Can I Recover Compensation For a Dog Attack Even if It Did Not Bite Me?

In any Illinois dog bite lawsuit, your focus should be on proving the essential elements of your claim. These generally include:

1. You had a legal right to be where you were when the bite or attack occurred
2. You were acting peacefully 
3. You did not provoke the dog
4. The dog injured you, and
5. The defendant is the dog’s owner

If you are injured by a dog in Illinois, then you could achieve recovery for the injuries that result assuming you were legally on the property and did not provoke the animal. But what can you recover in an Illinois dog bite case? 

First, you can receive financial compensation for the costs that the incident imposed. These include things like medical bills and lost wages, to name a few. Second, you can get awarded for intangible manner in which the attack changed you. For instance, you might suffer scars, long-term pain, and even disability because of the aggressive dog. All of these items are recoverable in an Illinois dog bite lawsuit. Third, you obtain punitive damages if the owner’s conduct was outrageous or extreme. An example where punitive damages might be warranted in this instance would be if the owner encouraged the bite or attack. Fourth, and finally, if the dog actually kills someone, then the family could pursue wrongful death damages against the owner for the costs and pain that the loss created in their lives.