If you sustained a dog bite injury and your actions didn’t contribute to the animal attack itself, you should contact the premises liability lawyers in Chicago of JJ Legal immediately. You might be entitled to compensation for your hospitalization, prescriptions, and other medical expenses. We could help you hold the dog’s owner liable for the trauma you experienced. As experienced premises liability lawyers in Chicago, we understand the physical and emotional toll these incidents can take. If you’ve been harmed in a dog bite incident where you weren’t at fault, you’re likely facing a range of challenges, from medical expenses to psychological trauma.
Our skilled team of Chicago dog bite injury lawyers is committed to helping you handle these difficulties and secure the compensation you deserve. We can hold the dog’s owner accountable for your ordeal. Even minor dog bites can lead to serious complications, including infections and nerve damage. Whether you need emergency care, vaccinations, or ongoing treatment, we’re here to support your recovery journey and legal needs.
The Physical and Psychological Impact of a Dog Bite
Even small dogs can cause serious injuries. Their teeth can puncture the skin and damage the nerves and tissue below. Some dog bites lead to infections and other medical issues. Dog bite victims often require emergency medical care, vaccinations, and ongoing treatment to heal. Some might need reconstructive surgery to repair a disfiguring injury to the face or another body part. Although minor injuries can occur from dog bites, the psychological damage can be overwhelming and outlast any physical wound. You could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a phobia of dogs. It’s paralyzing when you can’t do the things you love or visit friends or family anymore because they have dogs.
At JJ Legal, we understand the devastating consequences of a dog attack. It’s more than just physical and emotional. You might experience financial strain if you can’t afford the bills you receive. You worry about the cost of medical treatment and whether you can continue seeing the medical professionals who are helping to heal your injury. Many people got their medical bills face debt after a dog bite and don’t know how to pay their expenses.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Illinois
Illinois law takes dog bite incidents seriously, and as your Chicago-based legal advocates, we’re well-versed in these statutes. The Illinois dog bite laws are designed to protect dog bite victims like you. In cases of dog bites, the owner is typically held liable, especially if the victim did not provoke the animal. Our legal process involves a thorough investigation of the incident, from gathering medical records to eyewitness statements, ensuring we build a strong dog bite case for you.
One crucial aspect is the statute of limitations in Illinois. Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a dog bite lawsuit. This timeline is critical to adhere to, as missing it can jeopardize your chance to seek justice and compensation. Our dog bite injury attorneys in Chicago will guide you through every step, from the initial dog bite claims insurance to potential court proceedings, ensuring all deadlines are met.
Call JJ Legal at 312-200-2000 for a free consultation or reach out to us online to learn more about what we can do for you.
Steps You Should Take After a Dog Attack
A dog attack is a traumatic experience. You might have thought all dogs were harmless but now fear them.
Most people don’t think clearly when they’re in shock and pain. You might not know the steps you should take to get the help you need. It’s important to follow the steps below to improve your chance of recovering compensation and holding the negligent party accountable for their actions.Go to the emergency room after leaving the scene of the attack. You will likely need vaccinations to prevent rabies and tetanus. You also need immediate treatment of your wounds to prevent infections from forming and entering your body. If you wait a couple of days before going to the hospital, you put yourself and your life at risk. The doctor can tend to additional injuries you have from the incident while you're at the ER.
Follow their recommendations if the physician tells you to seek medical attention immediately. You might need a series of shots over multiple days, X-rays to confirm a bone fracture, or surgery to repair a disfiguring injury. Continue with your follow-up care until your medical providers release you.
Why Choose a Chicago Dog Bite Injury Lawyer from JJ Legal?
Since 2008, JJ Legal has represented victims of dog bite injuries. We understand the burden of treating an injury, dealing with the insurance company, and struggling to get back to normal life. You shouldn’t be financially responsible for your dog bite injury lawsuits-related expenses when someone else is at fault for what happened. We can help you pursue the fair compensation you are entitled to so you can heal and move forward.
Our Chicago dog bite lawyers have a reputation for achieving positive case results. We dedicate our time and attention to every client who hires us. You will be our top priority from start to finish of the legal process. Our team of experienced dog bite attorneys will provide guidance and support until the end of your dog bite claim or case.
JJ Legal has received multiple awards for our work within our community and around the country. We’ve received recognition from various organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We’re proud of the level of service we offer to our injured clients, no matter what type of case they have.
Types of Cases Handled by Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
Our experience as dog bite injury attorneys in Chicago covers a broad spectrum of related case types. These include incidents involving negligence on the part of the dog owner, such as failure to leash their pet in public areas or owning a dog known for aggressive behavior. We also handle cases where a dog bite has led to severe infections or required extensive medical treatment, including surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
For those in Chicago, we understand the local context – be it dealing with city ordinances or understanding the unique challenges of navigating these cases in a bustling urban environment. Our familiarity with local healthcare facilities like Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital ensures we can advise on the best medical care for your recovery.
Let JJ Legal Handle the Investigation
Our Chicago dog bite injury lawyers will investigate the incident and obtain the evidence we can use to prove your case.
The evidence we might need could include:
- Eyewitness statements
- Previous reports regarding the same dog
- Incident or police report
- Information about the vaccination status of the dog
- Copies of your medical expenses and record
- Records from animal control
- Video surveillance
- Pictures from the scene of the attack
We will submit the evidence to the insurance company after completing our investigation. We know how to negotiate a fair settlement for our clients. If the insurance company doesn’t settle for the amount we believe you deserve, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The Types of Cases We Handle
Dog Bite Injury Attorney FAQs in Chicago
First and foremost, seek medical attention, even for seemingly minor bites. Documenting your injury is crucial for your health and any legal action. Then, report the incident to local authorities, like the Chicago Police or Animal Control. Gather as much information as possible, including the dog owner’s details and witness statements. Photographs of your dog bite injuries and the location of the incident can also be valuable. After these steps, contact our dog bite injury attorneys to discuss your legal options.
Yes, you can. Illinois law typically holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Every case is unique, so consulting with our attorneys can help you understand the specific compensation you might be entitled to.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is generally two years from the date of the incident. However, certain circumstances can affect this timeline. It’s crucial to consult with our attorneys as soon as possible to ensure your dog bite claim is filed within the legal timeframe.
Illinois follows a ‘strict liability‘ rule in dog bite cases, meaning the owner is usually liable for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of the dog’s past behavior. However, if the owner can prove provocation, it could impact your case. Our Chicago dog bite injury lawyers can help you navigate these complexities and defend your rights.
Settlement amounts vary widely based on the severity of the injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and other factors like medical costs and lost income. While we can’t provide a specific figure without assessing your case, our attorneys have a track record of securing fair and comprehensive dog bite settlements for our clients in Chicago.
The owner of a dog or another animal is liable for someone’s injuries if that person is lawfully in a place and the dog attempts to attack, attacks, or injures them without provocation.
If you sustained a dog bite injury from a police dog, you might be able to hold the agency liable. Typically, sovereign immunity protects governmental entities from legal action by citizens. However, the some laws waive immunity in specific situations. You can only file a lawsuit against law enforcement for an injury a police dog caused if you could pursue a similar case had the agency been a private individual or company.
Some people feel hesitant about pursuing compensation from a friend. It could create a strain on the relationship. However, you don’t have to worry about that. If you were at your friend’s home at the time of the attack, you wouldn’t have to go after their money to compensate you for your injury.
Instead, you can file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance carrier. Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover dog bites. Your friend won’t have to pay out of pocket to cover your losses. Their insurance company should provide compensation if liability for common dog bite injuries exists.
It depends. You should never accept a settlement before discussing it with your dog bite lawyer in Chicago first. Contact JJ Legal if you want to know whether the settlement offer you received is fair. It likely isn’t the highest amount available.
Insurance companies typically start at a low number. They hope you will accept anything they offer. However, you might be entitled to more compensation depending on the available insurance coverage. We can review everything and handle the settlement negotiations to try to secure the maximum amount.
No. You don’t have to hire a lawyer after a dog bite injury. However, we advise that you do. Unrepresented claimants often get taken advantage of by insurance companies. If you don’t know your rights, you could end up with much less money than you deserve or nothing at all.
Contact A Chicago Dog Bite Injury Attorney Today
At JJ Legal, we understand you might have many questions about your dog bite injury case in Chicago. Our goal is to provide brief, general answers to orient those seeking legal help.
For more detailed information, we encourage you to contact our dog bite injury attorneys for a free case review. We're here to guide clients through this challenging time.
If you sustained a dog bite injury due to someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact JJ Legal. A Chicago dog bite injury lawyer from our team can meet you and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will determine whether we can represent you and what options you have for pursuing legal action.