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Chicago Saint Bernard Dog Bite Lawyer
Saint Bernards are often seen as gentle, lovable giants, the kind of dog families bring home thinking they have nothing to worry about. But when a Saint Bernard attacks, the consequences can be devastating. These dogs can weigh between 140 and 180 pounds, and their bite force is estimated between 200 and 450 PSI, far exceeding the average human bite force. A single attack from a dog this size can cause deep puncture wounds, crush injuries, broken bones, nerve damage, and serious infections. If you or someone you love was bitten or knocked down by a Saint Bernard in Chicago, you have legal rights under Illinois law, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is here to help you pursue them.
Table of Contents
- Why Saint Bernard Attacks Cause Serious Injuries
- Illinois Animal Control Act and Saint Bernard Bites
- What Happens After a Saint Bernard Bite in Chicago
- Damages You Can Recover After a Saint Bernard Attack
- Steps to Take After a Saint Bernard Bite in Chicago
- FAQs About Chicago Saint Bernard Dog Bite Cases
Why Saint Bernard Attacks Cause Serious Injuries
Saint Bernards were originally bred for alpine rescue work. Their size and strength were assets in the mountains, but in a residential neighborhood, an apartment building near Wicker Park, or a park along the Chicago Lakefront Trail, that same size and strength becomes a serious hazard. Male Saint Bernards typically weigh between 140 and 180 pounds in their adult prime. Some exceed 200 pounds. When a dog that size lunges, even without biting, it can knock a person to the ground and cause broken hips, head injuries, or torn ligaments.
Given their substantial jaw structure, a bite from a Saint Bernard has the potential to be painful and cause significant damage. Their bite can exert serious pressure, which, if directed toward a person, can result in severe injuries. Victims often suffer deep tissue damage, tendon tears, and wounds requiring surgery. Children and elderly adults are especially vulnerable because they cannot brace themselves against the force of a large dog. Attacks near Chicago’s Lincoln Park, Grant Park, or busy sidewalks along Michigan Avenue can happen in seconds, with very little warning.
The injuries that follow are often more serious than people initially realize. What looks like a puncture wound at the surface can involve nerve damage at deeper tissue levels, a concern that connects to the broader category of crush injuries and tissue damage common in large-dog attacks. Infections, including serious ones like sepsis, can develop within days if wounds are not treated properly. Scarring and permanent disfigurement are also common outcomes, particularly when bites occur on the hands, arms, or face. These injuries have lasting physical and psychological effects, including PTSD and anxiety around dogs, that deserve full compensation.
Illinois Animal Control Act and Saint Bernard Bites
Illinois does not give dog owners a free pass the first time their dog bites someone. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, dog owners are held liable for injuries that occurred when their pet attacked someone, though defenses such as provocation and assumption of risk are available. Specifically, 510 ILCS 5/16 states that if a dog or other animal “attacks, attempts to attack, or injures” a person, the dog’s owner is “liable in civil damages…for the full amount of the injury.”
This matters enormously for Saint Bernard bite victims. You do not need to prove that the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten someone before. A dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog has shown previous signs of aggression. To hold the dog owner liable, the victim must prove that the dog attacked, attempted to attack, or injured the victim, that the victim was lawfully present on public or private property, and that the victim did not provoke the dog.
The law also defines “owner” broadly. In Illinois, a dog owner is defined as “any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian.” This means liability can extend beyond the registered owner to dog sitters, walkers, or anyone else who was responsible for the Saint Bernard at the time of the attack. If the dog was on a rental property and the landlord knew about the animal’s history, third-party liability claims against the property owner may also be possible.
Como Chicago abogado de lesiones personales firm, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg understands how to identify every party who may share responsibility for your injuries, and we build cases designed to hold them all accountable.
What Happens After a Saint Bernard Bite in Chicago
After a Saint Bernard attack, Illinois law sets a clear process in motion. If a dog bites someone, the incident must be reported to the local administrator, and the dog must be confined for observation, usually for 10 days. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, the owner or caretaker must present the animal to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours, and that veterinarian must document the dog’s clinical condition immediately. At the end of the confinement period, the dog must be examined, vaccinated against rabies if eligible, and microchipped at the owner’s expense.
Animal control records created during this process can become critical evidence in your civil claim. If the Saint Bernard was previously reported for aggressive behavior or had been classified as a dangerous dog under 510 ILCS 5/15, that history strengthens your case significantly. If the incident is serious or if the dog has a history of aggression, animal control may investigate further and file a petition to classify the dog as dangerous or vicious under 510 ILCS 5/15 and 5/15.1. Under 510 ILCS 5/2.19b, a “vicious dog” is defined as one that, without justification, attacks a person and causes serious physical injury or death, or any dog that has been found dangerous on three separate occasions.
You should also know that the owner of a biting animal must remit a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund under the Illinois Animal Control Act. This fine is separate from the civil damages you can pursue. A working with an experienced abogado de mordedura de perro means someone is gathering and preserving this official documentation before it disappears or becomes harder to access.
Damages You Can Recover After a Saint Bernard Attack
A Saint Bernard bite claim is not just about covering your emergency room bill. Illinois law allows victims to recover the full amount of their losses, and those losses are often far greater than people expect. Medical costs can include ambulance fees, emergency surgery, wound care, physical therapy, and future treatment for nerve damage or reconstructive procedures. If the attack left you unable to work, you can claim lost wages and, in serious cases, lost future earning capacity.
Pain and suffering damages are also available. These account for the physical pain of the attack itself, the ongoing discomfort during recovery, and the emotional trauma that follows. Many Saint Bernard bite victims develop a lasting fear of dogs, anxiety in public spaces, and sleep disturbances consistent with PTSD. These psychological injuries are real and compensable under Illinois law. Permanent disfigurement, scarring, and loss of function in an injured hand or arm are additional categories that can substantially increase the value of your claim.
Insurance companies handling these claims, typically through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters policy, are motivated to pay as little as possible. They may argue that you provoked the dog, that your injuries were not as serious as claimed, or that certain future medical costs are speculative. A skilled abogado de mordedura de perro knows how to counter these tactics with medical evidence, expert witnesses, and a thorough understanding of what your case is actually worth. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Steps to Take After a Saint Bernard Bite in Chicago
What you do in the hours and days after a Saint Bernard attack directly affects your ability to recover full compensation. First, get medical attention right away, even if the wound seems minor. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, and prompt treatment creates a medical record that documents your injuries from the start. If the attack happened near a busy area like Navy Pier, Millennium Park, or a neighborhood street in Logan Square or Pilsen, look for witnesses and ask for their contact information.
Take photos of your injuries, your clothing, and the location where the attack happened. Report the bite to Chicago Animal Care and Control or the relevant Cook County authority. Under Illinois law, this reporting is required and triggers the official quarantine and observation process. Keep copies of every medical record, bill, and correspondence related to your injuries. Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurers use these statements to build defenses against your claim.
Illinois gives most dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to compensation entirely. Acting quickly also helps preserve evidence, including surveillance footage from nearby cameras, animal control records, and witness memories. A abogado de mordedura de perro at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can begin investigating your case right away, so nothing critical is lost. If your attack occurred anywhere in the Chicago area, from the Near North Side to suburban Cook County, our team is ready to help.
Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. You can reach a abogado de mordedura de perro on our team who will review your case, explain your options, and tell you exactly what your claim may be worth, all at no cost to you. Whether your case involves a landlord who allowed a dangerous Saint Bernard on the premises, a dog sitter who lost control of the animal, or an owner who ignored prior warning signs, we know how to build a strong case. Reach out to our abogado de mordedura de perro team and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
FAQs About Chicago Saint Bernard Dog Bite Cases
Can I sue a Saint Bernard’s owner even if the dog never bit anyone before?
Yes. Illinois follows a liability standard under 510 ILCS 5/16, which means the owner is responsible for your injuries regardless of whether the dog had any prior history of aggression. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent or that they knew the dog was dangerous. As long as the attack was unprovoked, you were lawfully present, and the defendant qualifies as an “owner” under the statute, you have a valid claim. However, defenses such as provocation and assumption of risk may apply.
What if the Saint Bernard knocked me down but did not actually bite me?
You can still pursue a claim. The Illinois Animal Control Act covers injuries caused by a dog’s actions, not just bites. If a Saint Bernard jumped on you, knocked you to the ground, and you suffered a broken bone or head injury as a result, that qualifies as an “attack or injury” under 510 ILCS 5/16. The law does not require a bite to have occurred for the owner to be held liable for the full amount of your injuries.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Chicago?
In most cases, Illinois gives you two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you generally lose your right to seek compensation entirely. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minor victims, but you should never count on an exception applying to your situation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
Who pays if the Saint Bernard’s owner is a renter and does not own the property?
The dog owner is the primary responsible party under Illinois law under the Illinois Animal Control Act. However, depending on the circumstances, the landlord or property management company may also share liability if they knew the tenant kept a large or dangerous dog and failed to take action. Claims may also be filed against the owner’s renters insurance policy. These situations can involve multiple parties, which is why having an attorney review your case early makes a real difference in the outcome.
What if the Saint Bernard’s owner claims I provoked the dog?
Provocation is one of the defenses available to dog owners under Illinois law. However, the standard is a reasonable one, meaning the court looks at whether a reasonable dog would have reacted the same way under the circumstances. Simply petting a dog, walking past it, or making normal movements does not constitute provocation. If the owner raises this defense, your attorney can challenge it using witness testimony, video evidence, and expert analysis of the dog’s behavior leading up to the attack.
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