Jersey County Dog Bite Lawyer

Jersey County Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs are popular pets in Jersey County and throughout Illinois, and while most people have positive encounters with dogs, it is vital for everyone to know their rights if someone else’s dog suddenly attacks. If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a dog attack, you have the right to seek accountability from the dog owner and claim compensation for your losses. A Jersey County dog bite lawyer can assist you with these legal efforts.

Helping Animal Attack Victims Recover in Jersey County, IL

Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, has the experience you want on your side to navigate a complex dog bite claim in Jersey County. Our firm takes time to learn as much as we can about each client we represent, providing focused and individualized legal counsel for all stages of their recovery efforts. When you choose our firm for your legal representation, you will have a responsive legal advocate ready to address all your questions and concerns about your case.

Our goal in every personal injury suit we represent is maximum client recovery in the shortest possible timeframe. Success with a dog bite claim will require establishing strict liability for the owner of the dog and repelling any claims that you provoked the attack in some way. Dog attacks can potentially cause expensive damages, and the experience itself is highly traumatic. You should not be left to pay for the results of a dog owner’s failure to control their pet.

Building Your Dog Bite Claim in Jersey County

Success with a dog bite claim in Jersey County begins with establishing strict liability for the owner of the dog that bit you. Under the strict liability rule, a dog owner is fully responsible for all damages their pet causes to others, regardless of whether their dog has any history of attacking people. After a dog has attacked someone, it must be surrendered to quarantine for ten days, during which time it will be medically examined.

You will need to prove that you were legally present at the location where the attack occurred and that you did not provoke the attack to succeed with your dog bite claim. Once you have successfully asserted strict liability, your Jersey County personal injury lawyer can assist you in proving the full extent of the damages you suffered from the attack. You have the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages from the defendant.

Economic damages include direct financial losses like medical expenses and lost income if your injuries were severe enough to prevent you from working. Non-economic damages can include physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma resulting from the attack. There is no set formula you must use to calculate pain and suffering, nor does state law cap the amount you can receive.

Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, is ready to provide the compassionate legal counsel you need to navigate your impending dog bite claim successfully. Our goal is to help you approach the case with peace of mind and maximize your recovery in the most efficient manner.

Dog Bite Law FAQs

Q: What Is the Strict Liability Rule for Dog Bites?

A: The strict liability rule for dog bites in Illinois means that a dog owner is strictly liable for any damages their pet inflicts on someone else. If you were bit by someone else’s dog in Jersey County, you have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the attack. Your Jersey County dog bite lawyer can help ensure that you meet the criteria for a strict liability claim.

Q: What Are Defenses to Strict Liability for a Dog Bite?

A: There are two defenses to strict liability for a dog bite. These include trespassing and provocation. If the victim of a dog attack trespassed on private property and the property owner’s dog attacked them, it would nullify strict liability. Similarly, if the victim of the attack provoked the dog by being aggressive toward the owner or abusing the dog, strict liability would not apply in this situation.

Q: What Compensation Can I Claim in a Dog Bite Case?

A: The compensation you can claim in a dog bite case can include all economic losses you suffered because of the incident, along with pain and suffering compensation. The total value of a personal injury suit hinges on the extent and severity of the victim’s damages. Working with an experienced Jersey County dog bite lawyer can significantly improve your chance of maximizing the total compensation you win from the defendant.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Jersey County Dog Bite Lawyer?

A: You should hire a Jersey County dog bite lawyer because you will be significantly more likely to succeed with your claim with their help than you would be if you attempted to handle the case alone. The right attorney can help gather the evidence needed to prove strict liability, ensure that all your claimable damages are properly addressed in your claim, and streamline your proceedings to reduce the time it takes for you to recover your losses.

Q: What Are Attorneys’ Fees for a Jersey County Dog Bite Lawyer?

A: Attorneys’ fees for a Jersey County dog bite lawyer vary from attorney to attorney. Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, can provide legal counsel with no upfront fees, as per the contingency fee policy. Under this billing agreement, the client pays a percentage of their final award to their attorney as a fee, but only after they have won their case. There is no fee if the attorney is unable to obtain compensation for their client.

Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, offers comprehensive legal counsel for dog bite claims in Jersey County. We know how damaging these incidents can be, and our team will do everything we can to assist you in your recovery. You have a limited time to pursue compensation for your damages, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Jersey County dog bite lawyer to learn more about the legal services we provide.