Chicago Dog Bite Scalp and Head Injury Lawyer

A dog bite to the scalp or head is one of the most serious injuries a person can suffer. The head sits at the top of the body, making it a primary target during an attack, especially for children. Wounds to this area can involve torn skin, skull fractures, nerve damage, and traumatic brain injury. If you or a loved one suffered a scalp or head injury from a dog attack in Chicago, Illinois law gives you the right to pursue full compensation from the dog’s owner. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help Chicago dog bite victims fight for every dollar they deserve.

Table of Contents

• Why Scalp and Head Injuries from Dog Bites Are So Serious
• Illinois Law and Strict Liability for Dog Bite Injuries
• What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite Head Injury in Chicago?
• Steps to Take After a Dog Bite to the Head or Scalp in Chicago
• How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Handles Chicago Dog Bite Head Injury Cases
• FAQs About Chicago Dog Bite Scalp and Head Injuries

Why Scalp and Head Injuries from Dog Bites Are So Serious

The scalp is rich with blood vessels, which means even a moderate dog bite can produce dramatic bleeding. Beneath the scalp lies the skull, and beneath that, the brain. A powerful dog can fracture the skull with a single bite, creating the risk of traumatic brain injury, epidural hematoma, or permanent neurological damage. These are not minor wounds that heal with a few stitches.

Dog bite injuries to the head and neck region are frequently encountered and can be life threatening. This is especially true when the attacking dog is large or when the victim is a child. A predominance in head and neck wounds is seen for children under the age of nine, when infants, toddlers, and elementary school kids remain in close proximity to the ground and the animal. Think of a child playing in Millennium Park or a toddler visiting a neighbor’s yard in Logan Square. A dog at eye level with a small child can lunge directly at the face or scalp without warning.

Children under six years of age are at higher risk of more severe injuries involving the head, neck, and face. This age group is also less capable of defending themselves or escaping. Almost half of all patients studied suffered bites to multiple body regions, which correlated with greater severity and had a significant association with the need for operative repair. That means surgeries, hospital stays, and long recovery periods, all of which add up quickly in terms of both physical suffering and financial cost.

Beyond the visible wound, scalp and head injuries carry risks of deep infection. Bite wounds are considered “dirty” wounds and are prone to infection. Bacteria from a dog’s mouth can penetrate deep into the scalp tissue, creating conditions for serious systemic infection. In some cases, infection can spread to the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain. This is a medical emergency. Even after the wound heals, victims may face permanent scarring, hair loss at the bite site, and ongoing neurological symptoms.

Illinois Law and Strict Liability for Dog Bite Injuries

Illinois does not require you to prove that a dog owner knew their dog was dangerous before the attack. Under 510 ILCS 5/16, the Illinois Animal Control Act, if a dog attacks or injures a person who is peaceably in a place they are lawfully allowed to be, the owner is liable for the full amount of the injury. This is called strict liability, and it is one of the strongest protections available to dog bite victims anywhere in the country.

To build a successful claim under this statute, you need to show three things. First, the dog attacked or injured you. Second, you were lawfully present where the attack happened, whether that was a sidewalk on North Michigan Avenue, a public park near Wicker Park, or a friend’s home. Third, you did not provoke the dog. If all three are true, the owner is liable, period. There is no “first bite rule” in Illinois. The dog owner cannot escape responsibility by arguing the dog never bit anyone before.

The Illinois Animal Control Act also defines “owner” broadly. Under 510 ILCS 5/2.16, an owner includes any person who keeps or harbors a dog, has it in their care, or acts as its custodian. This matters because liability can extend beyond the registered owner. A dog sitter in Bucktown, a property manager in Pilsen, or a tenant in a Rogers Park apartment building who allows a dangerous dog on the premises could all face liability depending on the circumstances of the attack.

Under 510 ILCS 5/2.19a, “serious physical injury” under the Animal Control Act includes injuries that create a substantial risk of death, cause serious disfigurement, or result in protracted impairment of health. A severe scalp laceration or skull fracture from a dog bite fits squarely within this definition. That classification matters when it comes to how courts assess damages and how insurance adjusters evaluate your claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite Head Injury in Chicago?

The financial impact of a dog bite to the scalp or head can be enormous. Emergency room visits, neurosurgical consultations, CT scans, plastic surgery, and ongoing physical therapy all generate bills that pile up fast. Illinois law allows you to recover the full range of damages caused by the attack, not just the initial emergency room costs.

Medical expenses are the most straightforward category. This includes everything from the ambulance ride to Stroger Hospital or Northwestern Memorial to follow-up care, prescription medications, wound care supplies, and any reconstructive surgery needed to address scarring or disfigurement. If your injury requires long-term neurological treatment or ongoing therapy, those future costs are also recoverable.

Lost wages matter too. A serious head injury may keep you out of work for weeks or months. If the injury causes permanent cognitive or neurological impairment, your future earning capacity may be reduced. Both current lost income and future lost earnings are compensable under Illinois law. Illinois law also allows recovery for pain and suffering, which includes physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Facial bites, head injuries, and other visible scarring can lead to substantial awards for permanent disfigurement, and loss of normal life compensates victims for disruptions to hobbies, sports, relationships, or personal independence.

Psychological trauma is a real and recognized harm. Many dog bite victims, particularly children, develop anxiety, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress after a violent attack. These symptoms are compensable. A Chicago abogado de lesiones personales at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you document all of these losses and present them effectively to insurance companies and, if necessary, to a jury at the Daley Center.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite to the Head or Scalp in Chicago

What you do in the hours and days after a dog bite to the head directly affects both your health and the strength of your legal claim. The first priority is always medical care. Head injuries can appear less severe than they are. A wound that looks manageable can hide deeper damage to the skull or underlying tissue. Go to the emergency room immediately, even if you think the injury is minor.

While seeking care, try to document everything you can. Take photos of your wounds before they are cleaned or bandaged. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and contact information. If there were witnesses on the street or in the park where the attack happened, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witness accounts are powerful evidence, especially when the dog owner later claims you provoked the animal.

Report the bite to Chicago Animal Care and Control or the appropriate local agency. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, when authorities receive notice that a person has been bitten, the dog must be confined under veterinary observation for at least ten days from the date of the bite. The owner is also required to present the dog to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours. This quarantine process creates an official record that supports your case and helps establish the dog’s history and condition.

Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. A statement made in the early days after an injury, before the full extent of your damages is known, can be used against you. Contact a abogado de mordedura de perro at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg before you speak with anyone representing the other side.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Handles Chicago Dog Bite Head Injury Cases

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has represented injured Chicagoans for decades. When a client comes to us after a dog bite to the scalp or head, we start by building a complete picture of what happened and what it has cost. That means reviewing medical records, gathering animal control reports, consulting with medical professionals about the long-term effects of the injury, and identifying all potentially liable parties.

Many dog bite cases involve homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policies. We deal with those insurance companies directly so our clients can focus on recovery. Insurance carriers often try to undervalue serious injuries, especially when the full scope of long-term medical needs is not yet clear. Our team pushes back on low offers and builds the documentation needed to support the full value of your claim.

We handle dog bite cases across Chicago and the surrounding area. Whether the attack happened near the 606 Trail in Humboldt Park, on a street in Hyde Park, or in a suburban Cook County neighborhood, we know how to handle these cases under Illinois law. Our abogado de mordedura de perro team also serves clients in communities throughout the region, including those who need abogados de mordeduras de perro in Mundelein or abogados de mordeduras de perro in North Chicago. We also serve clients seeking a abogado de mordedura de perro in Oak Lawn and surrounding suburbs.

Illinois law gives you two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. That deadline sounds distant, but evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and medical records get harder to compile as time passes. If the victim is a minor, the two-year clock generally starts on their 18th birthday, but acting sooner is always better. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation as soon as possible after the attack.

FAQs About Chicago Dog Bite Scalp and Head Injuries

Can I sue for a dog bite to the head even if the dog had never bitten anyone before?

Yes. Illinois follows a strict liability standard under 510 ILCS 5/16. The dog owner is liable for the full amount of your injury even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent or that they knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to show that the attack happened, that you were lawfully present, and that you did not provoke the dog.

What types of damages can I recover for a scalp or head injury from a dog bite in Chicago?

You can recover medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, and future treatment costs. You can also pursue compensation for lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and psychological trauma such as anxiety or PTSD. Illinois law allows recovery for the full impact the injury has on your life, not just your immediate medical bills.

What should I do if the dog owner’s insurance company contacts me after the attack?

Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters work to minimize the amount the company pays out. A statement made before you fully understand your injuries and their long-term effects can significantly hurt your claim. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg first, and let our team handle all communications with the insurer on your behalf.

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Illinois?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. If the victim is a minor, the two-year period typically begins on their 18th birthday. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to compensation entirely, so it is important to act quickly and consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

What if the dog that bit me was owned by a tenant in my apartment building or by a neighbor?

Liability in these situations can extend beyond just the dog’s registered owner. Under Illinois law, anyone who keeps, harbors, or has custody of a dog can be held responsible as an “owner” under the Animal Control Act. Depending on the facts, a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog and failed to act may also share liability. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg investigates all potentially liable parties to make sure every avenue of recovery is pursued on your behalf.

More Resources About Serious Dog Bite Injuries We Handle

• Chicago Dog Bite Nerve Damage Lawyer
• Chicago Dog Bite Infection and Sepsis Cases
• Chicago Dog Bite Amputation Injury Lawyer
• Chicago Dog Bite Facial Reconstruction Cases
• Chicago Dog Bite Psychological Trauma and PTSD
• Chicago Dog Bite Permanent Disfigurement Claims
• Chicago Dog Bite Hand and Finger Injury Lawyer
• Chicago Dog Bite Crush Injuries and Tissue Damage
• Chicago Dog Bite Rabies Exposure Cases