Champaign Dog Bite Lawyer

Champaign, IL is home to roughly 90,000 residents [1], and with a statewide dog ownership rate of 31% [2], estimates indicate there are roughly 27,000 dog owners in the city. With that many dogs in the area, you never know when an attack could occur. 

If you have been bitten by a dog and you believe the dog owner was negligent during the incident, get in touch with an experienced Champaign dog bite lawyer who can build a strong case for your compensation claim. 

The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is equipped to handle your dog bite case. No matter where the attack occurred, if the dog’s owner behaved negligently, you have the legal right to file a claim and pursue damages against them. 

The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer Following a Dog Attack

Common Dog Bite Injuries

A dog attack can result in a wide range of injuries. Sometimes, it depends on which dog breeds are involved since different breeds have different jaw strengths. No matter the severity of the dog bite injury, you should get in touch with an attorney to determine what your legal options are after the dog attacks you. In the worst circumstances, a dog bite could even lead to death. More common dog bite injuries include:

• Puncture wounds
• Open wounds
• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Infections
• Rabies
• Scarring
• Crush injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Muscle pain
• Nerve damage
• Permanent disability

What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog in Champaign, IL

You need to take care of yourself as quickly as possible after a dog bite occurs. 

First, deal with any severe injuries caused by the bite with immediate medical attention. Next, you should collect whatever evidence you can, such as photos, eyewitness accounts, and information about the dog owner. 

If necessary, you should call 911 to file an official police report and potentially Champaign County animal control. Finally, you should get in touch with a Champaign dog bite lawyer from our team for a free consultation about the incident. 

During this case evaluation, a legal professional will hear the details of your case to determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim. Then, you can decide if you want to work with our team on a contingency fee basis where we only get paid if we win the settlement.

Dog Bite Liability in Champaign, Illinois

Liability in incidents involving dog bites is somewhat complicated. Some states have a one-bite rule where dog owners can only be held liable for an attack if they have an awareness that the dog has the propensity to bite. Often, this means the first dog bite attack may not lead to liability because it falls under the umbrella of the one-bite rule. 

Illinois, however, has a strict liability statute, which means the dog’s owner can be held liable for any attack. 

There are a few exceptions to this rule. If the claimant was unlawfully on the owner’s property, then they are not protected. Additionally, if the dog is out in public and restrained and the claimant provoked the attack, the owner would also not be liable. 

For example, according to the Illinois Animal Control Act, an “at-large dog” is considered a canine that is away from the owner’s property and not restrained by a competent person. This scenario would certainly apply to a dog bite claim in a strict liability state like Illinois. 

Comparative Fault in Dog Bite Cases

Comparative fault is a legal doctrine assigning a percentage of blame to different parties involved in an accident. This percentage determines how much compensation a victim can claim after a dog bite attack. For dog bites, there could be a comparative fault if the claimant engaged in some sort of provocation toward the animal. 

However, if the owner failed to restrain their animal reasonably, then they are still partially liable. In Illinois, the injured party must be less than 50% responsible for the dog bite to be eligible for compensation. 

Statute of Limitations in Illinois for Dog Bite Claims

The standard statute of limitations for personal injury cases under Illinois law, including injuries caused by dog bites, is two years from the date of the incident. If you wait until after that two-year mark, you will be unable to file a claim to recover compensation. 

In general, it is crucial to file your claim as soon as possible after the animal attacks you to have the best chance of gathering strong evidence to support the claim. 

Damages a Champaign Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You Recover

If a dog bites you, it is likely that you are experiencing legal damages as a result. The two categories of damages are economic and non-economic. A dog bite may have even led to the wrongful death of a loved one, in which case you should immediately contact our Champaign wrongful death attorneys. 

Damages that can be recovered in either case include:

• Lost wages when you miss work
• Medical expenses, including for plastic surgery if needed
• Future medical expenses
• Funeral costs for a family member
• Therapy bills
• Emotional suffering
• Ongoing physical pain
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of quality of life

Contact Experienced Champaign Dog Bite Attorneys

When a dog bite attack upends your life because of serious injuries or even the death of a family member, it can be difficult to find answers. Dealing with the physical damage and emotional trauma is difficult enough, and in addition, you may have financial hardships of lost wages or expensive medical treatment. 

A dog bite lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can talk you through your legal options to file a claim and win compensation for these civil damages. Call our firm today at 888-424-5757 or fill out a contact form to get your free consultation. Our team will guide you through the claims process, protect your rights under Illinois law, and give you the best chance of winning your case against the dog’s owner. 

Resources:, [1] World Population Review: Illinois, [2] World Population Review: Pet Ownership