Dog Bites

A dog attack is a frightening and painful experience, often leaving both physical and emotional scars. For instance, one moment you are enjoying a walk, and the next, you are dealing with a serious injury. If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, you certainly don’t have to face the consequences alone. At Rochford & Associates, our experienced Peoria dog bite lawyers understand the trauma that an attack can cause. We provide the strong legal representation you need to get your life back on track.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite

After an attack, your priority should be your health and safety. In addition, taking the following steps can protect your legal rights:

Seek Medical Attention – First, prioritize your health. Dog bites can cause deep puncture wounds, tearing, and serious infections. Therefore, you should go to an emergency room or urgent care center right away and follow all medical advice.
Identify the Dog and Owner – If possible, try to get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner. Also, make a note of the dog’s breed and appearance.
Report the Bite – Next, contact the Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) or local police. This allows you to file an official report, which creates a legal record of the incident.
Document Everything – Be sure to take photos of your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog if it is safe to do so. You should also write down everything you remember about what happened.
Speak to an Attorney – Before you talk to the dog owner’s insurance company, contact one of our lawyers. An attorney can protect you from lowball settlement offers and ensure your rights are protected.

Understanding Illinois’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

Fortunately for victims, Illinois has a “strict liability” law for dog bites. This law means that if a dog injures someone who is legally on the property, the owner is responsible for all damages. Moreover, you do not have to prove the owner was careless or knew their dog was dangerous. Simply put, if the dog caused your injury, the owner is liable. This legal protection, therefore, allows you to focus on your recovery while a dedicated Peoria dog bite lawyer handles the fight for your compensation.

How a Peoria Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You

Navigating the legal system after an injury is often overwhelming. However, you don’t have to do it alone. The team at Rochford & Associates is known throughout Illinois for its dedicated and effective approach to personal injury cases. Specifically, we handle all the legal details, allowing you to focus on your healing.

When you hire a Peoria dog bite lawyer from our firm, you can expect us to:

Conduct a Thorough Investigation – We will gather all the facts about the attack, including animal control reports, medical records, and witness statements.
Calculate Your Total Damages – Our team works to identify all your losses. These include medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and compensation for pain, suffering, and scarring.
Handle Insurance Companies – We will manage all communication and negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance provider to secure a fair settlement.
Provide Expert Legal Guidance – We will clearly explain your rights and options in simple terms. This empowers you to make the best decisions for your case.
Represent You in Court: Finally, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for you.

Call Rochford & Associates for a Free Consultation

You should not have to carry the financial burden of an injury that someone else’s pet caused. If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, call Rochford & Associates at 309-637-5322 for a free, confidential consultation. You deserve compensation for your injuries, and we can help you secure the justice you are entitled to.

Trusted in Illinois for Over 35 Years

“The Jim Rochford & Associates law firm was extremely helpful in resolving a very difficult and sensitive situation in a federal lawsuit against a school. Tim Cushing served as the lead attorney, and worked closely with Jim Rochford. Attorney Nick Rochford also provided very valuable counsel. On a personal level, they were responsive and easy to communicate with throughout the entire process. They were also patient, always available to answer questions, and provided objective legal advice that I knew I could trust. Their attention to detail and knowledge of laws are unsurpassed. In addition, the firm has highly professional and helpful support staff, including Deb Rochford and Mary Thomas, and a network of specialized experts that they collaborate with to provide comprehensive legal solutions. After working with this law firm, I strongly recommend them to anyone needing an extremely responsive law firm that will work tirelessly to protect their clients’ interests. They are highly respected in the legal community, and I would trust them with any legal situation – personal or business.”

Appreciative Client

“Could not have asked for a better experience! Both the attorneys and staff were extremely professional in the handling of my case. They represented me on my worker’s compensation case that was from a summer job in another state. They helped me get a great settlement and it did not take very long either. I would highly recommend Jim Rochford as an attorney for anyone. One thing that stood out about him was I truly believe he always had my best interest at heart.”

Allie Caruso

“I am somewhat late in writing this but team Rochford went above and beyond my expectations while assisting me with my fathers estate after his passing. We unfortunately had a squatter in his home during covid which we were able to successfully remove with the assistance of Tim Cushing’s letters and the PCPD. They really made us feel like family and at no point did I ever feel they were seeking to take advantage of the situation for profit. I would gladly give 6 stars!”

Kyle

“I have dealt with this attorney for years and they always take care of me and my family. I highly recommend this company for all injury cases. They go above and beyond. 5 stars.”

Skytece Armstrong

“Jim, Time and Nick are great at what they do. They work well as a team, using each persons strengths to solve your problems. They represent us in all types of business law matters. Highly recommended!!!”

Joseph Walters

“Tim Cushing is an incredible family law attorney. He has worked effortlessly for my children. Jim Rochford and his lovely wife, Deb, have been supportive and are as invested in my children as I am. Even the paralegal, Mary, puts her heart and soul into everything. I cannot stress to you how amazing this Law Firm has been to my little family. If you are in need of an attorney, don’t hesitate to give them a call. They specialize in many different aspects of the law and will put you with an attorney who is a great fit!”

Kate Elliott

“I highly recommend! Nick and Jim were amazing attorney to work with. They kept an open line of communication and I was involved with the case the whole time. They were always available to answer any questions or when I needed an update on where we were at in the process.”