If you or a loved one is injured by a dog bite, a Des Plaines dog bite lawyer from our law firm can provide legal representation to determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages from the animal attack. Call us for a free legal consultation with a Des Plaines personal injury lawyer.
In this Article
What Are Illinois Dog Bite Laws?
Under Illinois law (510 ILCS 5/16), also known as the Illinois Animal Control Act, the owner of a dog or other animal that attacks, attempts to attack, or injures another person without provocation is strictly liable for any damages suffered by dog bite victims. Most dog owners take their legal responsibility seriously, but when an attack happens, they can be held financially responsible for the aggressive behavior with appropriate compensation. Liability exemptions for dog owners exist if the dog bite victim trespassed, provoked the animal, or if the animal involved was a working police dog.
How Serious Is the Problem?
There are 88 million dogs in the United States. Each year 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs (this is according to the American Veterinary Medical Association). Children are often dog bite victims and suffer severe injuries.
What to Do After an Animal Attack in Des Plaines
If you or a family member has suffered serious injuries in an animal attack:
- Seek medical attention; medical treatment is important because animal bites can lead to serious infections. Speak with your medical providers immediately.
- Document the incident and preserve evidence by taking photos of your injuries caused by the animal.
- Gather information from witnesses, such as names and contact information.
- Report the attack to local authorities, including animal control and/or law enforcement.
- Consult with a dog bite lawyer to understand your options for seeking compensation.
Common Injuries Suffered in a Des Plaines Dog Attack

Get immediate medical attention following an attack from someone else’s dog. Common injuries include puncture wounds, facial injuries, lacerations, cuts, broken bones, nerve damage, rabies infection, and emotional trauma.
How Can a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help?
Our experienced attorneys can gather evidence (like medical records and witness statements), negotiate with the aggressive dog owner’s insurance company, and fight for your rights to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. If a fair settlement isn’t reached through negotiations, we can take your dog bite lawsuit to court.
Des Plaines dog bite victims generally have two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202) to file an Illinois personal injury case. There are some exceptions, so it’s important to discuss the details of your case with an experienced dog bite lawyer.
What Financial Compensation Can Des Plaines Dog Bite Victims Receive?
In Des Plaines, IL, an injured party may be entitled to fair compensation with a dog bite injury claim. This may include:
- Medical expenses for current and future medical care (including medical bills for hospital and emergency room visits, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and related expenses)
- Lost wages—income lost during the recovery process
- Pain and suffering—physical pain and emotional distress like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- And more
How Much Is My Des Plaines Dog Bite Claim Worth?
Our Illinois dog bite attorneys value a Des Plaines dog bite case, taking into account the facts of the individual animal attack case. Factors can include the severity of the injuries, amount of medical costs, lost wages during recovery, amount of insurance coverage available, the impact on the victim’s quality of life, and the degree of negligence on the part of the dog’s owner.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, Today
The dog bite injury lawyers in our personal injury law firm have comprehensive knowledge of dog bite law. We have a proven track record of helping many dog bite victims manage insurance claims to seek the compensation they deserve. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing for the legal process unless we recover compensation for you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Our legal team serves clients with animal attack injuries across Illinois and the Midwest. In your meeting, a personal injury lawyer will review your case, explain how Illinois personal injury claims work, discuss your legal options to pursue compensation, and answer your questions.
(312) 223-1700