Orland Park, Illinois Dog Bite Attorneys
Lawyers for Injuries Caused by Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Orland Park, IL
On an average day in the United States, around 1,000 people require emergency medical attention for injuries caused by dog bites. Many of these injury victims are children. With millions of dog bites occurring each year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer serious injuries. In some cases, these injuries are fatal. At Schwartz Injury Law, we understand the seriousness of dog bite injuries and the ways they can affect victims and their families. We work closely with injury victims to help ensure that they can collect compensation for their injuries.
The skilled lawyers at our firm have successfully represented clients in many types of personal injury cases. We have achieved verdicts and settlements providing our clients with millions of dollars in compensation, including cases involving injuries caused by dog bites and animal attacks. Our attorneys are known throughout the local legal community as hardworking victims' advocates who get results. We can provide effective legal representation to ensure that a pet owner or another party who was responsible for a dog bite injury will be held liable for the injuries suffered by a victim.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Illinois
Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, owners may be held liable when their dogs attack, attempt to attack, bite, or otherwise cause injuries to another person. With very few exceptions, a dog's owner is strictly liable for the actions and behavior of their animal. This means that it will not be necessary to prove that an owner was negligent or that they knew that their dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies. Regardless of whether a dog had ever bitten anyone in the past, the owner or the person in control of the dog may be held liable for injuries the animal inflicted.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers have helped many clients recover damages for dog bite injuries. We will work closely with you and your family to ensure that your rights are fully protected. We understand that proving a dog bite injury case requires showing that:
- The dog in question belongs to or was under the care of the defendant at the time of the attack.
- You were in a place that you were legally permitted to be.
- You were acting in a peaceful manner and did not provoke the dog.
- Your injuries were a direct result of the dog's actions.
Many dog bite cases require extensive negotiations with homeowner insurance carriers to ensure that a fair settlement will be offered. We will not be tricked or intimidated into accepting a substandard settlement, and we will fight to make sure all of your injuries and damages will be fully addressed. We are prepared to go to court on your behalf if necessary, working to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation available.
Collecting Damages for Dog Bites
When a dog attacks someone, it can cause devastating and even life-threatening injuries. Dog bites can break bones and cause serious lacerations. In some cases, a serious bite can result in the loss of fingers or other body parts, or nerve damage may occur that could result in paralysis in different parts of the body. Some dog bites may leave permanent scars, especially when injuries occur in areas such as the face, neck, or chest. As you address the injuries you have suffered due to a dog bite, you may be eligible to collect compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: All of the costs of medical treatment should be addressed, including emergency care, medications, and long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: When dog bite injuries prevent you from returning to work, you may be compensated for the income lost during your recovery.
- Temporary or Permanent Disability: If a bite injury has led to permanent impairments, such as nerve damage that affects your ability to use your hands and perform fine motor skills, you may be compensated for the reduction in your earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: You may be compensated for the physical pain experienced following a dog bite, as well as the ongoing emotional distress that has affected you.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: When the effects of a dog bite have left permanent scars on your face or body, you should be compensated for the ways your quality of life has been affected.
Contact Our Orland Park Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
A dog bite can change your life forever in a matter of seconds, but the skilled personal injury attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law can help you minimize the financial impact of your injuries and make sure you will be able to move forward with your life. If you have been injured by a dog or another animal, contact our Orland Park, IL animal attack attorneys today at 708-888-2160 and arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.