Every Chicago dog bite case is unique, but you can expect the same fight every victim faces: expenses related to your injuries and accident. There will be medical bills, you might have to take time off from work, and you’ll be trying to recover from your injuries.
The best dog bite lawyers understand the issues you’re facing. They’ll listen to you, work with you to outline your goals, and give you clear and direct advice. Your Chicago dog bite lawyer should work for you, not themselves.
Our Chicago dog bite accident attorneys fight every day for our clients hurt in crashes. We’ve handled all kinds of personal injury claims. We’ve helped good people deal with their catastrophic injuries and helped them recover millions in compensation.
We’ve made thousands heard, and we’ll do it for you, too.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) report there are around 4.5 million people bitten by dogs every year. Around 800,000 of those victims need medical care. There are about 43 fatalities because of dog bites a year, and that number has risen in recent years.
Those statistics might make dog bites appear non-serious, but don’t be fooled. Dog bites can cause extensive medical care, trauma, or other damages. Getting compensation from a negligent dog owner is crucial to recovering from your losses.
Here’s how the Staver team can help you fight for the compensation you deserve:
Dog bite injury claims are built on evidence. We’ll discuss the details of your attack, investigate the events that led up to it, collect evidence, and identify the at-fault party. Dog bites can be complex because of several factors, like where the attack happened and if the dog was provoked.
Dog bite insurance claims and lawsuits are based on negligence, meaning the owner acted unreasonably and you were harmed as a result. There are strict liability laws in place, protecting victims’ rights to regain compensation.
We won’t waste time and start finding the total amount of damages you experienced after a dog bite. We’ll total the full financial effect of your injuries, finding the economic and non-economic losses available.
Your economic losses are the out-of-pocket expenses you experience after a dog bite. Medical bills, lost wages, or even damaged property are some of the eligible damages you can seek compensation for. Your non-economic losses are conceptual damages you experienced because of your injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the more prominent damages you might experience after a dog bite.
Explore a more detailed run-down of available damages in a Chicago dog bite injury claim.
Once the Staver team calculates your losses, we’ll send a demand to the at-fault party’s insurance company. They are not likely to give you the money you deserve without a fight. We’re ready for the battle.
We’ll aggressively negotiate on your behalf to hold all guilty parties accountable for your damages. We won’t accept lowball offers. We’re prepared to pursue a lawsuit in court if that’s necessary for your recovery.
After a dog bite or vicious animal attack, your recovery is crucial to returning to your life before the attack. You shouldn’t have to concern yourself with fighting against an insurance company who won’t give you the settlement you deserve. We will handle all communications and necessary court filings on your behalf.
We keep it transparent. We’ll explain how your case is going, what’s happening, and make sure you know your options every step of the way. Not every case needs to go to court, but we prepare for that possibility to show that we mean business and to give you a fighting chance if we need a lawsuit. We believe in getting our clients the compensation they deserve, and that includes you.
Don’t hesitate to call the Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., today. Take advantage of our free consultations.
Accident attorney Jared Staver explains the importance of finding a capable and qualified personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one are hurt in a Chicago dog bite accident, you deserve qualified representation to hold all liable parties responsible. The Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., are located in Downtown Chicago. Our main office is in the Republic Bank Building, next to St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Call today to schedule your free initial consultation.
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Our awards are a testament to our ability to help you like we’ve helped our clients. With each new award, we cement our position as leaders helping Chicago’s dog bite victims. Our business rating speaks to our commitment to our clients. Our position in the top 100 trial lawyers of America shows we’re tough opponents fighting for our clients.
A dog doesn’t need to be considered vicious to attack someone, but their owner should still be held accountable. Dog bites sometimes happen unexpectedly, but that doesn’t mean you should suffer for the owner’s negligence.
These key points can help you protect your rights in a dog bite claim in Chicago or throughout the state.
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Under Illinois state law, the victim of a dog bite has two years from the date of the bite to bring a case against the responsible party. It’s highly recommended that you move forward with a case as soon as possible after the bite, as evidence may degrade or get lost over time and weaken your case.
When someone else is responsible for your or a loved one’s dog bite-related injuries, you have the right to be compensated. A full and fair insurance settlement should consider how your life has been affected, including both your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include:
The non-economic damages associated with dog bites are harder to value but should be considered.
The severity of your injuries following a serious dog attack significantly impacts the value of your claim. It’s important to keep up with medical treatment and document your recovery. This includes medical bills, treatment documents, and insurance info.
Here are some of the most common injuries we see after dog bites:
The Illinois Animal Control Act governs dog bite injuries and other attacks. It states if a dangerous dog attacks an individual who is peaceably conducting themselves in a place where they are permitted to be without provocation, the owner is liable for civil damages.
Illinois has strict liability statutes in place. An owner cannot avoid civil damages by arguing that they did not know of their dog’s aggressive tendencies or that they had no warning of the dog’s ability to cause harm.
Regardless of the owner’s knowledge or the dog’s previous behavior, the owner is entirely responsible for the harm caused by a dog bite.
While the owner is liable for damage caused by their dog, the insurance company often ends up covering the damages associated with an attack.
In some cases, homeowners or renters do not inform their insurance provider that they own a dog. This is often the case when having a dog would lead to an increase in insurance rates.
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As a result, the insurance company may refuse to pay for damages caused by the dog, particularly if the policy excludes certain breeds like pit bulls or Rottweilers. If coverage is denied, the dog owner may be personally responsible for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages, which can make recovering full compensation much more difficult.
Insurance companies might also argue that you were trespassing or provoked the dog in an attempt to avoid paying your claim. This is why it’s critical to work with an experienced dog bite lawyer. An attorney can investigate the incident, challenge baseless defenses, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Without skilled legal representation, you risk accepting a settlement that is far lower than the true value of your injuries—or worse, receiving nothing at all.
Illinois is not a “one-bite” state. In some states, owners are not held responsible for their dog’s actions until after the dog has bitten someone once — a system known as the “one-bite rule.” Under that approach, a dog essentially gets a free pass for its first incident.
However, in Illinois, dog owners are strictly liable from the very first bite or attack. This means an owner can be held responsible for your injuries even if the dog had never shown any previous signs of aggression. Victims do not need to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous — only that they were lawfully in the place where the attack occurred and were injured as a result.
There have been many studies regarding dangerous dog breeds. Although people are often the most afraid of pit bulls, German shepherds, and Rottweilers, small dogs are just as liable to attack. It is easier to defend against a Chihuahua attack than it is when a large dog attacks.
That’s why large dog bites often cause more damage. Despite what breed attacked you, an attorney can help you get money to cover your losses.
According to a Forbes study, children aged five to nine are the most likely to be attacked by a dog. Males are more likely to be attacked than women, and Illinois had the seventh highest rate of dog attacks in the US.
We cover the whole of the Chicagoland area: Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan.
CONTACT US TODAYWhen you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
We understand you’re under financial pressure. After a Chicago dog bite, you’ll need a substantial settlement to cover your expenses, including non-monetary damages like pain and suffering. That’s where Staver steps in. Let us strengthen your accident claim and pursue EVERYTHING you’re owed.
