Dog bites can cause serious injuries, scarring, and emotional trauma that disrupt your life and lead to mounting medical bills. Illinois law protects dog bite victims and provides compensation for losses, but the legal process can be complex and insurance companies rarely put your needs first.
Navigating your claim requires an attorney who knows how Illinois dog bite laws work and who always puts your best interests first. Contact Drafahl Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with a Belleville personal injury attorney.
St. Louis Attorney Nolan Drafahl Is Ready to Help
As co-founder of Drafahl Law Firm, Nolan Drafahl brings years of legal experience and a client-first mindset to each case. He has helped individuals and families across St. Louis, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, and throughout Missouri and Illinois secure meaningful results.
Outside of legal practice, Nolan is proud to serve the St. Louis area through local programs. He participates in Fox 2 News’ Call-A-Lawyer and holds a seat on the St. Louis Crisis Nursery’s Young Professionals Board. Schedule your free case consultation with Nolan or one of our attorneys today.
Awards & Memberships
Why Hire Drafahl Law Firm For Your Belleville Dog Bite Case?
If you’re considering legal action after a dog bite in Belleville, choosing the right law firm can make a major difference in your results and experience. Here’s why clients continue to choose us in these difficult situations:
- We have recovered millions of dollars for injured victims, proving our commitment and track record of success.
- Our firm has earned the trust of the community, as seen in more than 100 5-Star Google reviews from satisfied clients.
- Our services are affordable for everyone – we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- We intentionally limit the number of cases we accept, which allows us to give each client personal attention.
With Drafahl Law Firm on your side, you get a team that treats your recovery as a top priority and works tirelessly to deliver the maximum compensation you deserve.
How an Belleville Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You
A Belleville dog bite attorney can make a significant difference in your recovery and outcome after an attack. Here’s how legal help can benefit you:
- A lawyer gathers medical records, photographs, witness statements, and reports to document your injuries and losses.
- They calculate your full compensation, including medical costs, future treatments (like rabies shots or surgery), scarring, therapy for trauma, and lost wages.
- A legal professional will negotiate directly with insurance adjusters, who often try to minimize or deny dog bite claims.
- They will also prepare and file all legal documents and represent you if your case requires a lawsuit or trial.
Especially if the wounds proved to be fatal for a loved one, a knowledgeable Belleville wrongful death attorney ensures that no detail is overlooked and that your rights are protected at every step.
Contact a Belleville Dog Bite Attorney Today
Illinois Dog Bite Laws
Illinois applies a strict liability standard to dog bite cases, making it easier for victims to pursue compensation. Under this rule, a dog’s owner is automatically responsible if their dog bites, attacks, or injures. It doesn’t matter if the dog had no past aggressive behavior or whether the owner knew the dog could be aggressive. There is no requirement for the victim to prove the dog had bitten before or that the owner was negligent.
§ 16. Animal attacks or injuries. If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.
As long as you were lawfully present on the property and did not provoke the dog, the owner can be held liable for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from a dog bite.
Proving a Dog Bite Case
Proving a dog bite case in Illinois requires showing certain facts to the court in order to hold the dog’s owner legally responsible. Each element must be supported by evidence for your claim to succeed.
Proof of Injury
You must demonstrate that you were actually injured or harmed by the dog. Medical records, photos of wounds, or testimony from healthcare providers are typically used to clearly show the nature and extent of your injuries.
Showing the Owner’s Responsibility
It must be established that the person you are suing owns or was legally responsible for the dog at the time of the bite. This could include documentation, city pet records, or witness statements verifying ownership or custody.
Absence of Trespassing or Provocation
To have a valid claim, you need to show that you were lawfully on the property or in a public place when the bite occurred and that you did not provoke the dog. Evidence might include your own account, surveillance video, or testimony from witnesses present at the time.
Demonstrating Damages
You’ll have to provide evidence of your losses, such as medical bills, and link them directly to the bite incident.
Presenting the right evidence is critical in dog bite cases and greatly increases the chance that you’ll successfully recover damages.
Calculating Damages in a Dog Bite Case
Calculating damages in a dog bite case involves determining the full impact of the injury on your life, not just your out-of-pocket expenses. Courts and insurance companies look at several types of compensation when valuing your claim.
Medical Expenses
This includes immediate costs like emergency care, stitches, surgeries, medications, and the cost of treating infections. Future costs, such as physical therapy, scar reduction procedures, or psychological counseling, are also factored in. Lost
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries forced you to miss work or led to a permanent disability, you can claim lost wages. This also covers your lost future income if you’re unable to return to your previous job or working capacity.
Pain and Suffering
This category covers the physical pain as well as emotional effects like anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress caused by the attack. Sometimes this can also include compensation for any loss of enjoyment of life due to long-term scars, disability, or trauma.
Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses
You may also list costs for things like transportation to medical appointments, childcare during recovery, or help with regular tasks you can no longer do on your own.
Adding up all these forms of damages and clearly presenting them allows you to pursue the true value of your losses, helping ensure you’re fairly compensated after a dog bite.
Successfully Secured Compensation for Clients
Proven Case Results
$3,000,000 Compensation for Wrongful Death Case
$2,600,000 Recovered for Drunk Driving / Dram Shop Accident
$2,100,000 Settlement for Motorcycle Accident
Contact Drafahl Law Firm To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Belleville Dog Bite Attorney
Recovering from a dog attack is difficult, but getting legal help shouldn’t be. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge to help you get justice. We are ready to listen to your story and answer any questions you have. Reach out to get the help you deserve.
Contact Drafahl Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with a Belleville dog bite attorney.