Important Questions to Ask Your Lawyer about Dog Bite Lawsuits

Last updated 3 months ago

Research shows that approximately one thousand Americans require emergency treatment for dog bites each day. When you’ve suffered a dog bite, it’s important to seek the best legal representation available. Prepare yourself for your first consultation with a dog bite lawyer with these important questions:

How Much Experience Do You Have?

Just because attorney’s state that they provide representation for injury cases doesn’t necessarily mean that they cover all types of personal injury. This means that you’ll want to ask your personal injury lawyer how much experience he or she has working with dog bite claims.

When Can I File a Claim Against the Owner?

The next question you’ll want to ask your lawyer is what requirements must be met in order for you to file a claim against the dog owner. In the state of Illinois, an individual can file a claim against the owner of any animal for sustained injuries regardless of whether or not they were caused by a bite. In addition, a personal injury claim can be filed without proving negligence on the part of the animal’s owner. Victims of animal injuries and dog bites may also be able to recover damages from other parties, such as the company owner that insured the location in which the injury occurred.

Am I Entitled to Damages?

Several things must be proven in order for a victim to receive damages from the owner of the animal. The victim must not only be able to prove that the injury was caused by the dog but that the defendant is the rightful owner of the animal. The victim must also prove that he or she was acting peacefully at the time of the injury, was legally allowed to be on the premises where the injury took place, and that the dog was not provoked.

Have you suffered an unprovoked dog bite? Get the legal representation you deserve for your personal injuries by contacting the Shea Law Group at (888) 529-4185.