When you or a loved one is the victim of a dog bite injury, you may be entitled to compensation from the dog owner. When trying to determine if you should pursue your case after an injury, you should review a few key details surrounding the incident. In the state of Illinois, it is not required to prove negligence on part of the owner, but you do need to establish that the attack was not at fault of the victim. Here are some questions you should consider to evaluate your case:
- Who is the owner of the dog? The defendant in a dog bite case should be the dog’s legal owner. If the injury occurred while the dog was in the care of another party, such as a dog walker, the owner is still the party at fault.
- Was the attack provoked? The owner is not liable for a dog bite if the dog is provoked by the victim. Provocation may be intentional or unintentional. Any case where the victim was purposefully teasing or taunting the dog will most likely remove fault from the owner. However, instances where the victim accidentally aggravates the animal will be evaluated circumstantially. If the injured person was acting peacefully at the time of the incident, then the outcome will generally be in his or her favor.
- Was the victim allowed to be on the premises? In cases where the injured individual was trespassing, the dog bite will not be at the fault of the owner. Many dog bites occur in the owners’ homes, so it is important to establish that the victim was legally allowed to be there.
Shea Law Group can help you decide if your case entitles you to compensation. We offer free initial consultations, so call us at (773) 365-0040 to discuss the details of your case.
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