Bloomingdale Dog Bites Lawyers

Illinois Injury Attorneys Serving Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, and Will Counties

More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and around 800,000 dog bite victims need to seek medical attention for their injuries. Insurance companies pay out more than $850 million in liability insurance claims related to dog bites every year. Attacks by dogs or other animals can lead to multiple types of serious injuries, and in some cases, these incidents are fatal. Victims who suffer injuries due to dog bites will need to understand their legal options, and by working with an attorney, they can take steps to pursue financial compensation.

Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices provides experienced representation for people who have been injured by dog bites and in other situations. We work to ensure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve for personal injuries. We provide free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that clients will not owe us any money unless we win their case and recover compensation on their behalf.

Illinois Dog Bites

In Chicago and other communities throughout Illinois, the greatest percentage of victims suffering from dog bites are children, with the face being the area most frequently attacked. Attacks by dogs are a fairly common occurrence, and these incidents may take place on both public and private property. Multiple factors may contribute to a dog attack, but many cases involve insufficient fencing or failure to keep dogs restrained.

Aside from pain and permanent disfigurement, victims who are seriously injured from a dog bite frequently experience emotional trauma, which later could develop into a fear of all dogs or animals and possibly fear of going outdoors. The costs of treating dog bite injuries can be outrageous, and a person may require emergency treatment, ongoing therapy, cosmetic surgery, or psychotherapy. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured from a dog attack, exorbitant medical fees alone are a reason to consider filing a personal injury claim. An attorney can advocate on your behalf to help address your expenses and ensure that you can make a full recovery.

Illinois Dog Bite Laws

According to the Illinois Animal Control Act, an animal owner is liable for injuries that his or her animal causes to others. A number of Illinois statutes within this act define liability, but two key statutes that establish strict liability are:

• (510 ILCS 5/2.16) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.16): "Owner" means 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.
• 510 ILCS 5/16:Sec. 16. (from Ch. 8, par. 366): Animal attacks or injuries. 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.

Dog Bite Damages

In a dog bite case, your lawyer may help you take legal action to recover compensation for medical bills (past and future), lost wages (past and future), pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and permanent disability or disfigurement.

If a dog attack resulted in wrongful death, the surviving family may pursue compensation from the dog's owner or the person or organization that was in control of the dog at the time of the attack. Damages in these cases may include compensation for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering in addition to the monetary losses resulting from the victim's death.

Insurance Companies and Dog Bites

While insurance providers have an obligation to cover dog bite injuries based on a particular policy, these companies frequently try to pay as little as possible, or they may deny claims and come up with reasons why an injury is supposedly not covered by a policy. With the help of an experienced dog bite lawyer, a victim can make sure claims are filed correctly, and they can negotiate a settlement that will fully cover their losses.

Contact Our Lombard Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we will evaluate your case at no cost to you, explain your rights, and help you determine the best course of action to ensure that you will be able to receive the maximum compensation allowed by law. Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no attorney fees until you win. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured from a dog attack, contact us online or call 630-932-9100 today for a free initial consultation. We have 3 convenient locations in Bloomingdale, Lombard, and Naperville, or if your injuries prevent you from coming to us, we will come to you.