Dog Bite Attorney Chicago, IL

A dog bite can be a terrifying and life-changing experience! It induces physical injuries, emotional scars, and unexpected medical expenses. Whatever the reason for the attack, you deserve justice more than just recovery. 

With the support of our knowledgeable Chicago dog bite lawyer, you can fight for the compensation needed to cover your lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing. Your road to recovery starts here!

How Do Our Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Help?

The question is often asked and the answer is straightforward. Pretty much everything! Here’s how Chicago Injury Lawyer helps with dog bite injuries:

Taking Action Against the Owner and Insurer

According to the Illinois Animal Control Act, owners of dogs are strictly liable regardless of whether they have shown aggression. Having our dog bite injury lawyer on your side will help you gather evidence, identify witnesses, and prove you were at the scene when the attack occurred. Generally, we avoid the dog owner’s insurance company because they offer unfair settlements. 

Compensation for Monetary Damage

To maximize your compensation, you’ll need to prove that the dog’s owner (and their insurer) is liable for the reasonable value of the damages. Getting the compensation you deserve under Illinois law will be easier with the assistance of our animal attack attorney in Chicago. Immediate costs like medical bills and long-term finance costs will also be included.

Calculating Medical Expenses

Based on attack severity, doctors may recommend surgery, physical therapy, & ongoing treatment for infection and scarring. Our Chicago dog attack lawyer ensures that all of your medical expenses are covered, containing:

• Medications
• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays
• Physical therapy
• Reconstructive surgeries

We’ll help you assemble all relevant medical bills and records to file a solid compensation claim.

Evaluating Pain and Suffering

Dog bite victims often suffer significant pain and suffering, including the trauma of the attack and the stress of recovery. Although these damages aren’t as easily measurable as medical bills, our lawyer will consider these. We will calculate pain and suffering based on factors, like injury severity, recovery time, and everyday attack effects.

Recovering Disfigurement Damages

Dog bites can cause permanent disfigurement and scarring, causing emotional distress and long-term health problems. In addition to medical expenses, our Chicago dog bites defense lawyer can help you recover damages to cover your mental and emotional impact of living with visible scars. We will work with medical experts to provide evidence of the disfigurement’s permanence.

Ensuring Financial Recovery

Injuries from dog bites can seriously impact your life, preventing you from working, enjoying hobbies, or maintaining relationships. These are irreplaceable losses of everyday life. Our dog bite claim attorney in Chicago analyzes how the injury has affected your everyday life, career, and quality of life. Our goal is to ensure your financial recovery represents the true impact of this attack on you.

Helping to Recover Emotional Harm

The emotional shock of dog bites can be subtle but can include anxiety, PTSD, or a newfound fear of dogs. Our Chicago dog bite lawyer will work with psychotherapists who can provide expert testimony about the psychological effects of the attack. Our legal representation will ensure that emotional injuries are taken seriously in your compensation claim.

Why Should You Choose Us for Such Cases?

As experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers, we regularly handle animal attack cases, including dog bites. Our injury attorneys are available 24/7 to assist you with your injury claim. You’ll get a FREE, no-obligation case evaluation. Whenever you cannot come to us, we will come to you. 

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for dog bite victims. Why don’t you contact us to discuss your legal options?

Chicago Dog Bite Liability Laws: What You Need to Know

Illinois has specific laws to protect victims of dog bites and hold pet owners accountable for the actions of their dogs. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, “A dog owner could be liable for their pet’s bites or attacks on someone, provided certain conditions are met.”

Key Aspects of Dog Bite Liability Laws

1. Strict Liability: Illinois follows a “strict liability” rule regarding dog bites. It means a dog owner can be held responsible for a bite or attack even if the dog has never shown aggressive behavior. Unlike some states that require evidence of a dog’s previous violent tendencies “one-bite rule”, Illinois law does not give the owner a free pass after the first incident.

2. Conditions for Liability: For a victim to recover damages under Illinois dog bite liability laws, they must prove:

• The dog attacked, attempted to attack, or injured them.
• They were lawfully on private or public property when the attack occurred. This proof includes being invited onto someone’s property or performing a legal duty, such as a postal worker delivering mail.
• They did not annoy the dog at all.

3. Time Limit (Statute of Limitations): In Illinois, victims have a limited time to file a claim for a dog bite injury. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases, along with dog bites, is two years from the date of the injury. Failing to file a claim within this timeframe may prevent the victim from receiving a settlement.

4. Compensation: If a victim can establish that the dog owner is liable, they may be qualified for compensation, covering medical expenses, missed wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the attack.

Our Chicago dog bite attorney can help you manage the legal process. So, do not delay if you or a loved one is attacked or bitten by a dog.

Can You Be Accused of Hitting the Dog?

You probably won’t face legal trouble for hitting a dog in self-defense during an attack if your response is appropriate to the threat. However, there are some important legal issues to keep in mind:

• Animal Cruelty Laws: Illinois law prohibits cruelty to animals under the Humane Care for Animals Act (510 ILCS 70). If your actions are deemed excessively harmful to the dog after the attack has ended, you could be accused of violating these laws. To avoid this, ensure that any force is limited to what is necessary to stop the attack.

• Potential Civil Liability: In some cases, the dog owner may attempt to claim that your actions encouraged the attack or used excessive force. It can lead to civil litigation, where the dog owner seeks compensation for injuries to the dog. As long as your response was reasonable self-defense, Illinois law will likely protect you from liability.

References Supporting Your Right to Self-Defense 

1. Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/7-1): Outlines the right to use force in self-defense, which applies to human and animal attacks as long as the force is reasonable.
2. Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16): Establishes strict liability for dog owners in dog bite cases and specifies that victims must not have provoked the dog. Still, self-defense during an attack is not considered a provocation.
3. Humane Care for Animals Act (510 ILCS 70): Prohibits cruelty to animals but allows for reasonable force to defend oneself from an animal attack.

Illinois law allows the victim to hit a dog in self-defense if it bites or attacks you. However, your actions must be reasonable and necessary for your protection. To know more, contact our professional dog bite lawyer in Chicago.  

Dog Bite Valuation: What Is Your Case Worth in Chicago?

Settlements for dog bites usually range from $30,000 to $75,000 for moderate injuries. It is possible to reach settlements exceeding $100,000 in cases involving extensive medical treatment, permanent scarring, or disability. 

Our Chicago personal injury lawyer for dog bites can assess your claim’s value accurately.

According to Illinois law, a dog’s owner is responsible for the full amount of the injury caused by the animal if it attacks or attempts to attack someone. The victims may be able to claim the following damages:

Medical Care:

If anyone is injured, all past and future medical expenses should be covered. Several thousand dollars may be needed to cover emergency care, hospitalization, and follow-up care. A patient with nerve damage, for example, may require ongoing physical therapy or surgery, which can be extremely expensive.

Lost Income:

Victims who are unable to return to work after suffering a dog bite injury should receive full compensation for the wages they would have earned. For example, if someone earned $45,000 a year and were unable to work for 2 months, they would lose $7,500.

Property Damage:

Victims should receive compensation for damages to their property. Therefore, if a dog attack damages a person’s laptop, jacket, or expensive necklace, they may be able to recover thousands of dollars.

Future Income Loss:

A permanent or temporary disability after a dog bite can affect a person’s ability to work. Therefore, compensation should be available for the loss of future income. For example, if they usually earned $50,000 a year but can now only earn $20,000 due to the injury, they would lose $30,000 annually. Over 10 years, this adds up to $300,000 in lost income. Compensation should cover this loss to help the person recover financially.

Pain and Suffering

Physical suffering and emotional trauma can be hard to calculate. However, these damages also affect a person’s quality of life. Victims may experience difficulties sleeping, have trouble managing their relationships, and cannot return to their normal routines. So, millions of dollars could be lost due to pain and suffering.

Most Dangerous Dog Breeds List That Caused the Most Fatal Attacks

Statistically, some breeds cause fatal or severe attacks more than others. Below is a list of dog breeds with a higher risk of dangerous or deadly attacks:

1. Pit Bulls 
2. Rottweilers 
3. German Shepherds 
4. American Bulldogs 
5. Huskies 
6. Doberman Pinschers 
7. Mastiffs 
8. Boxers 
9. Dogo Argentinos 
10. Chow Chows 

However, while breed-specific traits can influence behavior, remember that any dog can be risky if poorly trained, abused, or neglected.

The Legal Process for a Dog Bite in Chicago

Negotiating settlements and maintaining deadlines can be complex for a dog bite victim. However, understanding the legal process is crucial to protect your rights. Here’s how the Illinois legal process works for dog bite cases:

Statute of Limitations

Personal injury claims, including dog bites, are limited to two years from the date of the incident. You cannot recover damages if you don’t file a lawsuit within two years.

There are exceptions, such as for minors. For victims under 18, the two-year limit typically starts once they turn 18, giving them until 20 to file a claim. Our Chicago animal bite lawyer can help you file your claim on time.

Settlement Process

A brief overview of the settlement process follows:

• Investigation: Our attorney will gather evidence, such as witness statements, medical records, and photos of injuries, to build a strong case.

• Demand Letter: Following the investigation, your lawyer will send a demand letter outlining the injuries you suffered, the cost of medical treatment, and the compensation you seek.

• Negotiation: Insurance companies generally offer settlements after receiving a demand letter. If long-run care is necessary, your lawyer will negotiate to ensure the offer is fair and reflects the actual cost of your injuries.

• Legal Action: Accepting the offer will resolve the case if a fair settlement is reached. However, if negotiation fails or the settlement is too low, you can file a lawsuit to recover damages.

With our Chicago Lawyer, you can manage the process smoothly. Contact Chicago Injury Lawyer right away and claim fair compensation.

Dog Bite Statistics

Dog bites are a critical and increasingly common injury. The CDC reports approximately 4.7 million dog bites occurred last year, an average of 1,000 bites daily. Among all states, Illinois has the second-highest number of dog bites and attacks. 

Over $118 million was paid by State Farm Insurance Company for dog bite claims last year alone. Insurance Information Institute estimates over $37,000 was paid out in financial compensation for dog bite claims in 2015. 

As insurance companies enforce more rigid dog bite laws, costs from dog attacks can be lowered. However, more people are owning dogs in Illinois, meaning dog attacks are still likely to rise.

Having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side is crucial. Our Chicago dog bite victim lawyer takes these cases seriously and helps you get the due compensation.

How Can Dog Bites and Animal Attacks Cause Injuries?

If you have suffered from any of these injuries after being bitten or attacked by a dog, you should consult a physician:

• Lacerations and cuts
• Puncture wounds
• Broken bones
• Bone fractures
• Joint pain and swelling
• Infections (e.g., rabies, tetanus)
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Nerve damage
• Eye injuries
• Emotional trauma (e.g., anxiety, PTSD)
• Head and face injuries

Need Discussion and Advice? We Offer Free Consultation! 

Schedule a free consultation with our Dog Bite Lawyer. Chicago Injury Lawyer will review your case and advise you on what compensation you can get. No matter who was responsible, We’ll hold them accountable while you focus on recovering. 

Frequently Asked Questions