Dog bites are a common occurrence in the U.S. 4.5 million people become victims each year, and of that number, 800,000 are hurt badly enough to need medical care. Someone in this position may be overwhelmed at the idea of filing a legal claim, but they should take care to exercise their rights. Below are several facts on dog bite law and victims’ legal options.
The Basics of Dog Bite Laws
There are no universal rules applied to dog bites, as laws vary widely by jurisdiction. If a person is a victim, the most important step they can take is to call a Dog Bite Attorney in Loves Park IL to learn the area’s laws. Generally, victims can recover damages from an animal’s owner if they can document the following.
- That the bite happened outside and the dog wasn’t leashed
- That the animal has a history of biting others
- That the bite occurred due to negligence
If a dog is under the supervision of someone other than its owner, that person can still be held liable for a victim’s damages.
Statutory Liability
Most jurisdictions, including this one, have strict liability laws. These laws say that, if the victim can prove that the dog caused their injuries, the dog’s owner must pay compensation whether or not precautions were taken. This is typically the easiest way for a victim to get compensation, as it doesn’t accuse the dog’s owner of any wrongdoing.
Negligence
Here, the term refers to an owner’s failure to control his or her animal. This may include an owner who allows a dog to roam off its leash, but it may involve faulty fencing on the owner’s property. In either case, if a dog runs free and bites a person, the owner is considered negligent.
Compensation for Victims
Most dog bite laws state that victims can receive full compensation for their injuries. Such compensation may include:
- Payment of incident-related medical bills
- Physical and mental distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Lost income and future earning potential
- Diminished quality of life
- Cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of the injured area
- Psychological therapy
In some jurisdictions, the law limits a victim’s compensation to his or her medical bills. In other areas, there’s a limit placed on the amount a victim may receive.
