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How long do you have to report a dog bite?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Dog bites can be traumatic. If you or a loved one was the victim of a dog bite attack, you are likely dealing with serious injuries, possible scarring, multiple doctor visits and surgeries, and emotional trauma that is not only expensive and painful but makes healing and moving on from the incident difficult. If you are considering filing a lawsuit for your injuries and damages, you have a limited amount of time to do so, so it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you do not fall outside of the Illinois Statute of Limitations.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, and this includes working on your behalf to ensure a favorable settlement.

Illinois Dog Bite Statute of Limitations

Every state has a different statute of limitations regarding reporting dog bites and the filing of a lawsuit for your damages. For Illinois, this statute of limitations is two years from the time of the incident.

The Illinois statute regarding dog bites, 510 ILCS 5/16, states that to prove that a dog bite injury occurred, the victim must prove the following:

  • The dog or other animal attacked, or attempted to attack, or injured the victim;
  • The victim had a right to be in the location where they were attacked;
  • The dog or other animal was not provoked in any way.

This statute covers dog bite injuries as well as other injuries, such as being knocked down by a dog.

Reporting a Dog Bite

Every dog bite injury should be reported to authorities whether you intend to follow through with a lawsuit or not. Dog bites must be reported to authorities and a police report will aid in getting the treatment you need following a dog bite. Documentation of your injury will be important should you decide to file a claim and reporting a dog bite to the police will also allow animal control to intervene in the event that the dog is sickly or acting aggressively.

Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

To receive full compensation for your dog bite injuries, it is important to be represented by a dedicated and experienced personal injury lawyer. Financial compensation for your dog bite injury depends on a variety of factors including:

  • The extent of your injuries and associated medical bills;       
  • Long term medical treatment that may be required, including assistive devices, pain management, home assistance, and therapy;    
  • The insurance policy of the liable party;       
  • Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, including when you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7. 

 

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