This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on the handling of dog bite injuries in Peoria and other Illinois areas. I felt it was necessary to write on this topic as, for understandable reasons, many are not sure as to how they should proceed after they have been attacked by an animal. It is important that you take immediate steps to protect your rights in order to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. The goal of my recent articles has been two-fold. First, I wrote this series with the intention of providing information which will help people to better understand their situation. Second, it was my hope to provide information which will assist with the selection of a personal injury lawyer. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with an attorney.
I addressed multiple topics over my recent articles. Issues which I analyzed include:
- Establishing liability in a dog bite case
- Insurance coverage in dog bite cases
- How strict liability differs from conventional liability
- Litigating a dog bite case
There are multiple reasons why I chose to address these particular topics. First, while Illinois follows the doctrine of strict liability in a dog bite case, this does not mean that the defendant is automatically liable. It still must be shown that the victim did not provoke the dog, that they were lawfully in the place where they were bitten, and more. Second, many are unaware that homeowner’s insurance can be charged with compensating a dog bite victim. This means that one can often recover damages against a defendant who would otherwise by judgment proof. Third, understanding the differences between strict liability and conventional liability is important to understanding how long a case may take. Finally, understanding the process of litigating a case can help a Plaintiff to have reasonable expectations in regard to how long it may take to settle the matter or otherwise recover damages.
An important point I stressed in each of these articles is the need to retain an experienced attorney to assist you if you have been injured. Insurance companies will often attempt to claim that a) one is not injured as badly as they claim and/or b) that the dog attack is not what caused the injuries. Having experienced counsel can help you to present the best case possible to both insurance companies and, if necessary, the jury. I am a Peoria dog bite lawyer who has devoted his career to protecting those who have been injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact my office today to schedule an initial consultation. My office also serves the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
