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The team at Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Law helps victims hurt by dog attacks throughout the city. Our knowledge of Chicago dog bite laws gives injured people the best chance at fair compensation. Our attorneys know exactly how to handle these cases from the first medical visit through the final settlement. Learn more about the various types of compensation that could come from a dog bite case. Then, contact our personal injury lawyer to schedule a free case consultation.
Illinois has some of the strongest dog bite laws in the country, designed to protect victims and hold dog owners responsible. The Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16) clearly states that owners are liable when their dog attacks someone who had a legal right to be where the bite happened. This powerful law means bite victims don't need to prove the owner did anything wrong – just that their dog caused the injury.
Chicago has additional local ordinances that strengthen these protections and set rules for how dogs must be controlled in public. City rules require dogs to be leashed in public places and give Animal Control officers the power to impound dangerous dogs. These combined state and local laws create strong legal protection for people injured in bite incidents throughout Chicago.
Illinois uses a "strict liability" standard in dog bite cases, meaning owners are automatically responsible for injuries their dogs cause, regardless of whether they knew the dog might be dangerous. This legal approach differs from states that use a "one free bite" rule, where owners only become liable after learning their dog has aggressive tendencies.
Under Illinois law, it doesn't matter if the dog has never shown aggression before or if the owner took steps to prevent attacks. Once a bite happens, the owner becomes legally responsible for all resulting damages. This rule protects victims from the difficult task of proving what an owner knew about their dog's behavior.
Dog owners sometimes try to defend themselves by claiming they have no way of knowing their pet might bite someone. Our attorneys counter this defense by focusing on the clear language of Illinois law, which doesn't require any proof of previous aggression. This strict liability approach recognizes that all dogs have the potential to bite and places responsibility firmly on owners to control their pets.
"Owners" under Illinois bite law include not just the person who legally owns the dog, but anyone who keeps or cares for the animal. This broad definition covers landlords who allow dogs, dog walkers, pet sitters, kennel operators, and family members who temporarily watch a dog. Multiple people can sometimes be held responsible for the same bite incident.
The law requires these responsible parties to pay for all damages directly caused by their animal's behavior. This includes obvious costs like emergency room bills and follow-up medical care, plus harder-to-calculate damages like pain, scarring, and emotional trauma. Illinois courts have consistently upheld victims' rights to recover full compensation for both economic and non-economic damages in these cases.
While Illinois bite law strongly favors victims, certain exceptions exist that can limit or eliminate an owner's liability. These include situations where the injured person provoked the dog, was trespassing on private property, or assumed the risk of being bitten through their actions. Dog owners and insurance companies frequently try to use these exceptions to avoid paying fair compensation.
Trespassers who enter property without permission or legal right generally cannot file bite claims if injured by a guard dog. However, this defense doesn't apply to people with an implied invitation to enter the property, like mail carriers, delivery drivers, or meter readers. Children who wander onto property without permission receive special protection under Illinois law, as courts recognize they may not understand property boundaries or dog dangers.
Provocation occurs when someone does something that would reasonably cause a dog to attack, like hitting, taunting, or threatening the animal or its owner. What counts as provocation depends on the specific circumstances, including the dog's breed, the person's age, and exactly what happened before the bite. Police and military K9 units also enjoy special exemptions when dogs bite suspects during legitimate law enforcement activities.
We gather compelling evidence to build a strong case, including animal control reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos of your injuries. Our dog bite attorney works with plastic surgeons and mental health professionals who can testify about both the physical and emotional impacts of your injuries. We also investigate whether the dog had any history of aggression that the owner should have addressed.
Insurance companies often try to minimize dog bite claims by blaming victims or downplaying injuries. Our experienced legal team knows how to counter these tactics and negotiate from a position of strength based on our deep knowledge of Illinois dog bite law. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, though most settle once insurance companies realize we're ready to fight for what you truly deserve.
Yes, Illinois uses a strict liability standard that holds owners responsible regardless of their dog's history. The "one free bite" rule used in some states doesn't apply in Illinois, so owners are liable even for a dog's first bite.
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water if possible, then seek medical attention right away, even for seemingly minor bites. Identify the dog owner, get their contact and insurance information, and report the bite to Chicago Animal Control.
You generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim under the Illinois statute of limitations. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to compensation, so contacting an attorney promptly is important.
You can seek compensation for all medical costs, lost wages, future medical treatment, physical pain, emotional distress, permanent scarring, and any property damage caused during the attack. In cases involving particularly reckless owners, punitive damages might also be available.
Yes, you can file a claim even when the dog belongs to someone you know. These claims typically involve homeowners' or renters' insurance rather than personal assets, which can make the process less awkward. Our attorneys handle these sensitive situations diplomatically to preserve relationships.
At Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Law, we know how devastating a dog bite can be. Aggressive behavior from a dog should never be taken lightly. Let our Chicago dog bite lawyer fight for you. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.
