Our dog bite lawyers in Schiller Park represent adults and children injured by bites, attacks, knockdowns, and other harmful behavior.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., has represented injured clients since 2002 and has recovered more than $100 million. We provide personal, responsive representation and deal directly with insurers when a dog attack leads to an injury claim.
Speak with a Schiller Park personal injury lawyer from our firm to schedule a free consultation.
What Illinois Law Says About Dog Bite Claims
Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, a dog owner can be held liable when the animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures someone who was peaceably conducting themselves in a place where they were lawfully present.
You generally do not have to establish that the dog previously bit someone or that the owner knew the animal was dangerous. The statute can also apply to injuries caused by an attack or other harmful behavior, even when the dog does not actually bite you.
A dog bite attorney in Schiller Park can review the circumstances of the incident and determine how Illinois law applies to your claim.
Dog Bite Injuries Can Have Lasting Effects
Some attacks cause injuries that require much more than an initial emergency room or urgent care visit. Deep wounds may require stitches or surgery, while nerve damage, infections, and scarring may require additional treatment.
Dog attacks may cause:
- Puncture wounds and torn tissue.
- Facial injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Nerve or tendon damage.
- Infections.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Injuries caused by being knocked to the ground.
- Psychological effects associated with the attack.
Children can be particularly vulnerable to facial injuries and permanent scarring because of their size. When a child is injured, we consider both the treatment already received and the care that may be necessary as the child grows.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dog Attack?
The person who legally owns the dog is often responsible, but Illinois law uses a broader definition of ownership than many people realize.
Depending on the facts, an “owner” under the Animal Control Act may include someone who:
- Has a property interest in the dog.
- Keeps or harbors the dog.
- Has the dog in their care.
- Acts as the dog’s custodian.
- Knowingly permits the dog to remain on the premises they occupy.
Other liability theories may apply when another person’s own negligent conduct contributed to the injury. Our Schiller Park dog bite lawyers review who controlled the animal and what happened before determining which claims to pursue.
What If the Dog Owner Claims You Provoked the Animal?
Provocation is one of the issues that can become disputed in a dog injury claim. An owner or insurer may argue that something you did caused the animal to react.
We look at the entire incident rather than accepting the insurer’s version of events. Witness accounts, video, photographs, animal control records, and statements made shortly after the attack may help establish what occurred.
The fact that an insurer raises provocation does not automatically defeat a claim. Whether the dog’s reaction was legally provoked depends on the circumstances.
Evidence That Can Help Our Schiller Park Dog Bite Lawyers Support Your Claim
Evidence can help establish how the attack happened, who had responsibility for the dog, and the extent of your injuries.
Our dog bite attorneys in Schiller Park may use:
- Photographs of your injuries.
- Photos or video of the location.
- Medical records and bills.
- Animal control or police reports.
- Witness statements.
- Information identifying the dog and its owner.
- Records of follow-up treatment.
- Employment and wage records.
- Photographs showing how scars change over time.
Medical documentation can be particularly useful when an injury requires ongoing treatment or results in permanent scarring.
Compensation Available After a Dog Bite
A dog attack claim can account for both the financial cost of the injury and the ways it has affected your life.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Emergency medical treatment.
- Surgery and follow-up care.
- Future medical treatment.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Disability.
- Psychological treatment related to the injury.
For a child with facial scarring or another lasting injury, future treatment may be an important part of evaluating the claim.
How Insurance Can Affect a Dog Bite Claim
Many dog bite claims are handled through homeowners‘ or renters‘ insurance, although available coverage depends on the policy and the circumstances.
An adjuster may request statements, medical records, photographs, or other information when evaluating the claim. The insurer may also dispute liability, question the extent of treatment, or argue that a scar is less significant than the medical evidence shows.
Founding attorney Charlie Therman previously worked on the insurance side at Allstate. That experience helps us understand how insurers assess injury claims and what information they are likely to examine during settlement discussions.
Why Choose Charlie?
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., combines 75 years of combined legal experience with the personal attention of a boutique firm. We keep clients informed, respond to questions, and prepare each claim based on the facts and losses specific to the person we represent.
Clients who work with our firm also have access to:
- More than $100 million recovered for injured clients.
- Insight informed by Charlie Therman’s prior work with Allstate.
- Free consultations.
- Contingency-fee representation.
- Zoom consultations, when convenient.
- Help connecting with medical providers who may accept patients on liens when appropriate.
Our legal team can deal directly with the insurer while we document the physical, financial, and personal effects of the injury.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Dog Bite Attorney in Schiller Park
A dog bite can require ongoing treatment and leave injuries that remain visible long after the wound has healed. When someone else’s dog causes that harm, Illinois law may give you a right to seek compensation.
Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., to schedule a free consultation with a Schiller Park dog bite lawyer. Our team will review the attack, explain the applicable law, and discuss how we may assist with your claim.
