Here For You And Your Family After A Dog Bite Injury
Dog attacks can be extremely distressing and disruptive. When you or your child has suffered a dog bite, you deserve dedicated legal support focused on pursuing the compensation you need to cope with what happened. Turn to our trusted dog bite attorneys at D&W Law Group.
We provide dog attack victims in Chicago, Cook County and the surrounding area with skilled, hands-on legal representation. With over 75 years of combined experience, our lawyers are deeply knowledgeable of Illinois dog bite law. We are here to guide you toward solutions that protect your future and family.
Understanding The Serious Nature Of Dog Bites
Dog bites can have serious impacts that last long into the future. For example, they could expose you to:
- Infection or disease: The introduction of new bacteria or viruses into your system could have severe, or even fatal, ramifications.
- Disfigurement or scarring: Major, visible scars on the face or body could impact your quality of life and require complex cosmetic surgery.
- Nerve damage: This can lead to loss of sensation or function.
- Fractures: Such bone breaks could temporarily or permanently limit your mobility and ability to do everyday activities.
- Knock-down injuries: The force of a dog attack could cause you to fall, potentially causing serious spine, neck or head injuries.
Such injuries can completely turn your life upside-down. You don’t have to find the path forward for you and your family alone. Let our skilled legal team help.
Protecting Your Health
Given the potential for serious injuries, it is important to act quickly to safeguard your health after a dog bite. This is the case even if the bite doesn’t seem serious at first. Threats like infection can sneak up on you.
If possible, you’ll want to perform some basic first aid right after the bite. This includes cleaning the wound with soap and water and applying a clean bandage to it. Then, it is important to seek medical attention to identify and determine the severity of the injuries from the bite and prevent complications.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Legal Rights After A Dog Attack?
From bills for complex medical treatments to missed time from work, dog bites can get very expensive. So, along with seeking appropriate medical care, it is extremely important to safeguard your rights regarding compensation after a bite. Steps you can take include:
- Getting the contact information of the dog’s owner
- Talking with witnesses and gathering their contact information
- Documenting the injury through things like taking photos, keeping a journal and gathering relevant medical records
- Promptly contacting a skilled dog bite attorney
Our team is here to help you understand your legal options, protect your rights and seek justice after a dog attack.
Does Illinois Law Impose Liability On Dog Owners For Dog Bite Injuries?
Illinois has a strict liability rule regarding dog bites. Under this system, a dog owner, regardless of their actions, is legally responsible when their dog bites someone.
This means that dog bite victims can pursue compensation from dog owners and their insurance companies without having to prove that owners were careless or reckless.
Does It Matter If It Was The Dog’s First Time Biting Someone?
Here in Illinois, no, it doesn’t matter, at least when it comes to liability. Unlike some states, Illinois does not have a “one bite” rule. So, the strict liability standard applies regardless of whether it was a dog’s first bite.
How Do You Know If You Have A Dog Bite Case?
It is important to note that, despite the state’s strict liability rules, not all dog bite victims are entitled to compensation. There are exceptions to the general rule of dog owner liability. Under state law, dog owners are not legally responsible for a dog bite if the victim was somewhere they weren’t legally allowed to be or unreasonably provoked the dog. Our skilled dog bite lawyers can help you understand if you have a strong case or could potentially face arguments that you fall into one of these exceptions.
How Long Do You Have To File A Claim Following A Dog Bite Injury?
The deadline for filing a lawsuit is called a statute of limitations. In Illinois, dog bites are covered by the same statute of limitations as general personal injury claims, which is two years following the injury. So, prompt legal action can be vital after a bite. Our firm can help you with filing a claim and taking other proactive steps to pursue justice.
What Compensation Is Available?
You may be able to seek various types of damages in a dog bite claim, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Getting all the damages you are entitled to can be critical to protecting your future after a dog bite. So, your claim should consider all current and potential future impacts of your injury. Our team can assist you with this and every other step of fighting for the full dog bite injury compensation you need.
Fighting Against Insurance Company Tactics
Seeking financial relief for a dog bite generally involves interacting with the dog owner’s insurance company. It is important to remember that such companies have their best interests, not yours, at heart. They may try to get you to agree to a lowball offer or engage in other tactics to reduce what they have to pay you.
So, it can be very risky to deal with such companies on your own. Putting skilled advocates on your side can be critical. Our firm is passionate about standing up for everyday people against the tactics of insurance companies. Our dog bite attorneys are here to tenaciously protect your rights, goals and best interests.
A Team With A Proven Track Record
There are many things it can be important to consider when choosing a firm to help you with your dog bite case. One is whether a firm has shown that its team knows what it takes to get results for clients. Our track record speaks volumes. We have obtained millions for injury victims. Let us put our experience and knowledge toward fighting for what you deserve.
Reach Out Today For Dedicated Advocacy
If an aggressive dog has bitten you or your child, get trusted help pursuing the compensation you and your family need. Our experienced, knowledgeable and compassionate dog bite attorneys are ready to help you in this challenging time. Get a free consultation with us to learn more. Contact us today by email or by phone at 312-888-8888. Our legal team is bilingual, speaking both Polish and English.