Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer

An estimated 4.7 million Americans are bitten by a dog every year and of those bitten, as many as 800,000 people annually require medical treatment for the bites, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a dog attack, you may be able to receive compensation for the costs associated with those injuries and any suffering that you incurred by filing a dog bite case.

At TorHoerman Law, our experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers can help you get compensated for an animal-inflicted injury.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use our chatbot to receive a free, instant online case evaluation and find out if you are eligible for compensation through a Chicago dog bite lawsuit right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether insurance will cover your medical bills is dependent on many factors.

But, it is not uncommon for the dog’s owner’s house or rental insurance to cover instances of dog bites.

An attorney will be able to further explore that option for you.

More often than not, the dog’s owner will be held responsible for the dog bite simply because they were tasked with keeping the dog under control and failed to do so.

Yes.

Legally speaking, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to file a lawsuit.

The parents or guardian of the child will have to file a lawsuit on their behalf.

Table of Contents

Chicago Dog Bite Lawsuit Explained

If a person is bitten by a dog, there could potentially be a dog bite lawsuit claim.

While each situation is different, more than likely, if medical treatment was required or the attack caused significant harm, physical or mentally, the individual has grounds to file a lawsuit.

There is a specific statute in Illinois law that defines the qualifications to prove a dog or other animal owner is liable for a bite.

In order to qualify, the injured party must show that:

  1. The dog or other animal attacked, attempted to attack, or injured the person.
  2. The person had a lawful right to be in the place he or she was when attacked or injured.
  3. The dog or other animal was not provoked.

How Can I Prove Liability?

In Illinois, strict liability laws define all animal attack incidents.

Strict liability means that the owner of the animal cannot make the argument that he or she had no warning of the animal’s aggressive nature or likelihood of attacking another person or animal.

If the animal attacked another person or animal and was unprovoked, the owner is liable for the injuries sustained from the attack because technically, the dog is the owner’s property.

Under State of Illinois law, a dog bite victim is eligible for compensation under the doctrines of negligence, negligence per se, scienter, and intentional tort.

There is a special Illinois state statute regarding dog bites referred to as the “Animal Control Act.”

This statute makes the owner liable for any injuries to others, without negligence on the part of the defendant.

The statute defines these owners as:

  • “Any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him or her.”

The statute further explains the context of a situation in which a dog’s owner can be held liable, stating:

  • “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 to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”

Trespassers who are bitten by an animal within the boundaries of another person’s private property will likely not have a strong claim against the owner.

Individuals acting to provoke an animal is also not protected under the clause of plaintiff negligence and will likely not have a strong claim against the owner.

If the defendant acts with negligence, that is the defendant breaches a duty that he or she holds and that breach of duty results in another person’s injury, the defendant can be held liable for the injury.

Under the protection of negligence per se, the defendant is expected to follow any local laws and regulations regarding the animal’s care.

If the defendant breaches any expected duty under local regulations, the defendant can be held liable for the injury.

Example:

A local statute requires dogs to be on a leash at all times while in public.

However, a dog owner at the park allows his dog off the leash.

The dog, who is usually friendly, is engaged by a young boy who provokes the dog.

The dog bites the boy, who was obviously continually provoking the animal.

The owner could claim that the boy’s provocative actions resulted in the bite.

But because the owner had the dog off leash, he was not following local statutes and can, therefore, be held liable.

A Chicago dog bite lawyer can assist with a dog bite injury case and answer any questions you may have throughout the process.

Common Injuries From Dog Attacks

A serious bite is no joking matter, especially considering the sheer power a dog can have when biting someone.

20% of those who are bitten by dogs require medical attention, according to the CDC.

Typically, the most common victims are children. Common injuries are:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Scratches, bruising, or cuts
  • Tearing of the muscles
  • Fractures
  • Amputations, in rare cases
  • Head or skull injuries

The public information website, DogsBite.org, reports that the most severe of dog bite attacks can require “$250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care treatment.”

Reconstructive surgery is also often a requirement to fix the lasting damage from the attack.

Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer

At TorHoerman Law, our primary concern is our clients.

We want to make sure that you receive the help you need for any injuries you sustain from a dog bite.

You can trust a dog bite attorney Chicago will help guide you through the lawsuit process.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid $317.2 million for dog bite liability claims in one year alone.

The lawyers at TorHoerman Law can help you receive compensation for your injuries.

By filing a dog bite lawsuit, you could receive compensation for the damages you suffered, such as, but not limited to:

  • Medical treatment and corresponding medical bills
  • Plastic surgery to fix residual scarring
  • Physical therapy, if needed
  • Wages lost while off work to recover
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering

To learn more about a dog bite lawsuit, contact a TorHoerman Law Firm injury attorney for a free consultation.

We are here to help you through a difficult situation.  

DogsBite.org – Some Dogs Don’t Let Go, www.dogsbite.org/.

“Nonfatal Dog Bite-Related Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments — United States, 2001.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 July 2003, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5226a1.htm.

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RESULTS

More Than $4 Billion Awarded in Verdicts & Negotiated Settlements

$2.4
BILLION

ACTOS INJURY LAWSUIT
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$1.5
BILLION

SYNGENTA CORN LAWSUIT
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

$650
MILLION

PRADAXA INJURY LAWSUIT
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$103.8
MILLION

COX-2 INHIBITORS INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$20
MILLION

TOXIC TORT INJURY
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

$16.05
MILLION

ANTIDEPRESSANT INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$14.8
MILLION

ANTY-PSYCHOTIC DRUG INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$12.4
MILLION

BIRTH CONTROL BLOOD CLOT
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$11.9
MILLION

HORMONE REPLACEMENT INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$8
MILLION

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$4.6
MILLION

BLOATING DRUG INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$4
MILLION

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AT DAYCARE
PERSONAL INJURY

$3.4
MILLION

HEART SURGERY DRUG INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$2.9
MILLION

SGLT-2 INHIBITOR INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$2.8
MILLION

DEFECTIVE HEART DEVICE INJURY
MEDICAL DEVICE

$2.6
MILLION

POPCORN LUNG INJURY
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

$1.9
MILLION

TYPE 2 DIABETES DRUG INJURY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$1.65
MILLION

POWER MORCELLATORS INJURY
MEDICAL DEVICE

$1.5
MILLION

CAR ACCIDENT
PERSONAL INJURY

$900
THOUSAND

DEFECTIVE HIP REPLACEMENT
MEDICAL DEVICE

$800
THOUSAND

DAYCARE INJURY
PERSONAL INJURY

$403
THOUSAND

FLUOROQUINOLONES TENDON RUPTURE
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT

$300
THOUSAND

SLIP AND FALL
PERSONAL INJURY

$200
THOUSAND

DEFECTIVE HIP LAWSUIT
MEDICAL DEVICE

$150
THOUSAND

PHARMACEUTICAL MALPRACTICE INJURY
PERSONAL INJURY

$100
THOUSAND

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
PERSONAL INJURY

$100
THOUSAND

ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SHOULDER INJURY
PERSONAL INJURY

$100
THOUSAND

AUTO ACCIDENT
PERSONAL INJURY

$100
THOUSAND

DOG BITE INJURY
PERSONAL INJURY

$60
THOUSAND

SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT
PERSONAL INJURY

CLIENT REVIEWS

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Tom Lewis

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Jordan Terry

TorHoerman Law is an extraordinary law firm – a firm that truly makes the client’s best interests the primary concern. Their team of personal injury lawyers are experienced, personable, and well versed in a range of litigation areas. They are supported by a dedicated team of staff that are as equally friendly and helpful. I would recommend TorHoerman Law for any personal injury litigation needs.

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All of my questions were answered quickly and in a way I could understand. Steve and the entire staff were friendly and professional.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this webpage have been prepared by TorHoerman Law, LLC for informational purposes only. None of this information is intended as either legal or medical advice or opinions. No attorney/client relationship is established with use of this website. Sending or receiving information through this site, posting to our blogs/news site does not establish an attorney/client relationship. An attorney/client relationship with TorHoerman Law is established only by an express and written agreement by TorHoerman Law to represent you. Our attorneys make a case-by-case assessment of any claims and results may vary depending on the facts concerning any case. The attorneys at TorHoerman Law are licensed to practice in Illinois, Missouri, and California. In some circumstances, cases may be sent to other qualified lawyers. In those circumstances, TorHoerman Law maintains joint responsibility.