Dog Bite Lawyer | Oak Brook Injury Attorney serving Chicagoland

Top Dog Bite Lawyer

Injuries and accidents can be the perfect example of misfortune in life. Nobody in the world is ready for an accident or injury to occur. A perfect example of this type of misfortune is a dog bite. Every year a large number of people become the victim of dog bite. If you have been the victim of a dog bite injury you need to get assistance from a dog bite Injury Lawyer Chicago IL.

Those who take on the responsibilities of pet ownership know the intrinsic rewards. Dogs in particular have a reputation for strengthening the bonds of families as “man’s best friend.” However dog owners need to be conscientious of others when caring for and training their dogs to protect the public.

Unfortunately, dog attacks on innocent victims are common. Dogs are protective by nature and can cause serious injuries if let loose or untrained. A harmful attack could warrant legal action and compensation. Illinois law holds the dog owner, handler, or keeper liable for any injuries from an unprovoked attack. The owner, handler or keeper is liable for an unprovoked attack even if the dog has never attacked anyone before.

Negligence, landlord liability, emotional distress, and personal injury are all factors to investigate in a dog bite case. Sufficient information must be collected that establishes liability to the dog owner and demonstrates the damages associated with the attack. Mario Palermo can help.

Awarded Millions in Verdicts & Settlements for our Clients

$1 Million

Palermo obtained $1 Million for a 64-year-old surveyor struck by a driver who denied doing so.

$1.3 Million

Mr. Palermo obtained $1.3 million dollars for an airline employee who was injured by an airport vehicle.

$400,000

Palermo obtained $400,000 for a 28-year-old woman from Aurora that was the victim of a hit-and-run.

$990,000

Palermo obtained $990,000 for an 81-year-old man from Romeoville that was injured by a cement truck.

What to look for when hiring a good

Oak Brook Dog Bite Lawyer

If you want to get the best legal representation for your dog bite injury, keep these things in mind while searching for a lawyer to help you:

Experience: Does the law firm have a strong reputation for trying personal injury cases before juries? Have they handled dog bite injury cases before?
Skill Level: Is the law firm well-versed in the process of how to deal with healthcare companies; and also know how to effectively prepare and settle a case?
Location: Where is the law firm located? Does the law firm cover the Chicagoland area?
Fee structure: How does the law firm charge? Do they work on a contingency basis at no cost to you unless you win your case?
Commitment: How committed will the law firm be to pursuing justice and the maximum compensation

When you have been injured from a dog bite, you need to know your legal options. It is important that you seek out advice from an experienced and knowledgeable accident attorney with a proven track record in personal injury law. Palermo Law Group can help you – we will help you get the justice and compensation that you deserve for your dog bite injury.

What to do After A Dog Bite

Side Effects of Dog Bites

Dog bites may cause other ailments, especially if left untreated, like:

Infection (dogs can hold a lot of bacteria in their mouth)
Rabies
Tetanus
Nerve damage/muscle damage
Broken bones
Scarring
In some cases, death

Seek Medical Attention

The first priority is to get treatment for the bite. Dog bites can have serious side effects, even if the initial injury doesn’t seem severe, so always seek professional medical attention. Call an ambulance or have someone drive you to the emergency room.

Waiting to get treatment in hopes of the symptoms magically subsiding can delay your recovery. Ironically, this can lead you to missing more work and prolong your treatment, requiring additional medical care. Many people avoid getting treatment because they don’t want to miss work, incur medical bills, or because they don’t have time. Waiting to get treatment in the beginning can lead to additional lost time and medical bills at the end, even if the injury doesn’t seem severe.

It’s important to seek medial attention no matter what, but especially in these cases:

The wound won’t stop bleeding
The wound is inflamed and/or red
You are running a fever or feel weak
You are unsure of your tetanus shot history
You were bit by an unknown dog, or a dog that appeared sick.

Rabies is always fatal if left untreated. If you think you may have been bitten by a rabies infected dog, do not hesitate to seek medical care. If you can, ask the owner if if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.

File A Report

Legally document the incident by filing a report with the appropriate authorities. This typically will be your city or county police department. Making sure your incident is in police records can even help future dog bite victims of the same dog.

Gather Evidence

Gather evidence at the scene if you can do so safely. If you or someone you trust are able to get the contact information of the dog owner before leaving the scene, do so. This will help you later in the legal process to get the compensation you deserve.

After you receive medical care, photograph all of your injuries. Make sure to document the medical process in some way if you want to pursue financial compensation for medical bills. Keep a journal of your healing process and gather all medical documents.

Wondering if you have a case? Schedule a free consultation with our Attorney

Damages in an Illinois Dog Bite Case

Negligence
Landlord liability
Emotional distress

Treatments for Dog Bite Complications

Rabies – since rabies is so life threatening, it’s important that you seek medical treatment right away if there’s a chance you may have contracted it. Rabies drugs are notoriously expensive and can sometimes cost thousands of dollars. That’s why it’s important to contact a dog bite attorney and get compensation for medical bills.

Infections – bacteria infections can also be fatal if left untreated. Typically, the treatment for an infection is an antibiotic that you’ll take for 1-2 weeks.

Tetanus – tetanus infection can be life threatening, so it’s important to get medical care if you don’t remember when your last tetanus vaccine was. Tetanus vaccines are common in the U.S., so infection is rare, but adults need a booster every 10 years.

Nerve Damage – dog bites can cause nerve damage, which can sometimes be permanent. Nerve damage can’t always be fully healed, and oftentimes the treatment involves medication and long-term physical therapy.

GET A FREE CONSULTATION

630-684-2332

Free Legal Consultation

Consult with an Attorney

Once the dust clears, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will want you to make a recorded statement. Don’t do it. This statement is not intended to help you. Consult with an attorney first.

It is important to discuss your case with an attorney experienced in handling car accident cases as early as possible, even if you are not sure that you want to hire an attorney. Most personal injury lawyers are happy to provide a free legal consultation.

Your lawyer should know what the value of your case is and guide you through every step of the process. This is similar to hiring a real estate agent to buy or sell a home. Many people are also unaware of the substantial coverage they have with their own automobile insurance companies. This is especially important in cases where the at-fault party does not have adequate, or any, insurance. Do not miss out on your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that you have been paying for.

Illinois Dog Bite Laws

Illinois has a specific law regarding dog bites that makes dog owners liable for any injury the dog causes for others. It’s called the Animal Control Act, and says that dog bite victims are eligible for compensation if the owner is found to be negligent. For example, if an owner lets a dog off leash in a public park and the dog bites someone, that is considered negligent behavior.

Illinois a strict liability state, where owners are liable for injuries the dogs caused, even if the dog had never demonstrated aggression in the past. If the dog injures someone unprovoked, the owner is liable. Landlord liability and emotional distress cases are also possible in Illinois.

Especially if the victim suffered long term or permanent damage, like scarring, a disability, rehabilitation expenses, or lost wages, victims are protected by this Illinois law and have the right to financial compensation.

No Fee Guarantee

The legal process may seem overwhelming at first, but this is where you will find the value in hiring Palermo Law Group on a contingency basis – meaning we do not get paid unless you win. Our expert team handles all the necessary paperwork, phone calls, and negotiations with the insurance adjuster’s, defense attorneys, and others so you can focus on your recovery.

Free Legal Consultation

What our clients say about us

Mario Palermo and Palermo Law Group have an outstanding reputation with 5-star reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, and Aavo.

Mario Palermo represented my husband in a semi truck accident. Mario was the best choice for us looking back. Mario was always attentive to our concerns, prompt in keeping us informed about the developments of our case. We knew that of course he had other cases, but we always felt as though he gave us his full attention when we needed him. Trust me when I say that he is the best! I trust him implicitly!

Monique

Mario is a very good lawyer. He was very consistent and patient with my case– he really tried to get the most money he possibly could get me for my pain and suffering. Even though it was a really hard time in my life, I look back at the whole thing with fond memories because with Mario’s help, it turned out okay. I would definitely recommend Mario for your personal injury lawyer.

Jim

Mr. Palermo is my go-to for any personal injury case. Mr. Palermo is an experienced Trial Attorney and I am confident in his legal knowledge and abilities. I refer all of my personal injury cases to him because I know my clients will be in good hands.

Naveed S. Husain, Esq.

Mario Palermo is the attorney we were fortunate enough to have by our side during an extremely difficult time. We found him to be ethical, intelligent and compassionate. He was always prepared and willing to fight for his clients’ rights. I would highly recommend him, and have, to anyone facing the need for an attorney.

Gary