Dog bites can result in painful injuries, mental trauma, and substantial financial costs. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog in Northbrook, Illinois, our team at Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. An experienced Northbrook dog bite lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, trauma, pain, and more.
Between us, our lawyers have over 64 years of experience in personal injury law. We’re prepared to put the weight of that experience to work in your case. To date, our skillful approach has helped us successfully recover over $125 million in settlements and verdicts.
If you were injured, call our law firm in Northbrook, IL at (847) 513-9582 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Can Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers Help You Recover Compensation After Suffering a Dog Bite Injury in Northbrook
Dogs can make wonderful companions. Millions of Americans welcome dogs into their homes. Unfortunately, dogs are also animals. They’re unpredictable and can cause significant damage, especially if they aren’t properly restrained.
Illinois personal injury laws hold dog owners financially responsible for the actions of their animals. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to actually recover compensation for your losses. The insurance company may already be challenging your right to compensation. Many victims aren’t really sure how to pursue compensation.
Our experienced Northbrook personal injury lawyers at Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers have the tools to help. We handle personal injury claims every day.
When you hire our team, we’ll put our skills to work by:
- Conducting an investigation to locate evidence
- Determining who is liable for your damages
- Identifying any sources of insurance coverage
- Calculating your case value
- Defending against claims that you provoked the attack
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a full settlement
These are only some examples of how we can help. Call our Northbrook personal injury attorneys to learn more today.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Illinois?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year.
The state of Illinois ranked eighth on the list of states with the most dog bite injury claims, with 837 dog bite-related insurance claims filed in 2023. Out of the top ten states with the most dog bite injury claims in 2023, Illinois had the highest average cost per dog bite injury claim.
How Much Compensation Should I Expect to Receive By Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Northbrook?
There’s no standard formula for determining the amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive.
The value of your personal injury case will depend on:
- The nature of your injuries
- The cost of your medical care and other out-of-pocket expenses
- The value of any income you lost during recovery
- How the attack has impacted your mental health and wellbeing
- Your physical pain and suffering
- Expected future impacts including loss of earning capacity and ongoing trauma
Unfortunately, many dog bite victims are young children. The identity of the victim can also be important in these cases. Young children may experience significant trauma and ongoing PTSD after a dog bite injury.
Ultimately, it’s critical to have an experienced attorney review your case. Our lawyers will carefully evaluate the unique circumstances of your case. The details matter, and you shouldn’t expect the insurance company to offer the maximum amount you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Northbrook?
Damages in Illinois personal injury cases are classified as economic damages or non-economic damages.
Common examples of damages claims include:
- Current medical bills
- Reasonably expected future medical costs
- Rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Lost future earning potential
- Mental health treatment
- In-home assistance
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
If you were attacked by a dog in Northbrook, reach out to our attorneys for a free case review. We have the resources to help you prove the damages you have incurred as a result of the dog bite.
Who is Responsible for Paying My Damages After a Dog Bite in Northbrook?
Typically, the dog’s owner will be responsible for your damages. However, it’s possible that additional parties could share liability.
Depending on the facts, responsible parties might include:
- Dog walkers
- Pet sitters
- Groomers
- Kennels
- Doggie daycare centers
- Negligent property owners
- The employer of someone who was responsible for the dog when the attack occurred
Identifying all responsible parties can be the key to maximizing the value of your personal injury claim. Contact our Northbrook dog bite attorneys for help determining who is liable for your damages.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Illinois?
Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, like most personal injury law firms, works on a contingency fee basis. When you hire us to handle your dog bite injury case, you’ll agree to pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict. Most often, that percentage is between 33% and 40%. The upside is that you never have to worry about upfront legal fees, and you never pay unless we win.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Provoking a Dog Bite in Illinois?
Provocation is a defense to dog bite injury claims in Illinois. If you provoked the animal, Illinois’ strict liability laws won’t apply.
Illinois has a modified comparative negligence law. If your actions contributed to the cause of your injuries, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
If your 51% or more responsible for your injuries, you will lose your right to compensation.
Our Attorneys in Northbrook Are Ready to Fight for Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of personal injury claims, including:
- Torn skin and puncture wounds
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Shoulder injuries
- Damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Infections
- Sepsis and shock
- Amputations
Dog bite injuries are rarely fatal. However, when a serious dog bite wound becomes infected, there’s always a risk of catastrophic or fatal consequences. That’s especially true if the animal wasn’t properly vaccinated. If you were injured or lost a loved one, call us today to learn about your legal options.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Dog Bite in Illinois?
Illinois follows strict liability laws when it comes to dog bite injury claims. There is no “one bite law.” You also won’t have to prove that the dog’s owner was careless or did something to allow the dog bite to occur.
Instead, you must prove the following:
- You were on public property or lawfully on private property (you were not trespassing)
- You did nothing to provoke the animal to bite or attack and were behaving peacefully
- The dog either did attack you or attempted to attack you
- You suffered damages as a result of the animal attack
The dog’s owner can’t avoid liability by claiming they didn’t know that the dog was aggressive or vicious. The dog’s owner can be liable even if they did everything they could to prevent the dog bite.
What is Negligence and How Can Negligence Be Relevant to My Dog Bite Injury Claim?
You don’t have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent to recover damages. However, it’s possible that someone other than the dog’s owner may be responsible.
Premises liability laws may be relevant to your case. Property owners and managers can be held responsible for their own negligence.
In these cases, you’ll have to prove that the defendant:
- Was responsible for maintaining the property in reasonably safe conditions (so owed you a legal duty of care)
- Knew, or reasonably should have known, that a vicious or dangerous dog was present on the premises
- Failed to provide adequate warning about the danger or take steps to prevent the dog from harming you, and breached their duty of care
For example, if a dangerous dog was permitted to roam freely in an apartment complex or public space, it’s possible that the property owner may be responsible for your damages. It is, however, necessary to prove negligence.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. After the two-year statute of limitations passes, you forfeit your right to sue for damages.
Exceptions exist for children who are bitten by dogs. If the victim was a child, the parent has the right to take legal action on their behalf. Parents can also choose to wait, in which case the child has their own two-year statute of limitations that starts to run when they turn 18.
Contact a Leading Northbrook Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Do you have questions about holding a dog owner responsible after a dog bite? Contact Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers today. An experienced Northbrook dog bite lawyer can sit down with you and explain your legal options. If you were injured, we’re ready to fight for you.
