Dogs are generally seen as loved family members. Whether they are pets, working dogs, or protection animals, most interactions with them are positive. However, under the care of negligent owners or caregivers, these interactions can become catastrophic in an instant. Having an experienced dog bite lawyer in Cicero will help you get full compensation for your injuries.
At Therman Law, we have over 75 years of combined experience. As your Cicero personal injury lawyer, we are here to make sure you get the justice you deserve. With us, you are not just another case number; you are someone who was victimized by another person’s negligence, and you deserve to be compensated.
What to Do After a Dog Attack
After a dog bite, tensions are high, adrenaline is rushing, and you may be quick to react. There are a few steps to take that will help protect the integrity of your claim, and a few things to avoid that may unintentionally harm it. After a dog attack:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. It is important that everyone is safe and injuries are properly tended to.
- If able, take pictures of the scene and your injuries or your child’s injuries.
- Get witness contact information, if possible. If the attack happened on private property, see if any neighbors saw or heard anything or if anyone else was at the residence.
- Write down as much detail as possible as soon as you can. Memories can fade or get distorted quickly, so the sooner you write them down, the more accurate they are likely to be.
- Contact a Cicero dog bite attorney immediately to learn your rights and the next best steps.
You have the right to representation before speaking with an insurance company. It may be in your best interests to exercise that right and refrain from making any informal or formal statements. Even a seemingly innocent statement could be misinterpreted as an admission of fault, thereby jeopardizing your claim.
You May Be Entitled to More Than You Think
The most common victims of dog bites are children. While anyone who is bitten deserves full damages, children’s cases may have higher financial stakes due to the lifelong physical and emotional trauma, disfigurement, and other permanent injuries.
An attorney can help you determine what expenses you can claim in a personal injury case.
- Medical expenses, including rehabilitation
- Lost income if you are unable to work
- Loss of future income
- Pain & suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
Working with a Cicero dog bite lawyer is one of the best ways to find out what sorts of damages you may be entitled to for your specific case. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay out of your own pocket for medical bills or lost wages.
Defenses That a Dog Bite Lawyer in Cicero Can Address
Dog bite cases can be especially tricky to fight in court. Unless there is video footage, many owners believe that they can blame the victim to avoid consequences. This is one of the many reasons it’s so important to document what happened as early as possible, while it’s still fresh in your memory.
A common argument that a dog owner may use is that you were trespassing. If this is the case, you must prove that you were there lawfully. This could be for reasons such as delivering a package, visiting with a friend with permission, or being on public property.
A defendant may also claim that the dog was provoked. This is one of the few times, according to Illinois state law (510 ILCS 5/16 from Ch. 8, par. 366), that the owner may not be entirely liable. There may be questionable circumstances that arise that your attorney can address.
Time to File Your Claim is Limited in Cicero
In Illinois, you have a limited amount of time that you can file for a dog bite injury claim before it becomes time-barred. You have two years before your case is outside of the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you may miss your opportunity to recover damages.
There are a few exceptions where the statute of limitations can be extended. These include whether the victim was a minor at the time of the attack or if the defendant is deemed unfit to stand. If a government entity owns the dog, the time to file can be reduced to one year, often requiring notice to be given within 180 days.
In addition to the laws requiring you to file quickly, contacting a dog bite lawyer will help strengthen your case. At Therman Law, we know the steps to take and the things to avoid to help build your case and ensure that the proper process is followed to help you receive the highest payout.
Why Local Representation Matters
Having a dog bite attorney in Cicero means you have a lawyer who knows Cook County. At Therman Law, our team has spent decades working with clients who have been injured in Cicero and the surrounding areas. We know the local insurance carriers and know their common defense tactics.
After a dog bite, you may be dealing with both physical and mental injuries, even worse if your child is the one who was attacked. We believe that you are entitled to every penny legally allowed and will advocate on your behalf to fight for those results. Schedule your no-obligation consultation to see why so many are saying, “Choose Charlie.”
