Dog Bite Lawyer in Lake County
If a dog attacked you or a loved one, the Lake County dog bite lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg are here to help. Our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers has over three decades of experience helping dog bite victims recover the monetary compensation they need to cover their medical expenses and move on with their lives.
We have been earning our clients' trust for decades.
If You Have Been Injured in Lake County, You Are Not Alone
We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, and we are here for you, too.
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Dog Bites By the Numbers
According to a State Farm report, in 2022, Illinois ranked seventh in dog bite incidents, with 729 claims filed and $49 million in claims paid that year. The state also ranked seventh in the postal worker dog attacks in 2021, with Chicago coming in eighth on a list of U.S. cities with the most dog attacks.
More than 48 million households, or about 38 percent of all families in the United States, own one or more dogs. Most dogs make great pets or companion animals; however, they can still attack humans—often without notice or reason. Each year, nearly five million people are bitten or attacked by dogs. Of those, about 800,000 dog bite victims seek medical treatment.
There is no damage cap for personal injury in the state of Illinois. It also does not matter whether or not the dog bite comes from a dangerous breed, such as a pit bull or Rottweiler.
Dog Attacks in Illinois
Illinois has a high number of dog bites despite having one of the nation’s lowest rate of dog ownership. Just 31 percent of households have a dog, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Additional Dog Bite Resources
Dog bite statistics
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The “One Bite” Rule Does Not Exist in Lake County
Some states in the U.S. employ a “one bite” rule, which to a degree exempts owners from legal responsibility the first time their dog causes injury if they did not have a reason to believe their dog to be dangerous.
However, in Lake County and throughout the state of Illinois, the owner is liable any time their dog's actions cause injury, even if it is the first time their dog has behaved aggressively. This means that despite the dog’s previous behavior, the owner is liable for their dog in any case of personal injury as long as the victim is “peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be” according to Illinois’s statute.
Which Breeds of Dog Are the Most Dangerous?
Some breeds of dogs are known to be more aggressive or may instinctually attack particularly vulnerable areas of the body.
The vast majority of dogs go their whole lives without ever attacking or biting a human. However, certain breeds are more dangerous than others. For instance, Pitbull terriers attack specific parts of their victim’s body, including the head, neck and groin. They do this instinctively to incapacitate their victim.
While any dog breed is technically capable of “snapping” and attacking a human, most dog bites are inflicted by a few breeds. Just two breeds—Pitbull terriers and Rottweilers—are responsible for more than 75 percent of all fatal dog attacks. Other dangerous breeds of dog include:
- German shepherds
- American bulldogs
- Mastiffs
- Dogo Argentino
- Doberman pinscher
- Akita
- Gull Dong
- Perro de presa canario
- Tosa Inu
- Chow chow
And remember, even if you were bit by a dog not on this list, it would not impact your ability to recover compensation.
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Common Injuries After a Lake County Dog Bite
When it comes to dog bite injuries, the most obvious is damage to the skin. Dogs have sharp teeth and incredibly powerful jaws. When a dog clamps down on a victim, their teeth will easily pierce the skin. However, dogs are capable of causing much more serious damage. The following are the most common dog bite injuries:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue damage
- Bruising
- Nerve damage
Infection After a Dog Bite
Additionally, infection is a serious risk after any dog bite. Dogs carry foreign bacteria in their mouths, which can result in a potentially life-threatening situation. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, about one in five dog bites become infected. An infection can occur even if a wound is properly cleaned. The most common infections after a dog bite include:
- Rabies
- Capnocytophaga
- Pasteurella
- MRSA
- Tetanus
Look for the warning signs.
If you were bit by a dog and notice any of the following symptoms, it may mean that the bite is infected:
- Blisters around the affected area;
- Redness, swelling, draining pus, or pain at the bite wound
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Muscle or joint pain
Immediately seek medical treatment if you notice any of these signs of infection after a dog bite.
Tips for avoiding dog bites
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Who Is Responsible for a Lake County Dog Bite?
If you have been bit or attacked by a dog, it may feel as though your world was suddenly turned upside down. You cannot work. You cannot participate in the activities you used to enjoy. You may have missed a family vacation or a child’s wedding. And on top of all this, you now face an onslaught of medical bills. However, you are not alone; hundreds of thousands of people are bitten by dogs each year. You also have options.
Under state law, you are legally entitled to bring a Lake County dog bite lawsuit against the owner of the animal or the person caring for the animal at the time of the attack. When it comes to dog bite laws, Illinois is a strict liability state. This means that if another person’s dog bites you, the owner is liable—even if they were not negligent in caring for the animal. However, strict liability does not apply in every dog bite case. To benefit from the Illinois strict liability dog bite statute, you must:
1. Not have provoked the animal;
2. Be “peaceably conducting” yourself; and
3. Be in a place you are lawfully allowed to be.
If one or more of these does not apply to your case, it does not mean that you cannot recover compensation for your injuries. However, it does mean that you will need to prove that the animal’s owner was negligent.
Negligence in a Lake County dog bite case can take any of the following forms
- Failure to secure a dog with an appropriate leash
- Allowing a dog to roam freely in public
- Failure to install the proper fencing to keep an animal on the owner’s property
- Failure to provide warning of a dangerous dog on the owner’s property
While many dog attacks involve a bite, that is not always the case. Say, for example, a dog aggressively jumps on you without warning, knocking you down. Or, a dog starts to chase you, and you trip and fall as you are trying to escape. In these situations, you can still bring a Lake County dog bite lawsuit against the dog’s owner because state law holds owners liable for all injuries proximately caused by an attack or attempted attack.
Damages in Lake County Dog Bite Case
Dog bites and other injuries related to an attack can have a profound effect on your life. While every case is different, Illinois dog bite law allows victims to obtain two types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the out-of-pocket expenses you are forced to pay as a result of the accident. They also include any money that you would have earned but could not due to your injuries. Non-economic damages are harder to pinpoint because they require a jury consider the subjective effect of the accident on your life.
Economic Damages
Some of the economic damages available through a Lake County dog bite claim include:
- Past medical expenses
- The cost of follow-up medical treatment
- Lost wages while you cannot work due to your injuries
- Any decrease in your ability to earn income in the future
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are imperative to a full and fair recovery, and can be substantial. For example, common types of non-economic damages are:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
Assessing Damages
Unlike economic damages, you cannot prove non-economic damages by presenting medical bills and paychecks. Instead, you must submit a compelling case to the judge or jury explaining how the accident changed your life. At our Lake County dog bite law firm, we understand what you and your family are going through and can help you identify the full extent of your damages, so you know what a fair settlement offer looks like. We will also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf in pursuit of maximum compensation.
Additional Dog Bite Resources
- Basic Rules on How to Be Safe Around Dogs
- Can You Sue for a Dog Bite?
- Common Places Where Dog Bites Can Happen
- Dog Bite Lawsuit Process
- Home Insurance and Dog Bites
- What Evidence Is Needed For A Dog Bite Lawsuit?
- What Is Strict Liability in a Dog Bite Case?
- Why Do Dogs Bite?
- Dog Bite Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the Post Office Refuse to Deliver Mail Because of a Dog?
- How Do Dogs React to Repellant?
- How Many Dog Bites Occur In The US?
- How to Prevent a Dog Bite?
- How to Treat Dog Bites
- My Child Got Bitten By A Dog; What Are My Next Steps?
- What Breed of Dog Bites the Most?
- What Can I File if I Was Bitten by a Dog During My Delivery?
- What Is Dog Repellant?
- What Is The Total Cost For A Dog Bite Lawyer?
- What Should Letter Carriers Know About Dogs?
- What Should Pet Owners Do Before a USPS Worker Delivers the Mail?
- What to Do If Someone's Dog Bites You
- When Should Dog Repellant Be Used?
- Where Should I Discard Dog Repellant?
- Which Cities Have the Most Dog Bites?
- Who Do You Contact After A Dog Bite?
- Why Is Dog Repellant Necessary?
- Illinois Dog Bite Laws
- Doordash Dog Bite Lawyers
- How to Be a Responsible Pet Owner
- How to Find the Best Dog Bite Lawyer
- Instacart Dog Bite Lawyers
- Is It In a Dog’s Nature to Attack?
- Medical Treatments for Dog Bites
- National Dog Bite Attacks for 2020
- Service Requests Related to Dangerous Animals
- The Pros and Cons of Chicago Dog Parks
- Types of Diseases You Can Get From a Dog Bite
- Types of Dog Bite Scars
- Types of Dogs That Can Cause Serious Injury
- Uber Eats Dog Bite Lawyers
- USPS Dog Bite Lawyers
- What Is Dog Bite Liability Insurance?
- What To Do After a Dog Bite
What To Do After a Dog Attack
Reporting the bite serves as proof of the incident and protects others who may encounter the animal in the future. Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 18736 West Peterson Road Libertyville, IL 60048.
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Were You the Victim of a Lake County Dog Bite Attack?
If an insurance company is offering to settle a case immediately, it often means it knows that the case could result in a much higher payout. Working with an experienced lawyer ensures that you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one was recently attacked by a dog, we are here to help.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, our respected personal injury lawyers have been representing accident victims since 1987. Over this time, we have earned a reputation for aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for our clients. However, we have not lost sight of the fact that we deal with people, not cases. We vow to treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve and will always be upfront with you about your case. And, as part of the Briskman Guarantee, we will provide you with a free consultation during which we will answer all your questions and explain the recovery process in clear and understandable terms.
We also handle Lake County dog bite cases on a contingency basis, meaning you will never pay us a fee unless and until we can get you the compensation you deserve. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with one of our Illinois dog bite lawyers, call us at 877-595-4878. You can also reach us through our online contact form.
Dog Bite Lawyers Available Throughout Illinois
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