Speak to a Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer today and call the Romaker Law Firm for assistance and help you get the compensation you deserve!
Many people go about there day or walk within their neighborhood thinking they would never be attacked by a dog. Even if some dogs appear friendly, you never know if they think of you as an enemy and may act in a manner to protect their property. Dogs may be man’s best friend, but they aren’t always on their best behavior. As smart, loyal, loveable, and domesticated as dogs may be, they are still animals and remain prone to unpredictable – and sometimes aggressive or violent – behavior. Some dogs may have a propensity for aggression, while others may bite, jump or scratch if they are surprised or feel threatened. When dogs, especially large or strong ones, act out and attack people, they can cause severe and sometimes permanent injuries and disfigurement. The truth is, dog bite attacks happen quite often.
Approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer from a dog bite every year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These dog bite attacks result in hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits, thousands of hospitalizations, and scores of deaths.
A quick look at the numbers reveals the frequency and cost of dog bites:
- Between 2005 through 2017, dogs killed 433 Americans
- 9,500 Americans are hospitalized due to dog bite injuries each year
- 316,200 emergency department visits in one recent year were due to dog bites
- In 2015, more than 28,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.
- Dog bites (and other dog-related injuries) accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2015, costing more than $570 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Illinois had the second highest number of dog bite claims in the nation.
As bad as these statistics are, dog bites are actually on the rise, with more and more Americans finding themselves on the receiving end of unexpected and unprovoked dog attacks. Many people associate dog bites with such breeds as pit bulls and rottweilers. While these breeds are, in fact, responsible for a disproportionate number of dog bite injuries, any breed can suddenly act out and become violent. As a former director of safety for the U.S Postal Service put it: “Even good dogs can have a bad day.”
If you have been attacked by a dog, you need to take action right away. Don’t settle for attorneys that will not push for your compensation. The lawyers at our law firm are aggressive and will fight for the compensation you deserve. Think you don’t have a shot at winning your case? Well, call us for a free consultation and we can discuss on how we can win your case!
Even if you think the dog just had a bad day… a dog’s “bad day” can be an even worse one for the person attacked. Dog bite and attack victims can suffer a wide array of serious and sometimes permanent injuries, including:
- Bite Puncture wounds
- Infection
- Rabies
- Nerve damage
- Eye Injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial scars
- Emotional and psychological trauma including PTSD
Many of these dog bite injuries can require costly and painful medical treatment, rehabilitation, and reconstructive surgery, on top of the physical and mental trauma left behind in the aftermath of a dog attack. It’s important that you get compensated for what you may have to go through.
Fortunately, Illinois law provides remedies for dog bite victims, allowing them in many circumstances to hold the dog’s owner responsible for any injuries or losses. At The Romaker Law Firm, our dog bite attorneys have extensive experience and a long record of success obtaining compensation for victims of dog attacks in Chicago.
While we love dogs as you likely do, we also believe that innocent victims of unprovoked dog attacks should not have to bear the burden of medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses. For our neighbors in Chicago’s Hispanic community and throughout the city and suburbs, we hold dog owners accountable for their failure to protect others and work tirelessly to obtain the maximum amount of damages available to compensate innocent victims for their injuries, pain, and other losses.
Every state has its own dog bite laws which set forth how and when an owner can be liable for any injuries caused by their pet. Illinois has some of the strictest dog bite laws in the country when it comes to holding owners responsible for any injuries their dog causes.
While some states require a showing that an owner was negligent in restraining their dog and others give a pass to owners whose dog has never acted violently before, Illinois imposes liability on dog owners regardless of the dog’s prior history or the owner’s conduct.
The Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/1, et seq.) provides that:
“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”
This means that if a dog attacked you, you can recover compensation for your injuries if you can prove that
- The dog attacked, attempted to attack, or injured you
- You had a lawful right to be where you were when the incident occurred
- You did not provoke the dog.
With over 90 years of combined experience, thousands of cases won, and millions of dollars recovered for our clients, The Romaker Law Firm is one of the most trusted and respected personal injury firms in Chicagoland. We pride ourselves on the care, respect, and service we provide to every client we have the privilege to represent.
If you were the victim of a dog bite or attack, we invite you to contact us for your free consultation in Spanish or English. We will listen to your story, answer your questions and advise you of your options. If we believe you have a claim against the dog’s owner, we will fight to get you money to compensate you for:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Past and future lost earnings
- Your pain and suffering
- All other losses caused by the dog’s attack
Every case is important. Every client matters. Every dollar we put in your pocket can help make things better.
As our clients will tell you, The Romaker Law Firm in Chicago, Illinois takes care of our Chicago dog bite injury clients as if they were family. We welcome the opportunity to help you and your family during a difficult time.
Call us at (312)-377-7000, email us at info@romakerlaw.com or reach out online today to set up your free dog bite injury consultation in Spanish or English.
$300,000 Recovery
Our client owned a home in Chicago and was in his backyard near the fence that was next to his neighbor’s yard looking at his rose bush. His neighbor’s dog was usually chained to a stake in the back yard but on this day he was not. The neighbor’s dog jumped on top of the fence and bit off our client’s ear. Our client had extensive surgery to re-attach his ear but still had nightmares about the incident. The neighbor had a $300,000.00 homeowner’s insurance policy and after filing a lawsuit, the Romaker Law Firm successfully recovered the full amount of the $300,000.00 for the client.