What are the Defenses to an Illinois Dog Bite Lawsuit?

The Illinois Dog Bite Statute 510 ILCS 5/16 states:

“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”

To prove that the dog’s owner is liable, the dog bite attack victim would need to prove three things, which include:

• The dog or other animal attempted to attack, attacked, or injured the victim.
• The victim had a legal right to be in the place of the attack or injury.
• The dog or other animal was not provoked in any way.

Generally, there are two defenses that a dog owner may use following a dog bite attack: trespassing and provocation.

Illinois law requires that the injured party not be trespassing at the time of the dog bite attack. If it can be shown that the injured party was not legally permitted to be on the premises where the attack occurred, the dog’s owner may not be liable for any injuries or damages sustained.

Illinois’ dog bite statute also does not cover situations where the dog attacked due to some sort of provocation. If it can be shown that the victim in some way harassed, teased, or hurt the dog causing the bite, then the dog’s owner would not be held liable for any injuries the victim sustained.

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.

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.