How To Prove A Dog Bite Was An Act of Aggression

Dogs may be man's best friend, but some dogs bite people and hurt them. This is normally the result of poor training. If a dog owner does not care for their dog properly, the dog can be taken from them. Part of caring for their dog properly is teaching them not to bite. It is also important to keep a dog on a leash whenever it goes out and to have fencing around a home that will keep pets inside. 

If you have been bitten by a dog in the state of Illinois, you may be able to sue the dog owner, but you will have two years to file this type of injury lawsuit. Some cities have ordinances preventing people from owning dogs that are considered to be dangerous.

There are also laws protecting dog owners because, given the right circumstances, any dog might bite. They might do it in self-defense if they are provoked or because they are in pain. Dogs are considered a member of the family by many people. 

Categories of Dog Bites

It can be helpful to learn more about dog bites. The more severe the bite you have experienced, the more likely you can sue the owner successfully. Dog bites fall into the following different categories:

• Absent

• Superficial

• Moderate

• Severe

• Deadly

If the dog left no mark at all, it would be considered an absent bite, and you will not have a case. A superficial bite may include teeth marks, scrapes, or very minor breakage of the skin. a moderate bite might include skin breakage or bleeding. A severe bite may result in scarring that may require stitches or surgery. In some cases, a person will die from a dog bite, although it is very rare. The majority of people that died from dog bites were bitten by pit bulls.

Proving Aggression

If you have been bitten by a dog and you believe that that dog was aggressive, there are a few things you can do to prove your case. 

If you are injured by security dogs at a business, they should have you fill out an accident report. They should also provide you with their insurance information.

If there is a security video on the property, you can use that as evidence. If you file a claim with the insurance company, you should inform the company that the security video exists. And if you are taking the dog owner to court, you can have your attorney subpoena the record of those security videos. 

If you are bitten by a dog in your neighborhood, you may want to speak to your neighbors and ask them if they have had similar experiences. They can function as witnesses for an insurance claim lawsuit if they have.

If anyone has observed the dog being treated in an abusive manner, you should ask them to give you a written statement saying so as well.  If you have noticed the dog being chained up or not fed properly, you should document that and get pictures if you can. Abuse will often cause aggressiveness in animals. 

If you were on private property or at a business without permission and were attacked by a dog, you might have trouble getting compensation. 

Document Your Injuries

Whenever you are injured in an accident, it is always very important to document your injuries. Save a copy of every medical bill you have and ask your doctor to write you a report. The report should include X-rays, and if your injuries require medication, you should save the receipts from any pills or shots you had to take.

If you had to miss work to receive treatment for a dog bite, you should get your employer to write you a letter stating the amount of money you have lost. If you are unable to do housework or drive, document your expenses for maid and Uber service. 

Finding an Attorney

If you file an insurance claim and they are not willing to pay what you need to get better, or if you need to file a wrongful death lawsuit, you will need a personal injury attorney. You should look for a law firm with years of experience in Illinois injury law and a great reputation with the public.

Getting bitten is never pleasant, but if you document your injuries and hire a good attorney, you can get the funds you need to heal.