Our Lawyers
Bolingbrook Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite can happen anywhere, and Bolingbrook is no exception. Whether you were walking along the Bolingbrook Promenade, jogging near Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm, or simply visiting a neighbor in one of the community’s many residential subdivisions, a dog attack can leave you with serious injuries and mounting medical bills. If a dog has bitten or attacked you in Bolingbrook or anywhere in the greater Chicago area, you need to understand your rights under Illinois law. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
- Illinois Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know
- Dangerous and Vicious Dogs Under Illinois Law
- What Happens After a Dog Bite in Bolingbrook
- What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?
- How the Statute of Limitations Affects Your Bolingbrook Dog Bite Claim
- FAQs About Bolingbrook Dog Bite Claims
Illinois Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know
Illinois takes a firm stance when it comes to dog bites. The state follows a strict liability rule under the Illinois Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/16. That means the dog owner is responsible for your injuries, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. You do not have to prove the owner was careless or that they knew their dog was dangerous.
Under 510 ILCS 5/16, the law is clear. If a dog attacks, attempts to attack, or injures a person who is peacefully in a place where they are allowed to be, the owner is liable for the full amount of the injury. Unlike states that require proof of negligence or a prior history of aggressive behavior, often referred to as the “one-bite rule,” Illinois law holds owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression before.
To make a successful claim in Illinois, you generally need to show three things. The dog attacked, attempted to attack, or injured you. You were lawfully present on public or private property. And you did not provoke the dog. If those three elements are in place, the owner’s liability is established. You do not need to prove negligence or that the owner acted irresponsibly.
An actual bite is not always necessary for the dog’s owner to be held responsible. If a dog knocks someone over, causes a fall, or scratches a person leading to injury, the owner may still be liable under Illinois law. So if a large dog jumped on you near Bolingbrook’s Route 53 corridor and you fell and broke your wrist, that still counts. The law protects you in those situations too.
Dog bite cases can also involve landlords, dog walkers, and other caretakers. The primary liability falls on the dog’s owner, whether or not they were present during the attack. If the attack occurred on rented property, the landlord may be liable if they knew the dog was dangerous and failed to act. Other individuals, such as dog walkers or caretakers, may sometimes share liability. A Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you identify every responsible party in your case.
Dangerous and Vicious Dogs Under Illinois Law
Illinois law draws a clear line between a “dangerous dog” and a “vicious dog,” and that distinction matters in your case. A “dangerous dog” means any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian that behaves in a manner a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person, or a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.
A “vicious dog” is a more serious classification. Under 510 ILCS 5/2.19b, a vicious dog is one that, without justification, attacks a person and causes serious physical injury or death, or any individual dog that has been found to be a dangerous dog on three separate occasions. In other words, a dog with a track record of aggression can be formally labeled vicious under Illinois law.
The process for classifying a dog as vicious under 510 ILCS 5/15 requires a thorough investigation. The Administrator or law enforcement officer must notify the owner, interview witnesses, gather medical and veterinary records, and produce a detailed report. The petitioner must prove the dog is vicious by clear and convincing evidence. Expert testimony from a certified applied behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist may be relevant to the court’s determination.
Under 510 ILCS 5/15.2, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or recklessly permit a dangerous dog to leave the owner’s premises when not under control by a leash or other recognized control method. If a dog owner in Bolingbrook let their dangerous dog roam free near Clow International Airport or along the I-55 corridor and that dog attacked you, that violation of the law can directly support your civil claim. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg knows how to use these statutory violations to build a strong case for victims.
If you live in other parts of the Chicago area and need help, our firm also works with clients through our Lake County dog bite lawyer services and other regional offices throughout Illinois.
What Happens After a Dog Bite in Bolingbrook
After a dog bite, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can make a real difference in your case. The first priority is always your health. Seek medical attention right away, even if the wound looks minor. Dog bites can cause serious infections, nerve damage, and in rare cases, rabies exposure. Getting treatment quickly also creates a medical record that supports your injury claim.
Illinois law also triggers a formal public health process after a bite. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, when authorities learn that a person has been bitten by an animal, the dog must be confined under the observation of a licensed veterinarian. The confinement period is at least 10 days from the date of the bite. The owner is required to present the animal to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours. At the end of the confinement period, the dog must be examined, vaccinated against rabies if eligible, and microchipped at the owner’s expense.
You should also report the bite to local animal control. In Bolingbrook, which sits in Will County, animal control services handle these reports and investigations. Reporting creates an official record of the incident. That record can be valuable evidence in your case.
Gather as much information as you can at the scene. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and contact information. Take photos of your injuries and the location where the attack happened. If there were witnesses, get their contact information too. Was the attack near the Bolingbrook Park District’s recreation areas or along one of the community’s many walking paths? That location detail matters.
The average cost per dog bite claim reached $69,272 in 2024, representing an 18% increase from 2023. Your injuries could easily exceed that figure if you need surgery, physical therapy, or time off work. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after an attack. We also serve clients through our Mundelein dog bite lawyer and Gurnee dog bite lawyer offices throughout the region.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?
If you were bitten by a dog in Bolingbrook, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Illinois law allows victims to pursue damages for a wide range of losses tied to the attack. Understanding what you can recover helps you see the full value of your claim.
Medical expenses are usually the most immediate concern. This includes emergency room visits, surgeries, wound care, antibiotics, and any follow-up treatment. If your injuries are serious, you may also need physical therapy, plastic surgery for scarring, or long-term mental health support. All of those costs are recoverable.
Lost wages are another major category. If your injuries kept you from working, you can seek compensation for the income you missed. If the injuries are permanent and affect your ability to work in the future, you may also be able to recover for lost earning capacity.
Pain and suffering damages cover the physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma that often follow a serious dog attack. This includes emotional distress, trauma, and the long-term impact of the injury, including permanent disfigurement. Many dog bite victims, especially children, experience lasting anxiety or fear of dogs after an attack. Those psychological effects have real value in a personal injury claim.
In some cases, courts may impose punitive damages to penalize a homeowner or pet owner for reckless negligence, especially if the dog was known to be dangerous and no preventative action was taken. If the owner ignored prior warnings or let a dangerous dog run loose near Bolingbrook’s Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park or other public spaces, punitive damages may be on the table.
A total of $1.57 billion was paid out by insurers for dog-related injury claims in 2024, the highest amount ever recorded. Insurance companies handle the majority of these claims, but they are not on your side. They will look for ways to minimize your payout. Having Briskman Briskman & Greenberg in your corner levels the playing field. We also serve clients through our North Chicago dog bite lawyer and Champaign dog bite lawyer offices.
How the Statute of Limitations Affects Your Bolingbrook Dog Bite Claim
Time is a critical factor in any personal injury case, and dog bite claims are no different. Victims of dog bite incidents in Illinois have two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit against the dog owner. This time frame applies to injury claims for medical care, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the attack. If you miss that deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
Two years may sound like a long time, but it goes faster than you think. Building a strong case takes time. Your legal team needs to gather medical records, investigate the scene, identify all responsible parties, consult with experts, and deal with insurance companies. Starting early gives your attorney the best chance to build the most complete case possible.
There is an important exception for minors. If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations is extended until two years after their 18th birthday, ensuring young victims have sufficient time to seek legal action once they reach adulthood. Children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks, and Illinois law recognizes that. Children under 7 years old are generally presumed incapable of provoking a dog. That presumption can be very powerful in a case involving a young child.
Even if you are not sure whether you have a valid claim, it costs nothing to find out. The attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg offer free consultations. We will review the facts of your case and give you a clear picture of your legal options. Whether your attack happened near Weber Road, in the Bolingbrook Golf Club area, or anywhere else in Will County, we are here to help. Do not wait until the deadline is approaching to take action. Call us today and let us get to work for you.
FAQs About Bolingbrook Dog Bite Claims
Does Illinois require a dog to have bitten someone before to hold the owner liable?
No. Illinois follows a strict liability rule under 510 ILCS 5/16. The owner is liable for your injuries even if the dog has never shown aggression before. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You simply need to show the dog attacked you without provocation while you were lawfully present in that location.
What if I was bitten on someone else’s private property in Bolingbrook?
You can still file a claim as long as you were lawfully on the property. For example, if you were a guest, a delivery person, or a utility worker, you have every right to be there. The owner’s strict liability under Illinois law applies to attacks on private property, not just public spaces. The key is that you were not trespassing and did not provoke the dog.
How long does a Bolingbrook dog bite case typically take to resolve?
Every case is different. Some cases settle with the insurance company in a matter of months. Others take longer, especially if the injuries are serious, liability is disputed, or the case goes to trial. Starting your claim early and working with an experienced attorney helps move the process along and ensures you are not rushed into accepting a low settlement offer.
Can I file a claim if the dog knocked me down but did not actually bite me?
Yes. Illinois law covers more than just bites. If a dog attacked, attempted to attack, or injured you, the owner can be held liable. That includes situations where a dog jumped on you and caused you to fall, resulting in a broken bone or other injury. The law focuses on the injury caused by the dog’s behavior, not just the bite itself.
What should I do if the dog owner’s insurance company contacts me after the attack?
Be very careful. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot go back and seek more money, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you first thought. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg before you speak with any insurance representative.
More Resources About Personal Injuries
SEEN ON:
