Bitten by a dog in Illinois? Learn your legal rights
We love dogs (seriously, we’re dog people!). But unfortunately, sometimes dogs bite. In Illinois, victims of dog attacks have strong legal protections under the Illinois Animal Control Act. If you or your child was bitten or attacked by a dog, you likely have legal options.
At 217 Law, we help dog bite victims across Illinois recover the financial, medical, and emotional compensation they deserve. We handle the legal battle so you can focus on healing.
Illinois law is favorable to dog bite victims
Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, a dog owner is generally strictly liable for any injury their animal causes, so long as:
You were lawfully present on the property where the incident occurred (not trespassing), and
You did not provoke the dog.
Strict liability generally means you don’t have to prove negligence or a prior history of aggression. This means that if a dog attacked you without legal justification, the owner will likely be held responsible under Illinois law.
Dog Bites & Children: What Parents Need to Know
Children are frequent victims of serious dog attacks. These incidents often happen at family gatherings, at the homes of friends, or in public spaces like parks. Aside from the physical scars, the emotional aftermath for a child can be profound and long-lasting.
We take special care when representing children in dog bite cases. We guide families through the legal process and fight for future-focused compensation.
Who Pays in a Dog Bite Case?
In most Illinois dog bite cases, the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance provides coverage. This can be true even if the attack occurred off the owner’s property. As a result, pursuing a claim often involves negotiating with an insurance company, not suing a friend or family member directly.
That said, insurance companies frequently try to minimize payouts or blame the victim. We work to ensure the full scope of your injuries and damages are accounted for — and we’re not afraid to go to court if they refuse to settle fairly.
217 Law Attorneys
-
Courtney Anderson
Courtney practices criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Never shy of a difficult or high-profile case, she has won numerous awards for her advocacy, including recently being selected as a finalist for top lawyer in Macon County.
-
Fallon Conner
Fallon practices criminal defense and family law. As a former prosecutor, she has unique insight into the criminal justice system. She enjoys being in the courtroom and has a great track record of success in bench and jury trials.
-
Zach Anderson
Zach focuses on helping injured clients with workers compensation, personal injury, and products liability claims. He has successfully resolved multiple single-party injury cases for over $1 million, and has helped recover millions for users of bad products.
We want to work with you.
Phone:
217-217-0217
Address:
132 S. Water St., Suite 628. Decatur, IL 62523
Email:
info@217law.com
Where We Work:
We help clients throughout the 217 area code with injury claims and general civil litigation. We practice criminal defense and family law in Macon and surrounding counties.
