Dog bite injuries can be both physically and emotionally devastating. As Illinois personal injury attorneys, we’ve helped many victims across Antioch and throughout the state recover compensation after a serious dog attack. When someone is bitten on private property, whether at a friend’s home, a neighbor’s yard, or even while lawfully working on someone’s premises, the question of liability can become complex. Illinois law provides strong protections for victims, but liability often depends on the details of the incident and the victim’s legal right to be on the property.
Under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16), a dog owner is strictly liable for injuries caused by their animal if the victim was lawfully on the property and did not provoke the dog. The law does not require the dog to have a history of aggression or a previous bite. That means a first-time bite still exposes the owner to full civil liability.
The statute specifically states:
“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages.”
This means that even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression before, the owner can still be held legally and financially responsible.
Many dog bite cases center around whether the victim had a legal right to be on the property. Under Illinois law, someone is lawfully on a private property if:
If the victim was trespassing or committing a crime at the time, the dog owner may not be held liable under the Animal Control Act. However, each case is unique, and it’s our job to carefully investigate the facts to determine whether legal protections apply.
One of the few defenses available to dog owners in Illinois is provocation. If the victim provoked the dog in a way that would reasonably cause it to attack or defend itself, the owner may avoid liability. Provocation can include physical abuse or threatening behavior, but it must be more than accidental interaction. Courts look at the actions of the victim and the circumstances leading up to the bite to decide if provocation applies.
Our legal team carefully reviews every case, including witness statements, medical reports, and any available video or photo evidence, to evaluate the presence or absence of provocation.
In most cases, compensation for a dog bite injury comes from the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not directly from the owner’s personal finances. That means you may still be able to recover damages even if the dog belongs to a friend or relative. Claims can include compensation for:
We handle these cases with professionalism and discretion, especially when the liable dog owner is someone close to the victim.
Sometimes, property owners try to argue they were not the legal “owner” or “keeper” of the dog at the time of the incident. Under Illinois law, an “owner” includes anyone who has care, custody, or control of the dog. That could include roommates, family members, or even landlords in certain situations. The key is who had control over the animal when the bite occurred.
Our team works to gather all relevant evidence, such as text messages, veterinary records, and eyewitness accounts, to prove who had control over the dog and when.
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bite injuries. If you wait too long to file, you may lose your right to pursue compensation. Acting early also allows us to preserve vital evidence, contact witnesses while memories are fresh, and ensure you receive appropriate medical evaluations.
We know that dog bites can lead to serious infection, nerve damage, and long-term psychological harm. We take swift legal action to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were lawfully performing a job, such as delivering mail, reading a utility meter, or performing landscaping, then you are protected under the Illinois Animal Control Act. The property owner or dog owner may be liable for your injuries even if you were not personally invited onto the property. You should contact an attorney immediately to document your legal presence and collect any job-related records.
Yes. Illinois does not require proof that the dog had a history of aggression. The dog’s first bite is enough to hold the owner strictly liable as long as the victim was lawfully present and did not provoke the animal.
Provocation must be a clear action that causes the dog to reasonably feel threatened or in danger. This could include hitting, yelling aggressively, or attempting to take away the dog’s food. Accidental behavior or unintentional contact generally does not count as provocation. Each case depends on the facts and circumstances, and we investigate thoroughly before accepting the provocation defense as valid.
Yes. Most claims are paid by the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out of their personal pocket. This allows you to recover your medical expenses and other damages without straining your personal relationship. We work with sensitivity and confidentiality in these types of cases.
You may be entitled to compensation for emergency care, surgery, ongoing treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disfigurement. If the bite caused permanent damage, we will also pursue future costs and long-term rehabilitation. Children in particular may suffer from long-lasting trauma, which we take into account when building your claim.
We can investigate ownership and control through veterinary records, housing agreements, neighbor statements, and even security footage if available. Responsibility is not limited to the person whose name is on the vet file, the law looks at who had control over the dog at the time.
While it is possible to file a claim on your own, insurance companies often downplay injuries or deny liability. Having a skilled legal team gives you a strong advantage in negotiating fair compensation. We understand how Illinois dog bite laws work, and we have years of experience proving liability on behalf of injured clients.
At The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., we’ve successfully represented clients across Illinois in serious dog bite cases. If you or a loved one was injured by a dog on private property, we’re ready to help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation.
We represent clients from our office locations in Antioch, Waukegan, and Woodstock, and we’re proud to serve injury victims throughout the entire state of Illinois. Contact our Antioch dog bite lawyer at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., today at 847-395-2200 to schedule your free consultation. We are committed to protecting your rights and holding negligent dog owners accountable.
The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Office, have offices in Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Woodstock and Barrington. We represent clients throughout the communities of Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Barrington, Woodstock, Buffalo Grove, Deer Park, Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Round Lake, McHenry, Cary, Crystal Lake, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, North Chicago, Zion, Inverness, Palatine, Wauconda, Island Lake, Fox Lake, Barrington Hills, Spring Grove, Lake Bluff, Lakemoor, Long Grove, Lake Villa, Kildeer, Wadsworth, Indian Creek, Fox River Grove, Lindenhurst and other cities within Lake and McHenry Counties Illinois.
© 2025 The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, LLC., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Disclaimer
Powered By 
