DOG & ANIMAL BITES LAWYER IN ELMHURST, IL

Being the victim of an animal attack can be an extremely traumatic experience. Animal attacks can result in severe personal injuries and can leave lasting emotional trauma as well. In the state of Illinois, dog and animal attacks are governed by common law and statutory laws that aim to protect individuals who have been injured due to the negligent actions of other animal owners. If you or a loved one has been involved in a dog or animal attack, you could be entitled to compensation that can cover all of your medical expenses -- and you can't afford to delay taking action to ensure your needs are taken care of.

WHAT ARE THE LAWS SURROUNDING DOG BITES AND ANIMAL ATTACKS?

The Illinois Animal Control Act specifically states that if a dog or other animal injuries, attacks, or attempts to attack any person without provocation while that person is peacefully conducting themselves in a place where they are lawfully permitted to be, the owner of that dog or animal will be held liable in civil damages for the full amount of injuries sustained. This means that the owner of the animal, or potentially the individual who has the animal in their care, can be held responsible for any injuries suffered by someone in an attack.

WHAT TYPES OF INJURIES DOES THIS LAW PROTECT?

When someone is attacked by an animal, the injuries they sustain can be very unique depending on the type of animal that was involved in the attack. The severity of the injury can also vary depending on the size of the animal and how aggressive the attack was. Some possible injuries that you should be on the lookout for include:

• Facial cuts and lacerations

• Bone breaks and muscle tears

• Hand and arm lacerations

• Nerve damage from strong and severe bites

• Infection or contraction of the rabies virus

• Long-term scarring and tissue damage

IF I'VE BEEN ATTACKED, WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

After an animal attack, the most important thing to do is to seek immediate medical attention. Once you have received medical treatment, it's important to report the attack to both the animal owner and the local authorities. It's also important to document as much evidence of the attack as you can, including pictures or video of the animal, and the injuries sustained in the attack. If there were any witnesses to the attack, it will be helpful to obtain their name, address and phone number as well. Finally, you should get in touch with an attorney who has experience handling dog bite and animal attack cases to help ensure that your rights are being protected every step of the way.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an animal attack, don't face these struggles on your own. Call the Suburban Injury Law Group today to schedule a free consultation and let us help you get back on the road to recovery.