If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog in Chicago, the experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you get financial compensation for your injuries.
Dog bites can cause serious scarring and long-term pain, so it is important to seek legal help if you have been affected. A dog attack is a terrifying event that can leave you with physical and emotional scars.
If you have been bitten by a dog in Chicago, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Once you have been seen by a medical professional, you should contact a Chicago dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC has a proven track record of success in personal injury cases, and will work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation possible. Contact us today for a free consultation.
In this Article
Chicago, Illinois Dog Bite Laws
According to Illinois law, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. This means that if you have been injured by a dog in Chicago, you may be able to recover compensation from the owner, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
The Illinois Animal Control Act
Under Illinois law (510 ILCS 5/16), also known as the Illinois Animal Control Act, the owner of any animal that attacks, attempts to attack, or injures another person without provocation is strictly liable for the damages suffered by the victim. This includes injuries caused by a dog bite, as well as other injuries inflicted by an animal.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however. If the victim was trespassing on the property where the animal was kept, or if the victim was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the animal, the owner may not be held liable. Additionally, if the animal was a police dog that was performing its duties at the time of the incident, the owner is not liable.
What is Considered a “Dangerous Dog?”
According to the Illinois Animal Control Act, an animal can be determined to be a “dangerous dog” if it has inflicted serious physical injury on a person without provocation. If an animal is determined to be a dangerous dog, the owner must pay a $50 fine, have the dog microchipped, and spayed or neutered if it isn’t already. They may also be ordered to take the dog to a behaviorist for training or keep it muzzled and under direct adult supervision in public. Dangerous dogs are also required to be kept leashed in public.
Legal Consequences to the Owner of a “Dangerous Dog”
If the owner of a dangerous dog knowingly fails to follow any of the orders regarding the dog and it inflicts serious injury on someone or another pet, the owner will be guilty of a Class 4 felony. If the owner doesn’t comply to the orders and their dog kills someone, they will be guilty of a Class 3 felony.
What is a “Potentially Dangerous Dog?”
Illinois law also recognized a “potentially dangerous dog.” This refers to a dog found unsupervised and running at large with three or more other dogs. In this circumstance, the animal control warden can deem the animal a “potentially dangerous dog.” The animal must be spayed or neutered and microchipped by the owner within 14 days of reclaiming it. This designation will last for 12 months and an owner that doesn’t comply may face a $500 fine or have their dog impounded.
“One Bite” Rules
When it comes to determining liability in a dog bite case, you may have heard of the term “one bite rule.” Many states have adopted this rule, which basically says that a dog owner is only liable if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. “One bite” refers to the fact that the owner is only held liable if the dog has bitten someone in the past.
Illinois Dog Owners are Strictly Liable
However, Illinois is not a “one bite” state. As mentioned above, dog owners in Illinois are strictly liable for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. This means that if you have been injured by a dog in Chicago, you may be able to recover compensation from the owner, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
An experienced Chicago dog bite attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you determine whether you are eligible for compensation under Illinois law. Contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss dog bite claims.
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in Chicago
If you have been injured by a dog in Chicago, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The amount of compensation you are entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries, as well as other factors.
Some common types of compensation in dog bite cases include:
Medical Bills
When a dog attacks and bites a victim, the victim often incurs significant medical bills for treatment, including emergency room care, hospitalization, surgery, and more. If the victim is left with permanent scarring or disabilities, they may also incur future medical expenses. The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you recover compensation for all of your past and future medical bills.
Lost Wages
If you have been injured by a dog bite, you may be unable to work while you recover. This can result in a loss of income and financial stability for you and your family. The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you recover compensation for your lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
Dog bites can cause physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological anguish. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.
Wrongful Death
Especially in the case of dog attacks involving small children, wrongful death is a very tragic possible outcome. In the event that you have lost a loved one, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss including funeral and burial expenses and more.
How to Find Out What Your Case May Be Worth
The amount of compensation you are eligible to receive will depend on the specific facts of your case. The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you determine what types of compensation you may be entitled to and fight for the maximum amount of compensation available under the law for dog bite cases.
Common Types of Injuries Suffered in a Dog Attack
Dog attacks can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which are very serious. Many dog bite victims require ongoing medical treatment and reconstructive surgery. Some common types of serious injuries that can be sustained in a dog attack include:
Punctures – Punctures are one of the most common types of injuries suffered in a dog attack. A dog’s teeth can puncture the skin and cause deep wounds.
Lacerations – Lacerations are cuts or tears in the skin that can be caused by a dog’s teeth or claws.
Contusions – A contusion is a bruise that is caused by the impact of a dog’s body against the victim’s body.
Fractures – Fractures can occur when a dog knocks a victim down or jumps on them, causing the victim to fall and break a bone.
Internal injuries – Internal injuries can occur when a dog’s teeth or claws puncture the victim’s organs.
Emotional trauma – Dog attacks can cause severe emotional distress, especially in children. Dog bite victims that have sustained life threatening injuries may suffer from anxiety, fear, nightmares, and more.
Dog Bite Levels
The Association of Professional Dog Trainers has established the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale to describe the levels of severity of dog bites. The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale has five levels, ranging from Level 1 (mild) to Level 6 (severe injury resulting in death).
Level 1 – A dog exhibits aggressive behavior but has no contact with their teeth on skin.
Level 2 – A dog bites and there is teeth contact on skin, but no puncturing of the skin. There may be some bleeding due to the forward and back movement of the teeth on the skin but no vertical punctures and nothing deeper than a tenth of an inch.
Level 3 – The dog bites and there are one to four puncture wounds but none of them are deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. There may be lacerations caused by the dog bite victim pulling back or the owner pulling the dog away.
Level 4 – The dog bites and there are one to four punctures with at least one wound deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. There may be deep bruising because the dog held on or lacerations in both directions from the dog shaking it’s head while holding on.
Level 5 – The dog bites multiple times and there are at least two level 4 bites or the dog attacks multiple times with at least one level 4 bite each time.
Level 6 – The victim is killed in the attack.
The severity of the injuries suffered in a dog attack will depend on many factors, including the size of the dog, the type of breed, and more. The experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you determine whether you are eligible for compensation for your injuries.
Seek Medical Attention and Get Legal Help
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Dog bites can result in serious infections, scarring, and more. An experienced Chicago dog bite attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you get the compensation you need and deserve for your dog bite injury. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation. We do not charge any fees to dog bite victims unless we recover compensation for you.
What to Do After a Dog Attack
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog attack, there are some important steps you should take to protect your legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Dog bites can result in serious infections, scarring, and more. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the attack.
Get the Name and Contact Information of the Dog’s Owner
It is important to get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner so that you can file a report with animal control and so that you can reach out to them if you need to.
Report the Bite to the Police or the Cook County Sheriff’s Office
The police will complete a Cook County Bite Report that will be submitted to the Animal and Rabies control office.
Get the Names and Contact Information of Any Witnesses
Witnesses can be important in proving your case.
Document the Injuries
Pictures and video can be very helpful in proving your case.
Contact a Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer
An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you get the compensation you need and deserve for your dog bite injury. The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help. We offer a free consultation with a dog bite attorney and we do not charge any fees unless we recover financial compensation for you.
The Kryder Law Group Can Help
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog in Chicago, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. The experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you get the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation. We do not charge any fees unless we recover compensation for your dog bite injury claims.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite claim in Illinois?
A “statute of limitations” is a law that sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury. This means that if you are bitten by a dog and you want to file a lawsuit, you must do so within two years of the date of the attack. If you wait longer than two years, you will not be able to file a dog bite lawsuit.
Ask a Lawyer if the Statute of Limitations Applies to Your Case
The statute of limitations can be complex, so it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible after the attack. The experienced Chicago dog bite injury lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you understand the statute of limitations and ensure that your case is filed in time. Contact our personal injury law firm today for a free consultation. We do not charge any fees in a dog bite injury claim unless we recover compensation for you.
Two Common Legal Defenses for Dog Owners
There are two common legal defenses that dog owners may use to try to avoid liability for a dog bite.
Provocation
The dog owner may try to claim that the victim provoked the dog into biting them. This may be true if the victim was taunting the dog or otherwise acting in a way that would reasonably cause the dog to become agitated. The Illinois Animal Control Act clearly states that dog owners are responsible for their dog if without provocation, the animal attacks a person peaceably conducting themselves.
Trespassing
The dog owner may also try to claim that the victim was trespassing on their property when they were bitten. This defense is most likely to be used if the victim was bitten by a guard dog or other dog that was protecting the property. Under Illinois law, dog owners are responsible for civil damages when the dog bite victim is on public property where they are lawfully allowed to be.
The experienced Chicago dog bite injury lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you overcome these defenses and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Do I Have a Case for My Chicago Dog Bite Injuries?
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured by a dog bite in Chicago, you may be wondering if you have a valid dog bite case. The answer will depend on the specific facts of your case. However, in general, you may have a case if:
You were bitten by a dog without provocation
You were on public property or lawfully on private property when you were bitten
You suffered serious injuries as a result of the dog bite
If you can show that these things are true, you may have a dog bite case against the dog owner. The experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you investigate your case and get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How long will it take?
It depends on the circumstances of your particular case, but in general, it will take some time to resolve a dog bite claim. This is because investigations will need to be conducted, evidence will need to be gathered, and negotiations with the insurance company of the dog owner may need to take place. However, the experienced Chicago dog bite lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you need and deserve as quickly as possible.
How Can The Kryder Law Group, LLC Help to Maximize My Case?
The dog bite attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help to maximize the value of your case by:
Gathering Evidence
Our law firm will obtain all relevant medical records and speak to witnesses to build a strong case.
Investigating the Dog
We will investigate the dog’s history to see if there is a history of aggression.
Determining the Value of Your Case
We will work with you to determine how much your case is worth.
Fighting for You
We will aggressively negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company to get you the best possible settlement.
Find Out What Your Case May Be Worth–Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Today
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. When you call, we will help to determine what your case may be worth and answer any questions you may have about the personal injury claim process.
What You Get When You Call
When you call The Kryder Law Group, LLC, for a free case evaluation you will get:
A free initial consultation with an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer.
A thorough evaluation of your case. We will discuss your injuries and the impact this has had on your life as well as a discussion of what insurance coverage may be available to cover your damages.
Honest advice about your legal options. Will will give you an honest assessment of whether or not you have a strong case.
An explanation of the personal injury claim process. Many lawyers use 50 words when just 5 will do. We pride ourselves on our ability to explain complex legal issues in a way that’s easy for you to understand.
A commitment to fight for the best possible outcome in your case. We have helped thousands of clients and have recovered millions of dollars and we are ready to help you.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a dog attack, you need an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer on your side to hold the dog’s owner accountable. At The Kryder Law Group, we can help you recover damages for your severe injuries from an animal attack. Contact us today for a free consultation.
No Recovery, No Fee
You pay nothing unless we win your case. We take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Call Today
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog in Chicago, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today for a free consultation. We are compassionate and experienced Chicago dog bite attorneys who can help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
(312) 223-1700