How long after a dog bite can you sue? You have two years to file a claim for a dog bite if you were injured or a loved one was killed, but exceptions may exist for victims who have disabilities or are minors.
Postman Law reviews your situation to determine what limits apply to your case when you hire a Chicago dog bite injury lawyer to represent you during your claim.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Lawsuits and the Purpose They Serve
Statutes of limitations are intended to constrain the amount of time legal action can be taken. Without a deadline in place, claims could be delayed indefinitely, or the process could be drawn out unreasonably. As such, victims who intend to sue after a dog bite must begin their claim within two years of the event. To recover losses and protect your legal rights, it’s beneficial to start your claim while you’re still healing.
When you hire a lawyer, your case can progress without your direct involvement. For example, Postman Law can handle communications, logistics, evidence compilation, negotiations, and more. Initiating your claim as soon as possible after your injury also ensures that you don’t miss the statute of limitations and absorb the cost of your injuries yourself. This can be devastating when you’re at your most vulnerable.
While having a deadline on your dog bite injury case can be frustrating, it can be to your benefit. The strength of your case relies on evidence that shows that your injuries were caused by another person’s dog and that you have the right to file a claim. Physical evidence can degrade over time and memory gaps can develop, so early filing can help ensure the quality of your evidence is preserved.
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Exceptions to the General Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Injuries
When dog bites affect minors or individuals with disabilities, the normal statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-202) can be adjusted to meet the unique circumstances of the case. Suing for dog bite injuries in these situations is governed by 735 ILCS 5/13-211 instead. If this statute applies to you, consulting Postman Law can be valuable for understanding how to proceed and protect your rights.
When victims are minors at the time of sustaining a dog bite injury, their right to sue for compensation is paused since they don’t possess the capacity to make legal decisions. The statute of limitations unpauses when the minor turns 18, allowing them two years from this point to file a lawsuit for their injury.
Similarly, individuals who have a legal disability do not have the capacity to file a lawsuit. As such, the law provides that the statute of limitations does not go into effect until such time as they are no longer disabled.
Statute of Limitations That Apply to Dog Bite Injuries That Result in Wrongful Death
Dog bites can cause serious injury when penetrating the skin, which can cause irreparable damage, introduce bacteria, and put victims at risk of an infection. Sadly, some individuals can die from the severity of their injuries and complications. When this happens, a victim’s right to sue for a dog bite injury is transferred to the victim’s family.
The victim’s personal representative can pursue a wrongful death claim within two years of their loved one’s date of death, per 740 ILCS 180/2(d). Depending on when the victim died, this could extend the statute of limitations for a claim. Once a claim is initiated, a victim’s family member must provide evidence that their loved one was injured and killed because of a dog bite injury.
In these situations, hiring Postman Law can take the stress off of you and your family while you’re grieving. We prepare a claim that holds the property owner liable for your loved one’s loss of life so you can recover compensation. We can also help you navigate how comparative fault impacts your settlement in Illinois, as well as how we approach your case.
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Action and Evidence Can Protect Your Claim When Suing for a Dog Bite Injury
To help you navigate your case within the time period allowed by the law, you can take early action to streamline your case so it’s resolved more efficiently. Collecting as much evidence as you can now can help strengthen your case. This should include your medical records, photos, incident reports, the dog’s records, witness information or statements, and more.
Another way you can optimize your statute of limitations period is to hire a lawyer without delay. This allows you more time to navigate the ups and downs of your case, as well as get case results more quickly. It also allows your lawyer to take steps to preserve valuable evidence from being destroyed, such as surveillance camera footage and documentation from animal control and veterinarians.
Postman Law knows how quickly the time after an accident can go by. When you retain our services, we help you make full use of the time available to you. From the outset of your case, we prioritize you and what is most important in your case. Our team is united in our commitment to you and our efforts to build and pursue your claim. We help ensure you recover compensation to ease the impact of your dog bite injury.
Contact a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Chicago Today Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
Our firm can help you pursue a dog bite settlement before the statute of limitations expires. When you’re ready to initiate your claim, we begin work right away to protect your legal rights and the remaining timeline.
Dog bite injuries can have a lasting impact on your life, so let our attorneys help ensure you can recover. Seek information about Postman Law and your case when you contact us today.