Illinois law is on your side when it comes to dog bites. The owner is responsible, even if their dog has never bitten anyone before. You don’t have to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you, the owner is liable. That’s the law in Illinois, and it makes getting compensation simpler than in other states.
But insurance companies don’t make it simple. They’ll try to pay as little as possible. They’ll say you provoked the dog. They’ll say the injuries aren’t that bad. They’ll drag their feet and hope you give up. That’s where our Naperville dog bite lawyers step in.
Personal Injury Claims After Dog Attacks
A dog bite is a personal injury claim. This means you can recover money for your medical bills, lost wages if you missed work, and the pain and suffering from the attack. For children, these cases often include money for future therapy because dog attacks can cause lasting fear and anxiety.
Medical bills add up fast after a dog bite. You might need stitches or surgery. Infections often happen with animal bites. Some people need plastic surgery months later when they realize the scars aren’t healing the way they hoped. Physical therapy helps people regain full use of their hand or arm after severe bites.
Shuman Legal handles personal injury claims for dog attacks across Naperville. We work with your doctors to document every injury. We gather photos, medical records, and witness statements. Insurance companies respect cases that are built strongly from the start. Our lawyers know what evidence matters and how to present it.
Pain and suffering payments depend on how bad the bite was. A small bite that heals in a week is different from an attack that leaves permanent scars on your face. Children who develop a lasting fear of dogs deserve compensation for that ongoing struggle. Naperville dog bite lawyers at Shuman Legal know how to value these claims correctly.
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Discover how we can help you navigate through your legal case if you’ve been attacked by a dog in Illinois.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Getting fair compensation is what we do. Most dog bite cases settle without going to court. The insurance company reviews our demand, sees we’ve built a strong case, and makes a reasonable offer. When they don’t, we file a lawsuit and take the case to trial. Our firm has a 95% success rate at trial, and insurance companies know that.
Your compensation covers several types of damages. Medical expenses come first. This includes emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, medications, therapy, and any future treatment you’ll need. Wage loss compensation helps you stay afloat while you heal. If the bite kept you from working, we claim those lost paychecks.
Scarring and disfigurement add another layer to your claim. Visible scars on your face, arms, or legs affect your confidence and how others see you. Children with facial scars may need multiple surgeries as they grow. We factor in these future costs when building your demand.
Emotional distress is real after a dog attack. Many victims develop a fear of dogs that affects their daily life. They avoid parks, won’t visit friends who have dogs, and feel anxious when a dog approaches. Children may have nightmares or refuse to play outside. This suffering deserves compensation.
Medical Treatment for Dog Bite Injuries
Getting proper medical treatment is your first priority after a dog bite. Even small bites can cause infections. Go to the emergency room or urgent care right away.
Doctors clean the wound thoroughly and check for damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves. Deep bites sometimes damage structures beneath the skin that need surgical repair. If you don’t know the dog’s vaccination status, you might need rabies shots as a precaution.
Watch for infection signs like redness spreading from the wound, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever. Call your doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms. Antibiotics treat most infections, but severe cases require hospitalization.
Bites on the face often leave visible scars even with excellent medical care. Children’s scars may require multiple revision surgeries as they grow. Mental health treatment matters after traumatic attacks. Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder after severe attacks.
Keep all medical records and bills organized. Take photos of your injuries as they heal to document the severity.
Illinois Dog Bite Laws
Illinois has strict liability for dog bites. The owner is responsible regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before. You don’t need to prove negligence. If the dog bit you and you weren’t trespassing or provoking the animal, the owner is liable.
This strict liability rule makes Illinois a good state for dog bite victims. Other states require you to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Illinois law skips those requirements.
The law protects people who were acting peacefully when the attack happened. Provocation is a defense the owner might try, but kids being kids doesn’t count as provocation.
Illinois gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Cases take months to build properly, so the sooner you call a lawyer, the stronger your case will be. Homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover dog bites under their liability provisions.
Working with Shuman Legal
Shuman Legal offers free consultations for dog bite victims in Naperville. Call us at (630) 349-5244 and tell us what happened. We’ll explain your rights and whether you have a case.
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t get paid unless you get paid. You won’t pay anything upfront.
Our lawyers handle all communication with the insurance company. We protect you from tricks that could hurt your case. We investigate thoroughly by talking to witnesses, getting medical records, and finding out about the dog’s history.
Our 95% trial success rate speaks for itself. Insurance companies in Illinois know Marc J. Shuman and our team. They know we win at trial, and they’d rather settle than face us in court. You’ll have your lawyer’s direct phone number, and we’ll keep you updated throughout your
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Common Questions About Dog Bite Cases
What if I don’t know who owns the dog?
Ask neighbors if they recognize the dog. Contact Naperville Animal Control at (630) 420-6080. They keep records of dog bites and may know the owner. Post on neighborhood social media groups.
My child was bitten. Can I still bring a claim?
Absolutely. Parents file claims on behalf of children under 18. Children’s cases are often more valuable because they may need multiple surgeries as they grow, and scarring affects them for life.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Illinois gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. Contact a lawyer much sooner. The earlier we start, the stronger your case becomes.
Can I handle this myself without a lawyer?
Insurance companies treat unrepresented victims differently. They offer lower settlements because people don’t understand the full value of their claims. Since we work on contingency, hiring us costs nothing upfront and usually results in more money in your pocket, even after our fee.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
What you do immediately after a dog bite affects both your health and your legal case.
Get to safety first. Move away from the dog if it’s still loose. Call 911 if the bite is severe. For less severe bites, clean the wound with soap and water immediately, then get to a doctor or urgent care center.
Report the bite to Naperville Police at (630) 420-8787 and Animal Control at (630) 420-6080. Get information about the dog and the owner. Write down the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
Take photos of your injuries right away. Take more photos every few days as the wound heals. Photograph the location where the attack happened. Find witnesses and get their contact information.
See a doctor even if the bite seems minor. Keep all medical bills and records. Don’t give a statement to the owner’s insurance company without talking to a lawyer first. Call Shuman Legal at (630) 349-5244 before talking to any insurance adjuster.
Moving Forward After a Dog Attack
A dog attack is traumatic. Recovery takes time. Physical wounds heal, but emotional scars can last longer. Working with Shuman Legal takes one burden off your shoulders. We handle the legal fight while you focus on healing.
Fair compensation helps you move forward. Medical bills get paid. Lost wages are replaced. Future treatment is covered. While money can’t undo what happened, it removes financial stress and helps you access the care you need.
Children deserve special attention after dog attacks. Therapy helps them work through fear and anxiety. Your compensation claim should include these mental health costs.
At Shuman Legal, we’ve walked hundreds of families through this process. We know what you’re going through and how to get you fair compensation. Call us today at (630) 349-5244 for a free consultation. Tell us what happened and let us explain your options. We’re here to help.
