Buffalo Grove Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites result in thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Most dog attacks are unprovoked, but often insurance companies will not cover your medical bills because they consider all dogs to be vicious animals until proven otherwise.

Even if a stray or neighbor’s pet bit you, many insurance companies could still deny coverage for this type of animal attack as well. We can help! Has an animal bite injured you?

The Buffalo Grove personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can start building your case against the owner/breeder who should have protected their dog from causing harm to others.

Call a Buffalo Grove dog bite lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation.

Dog Bite Statistics

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), over 4.5 million dog bites are reported in the US each year, with around 400,000 children under ten years old. Most of these injuries are not severe, but it only takes one bite to cause serious problems or even death for you or someone else.

Not Every Dog is Lovable and Friendly

You cannot predict when your dog will turn on you or someone else. It only takes one slip up in judgment to result in injury to yourself or a family member. Most dogs are naturally afraid of people, but this fear can quickly turn into aggression when the animal feels threatened for some reason.

Whether it’s because of the appearance of a stranger, lack of food, pain, or any number of other factors, who knows what can set off an attack? There are steps that any adult or child can take to avoid confrontation with the vicious dog or domestic animal, including:

• Never make direct eye contact with the animal
• Do not run or scream if you see a strange animal approaching
• Do not thrust your hand in front of the dog and pet them unexpectedly
• If possible, back away slowly while facing the dog and avoid direct eye contact
• If an attack is imminent, curl into a ball on your stomach, putting your hands over the back of your neck

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

In the middle of May every year, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, celebrates National Dog Bite Prevention Week to inform the public that any dog has the potential to bite. More than 4.5 million individuals are bitten by dogs annually, where one in five bite victims require immediate medical attention at an emergency room.

Animal attacks causing injury to an individual or other domestic animal often cause serious injuries and death. In addition to the physical injuries sustained in a dog attack, many individuals suffer traumatic experiences. They are emotionally harmed with a long-lasting fear of being around even the gentlest breed of dog.

Cook County and Buffalo Grove have enacted numerous animal ordinances to regulate dog behavior, ownership, and shelter to maintain public safety.

Leash Law Violations

Buffalo Grove, and the State of Illinois, have enacted leash laws to protect the public to help control dangerous animals. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, animals are required to be on a leash at all times when any person is not able to control them properly. The only exception is when an animal is hunting with someone in the sport of hunting that has a valid permit.

Violating the Illinois Animal Control Act can result in fines or even criminal charges if the dog bites anyone or causes property damage after being untied.

Buffalo Grove Dog Ordinances

The village of Buffalo Grove and Cook County have enacted various ordinances to control animals under the care and supervision of residents and visitors. Title VI, Chapter 6 of the Buffalo Grove code of ordinances refers to owning and keeping animals, including dogs.

Key ordinances include:

• Licensing Requirements: Any individual keeping or owning a dog four months or older within the village limits must purchase a license for the animal. The license tag is not transferable between pets. (Section 6.1 2.020)
• Rabies Vaccination: It is the responsibility of all dog owners or keepers to have the animal vaccinated against rabies. A licensed veterinarian can only give rabies vaccination and must last between one and three years. (Section 6.12 .010)
• Unlawful Running at Large: Dog owners must control their pet using a leash while walking or running on public streets, parkways, sidewalks, public areas, and any unenclosed location within the village. Pets must be kept in control by their owners or keepers at all times. Allowing animals to run at large through the village is unlawful. (Section 6.1 2.070)
• Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers: All Rottweilers andPit Bull Terriers owners must install a fenced enclosure or “special enclosure” within one year from the village dog license were obtained. These two breeds are dangerous animals and are not allowed off a non-retractable leash when off their owner’s premises. The two types of breeds can only leave the owner’s premises when under control in the owner’s care or any member of the family 16 years or older. (Section 6.1 2.125)
• Dog Bites: If the dog bites any individual, the Buffalo Grove Police Department will notify the pet owner of all steps required under the local Cook County Rabies/Animal Control Ordinance. (Section 6.1 2.110)
• Animal Cruelty: It is unlawful to engage in cruel treatment of any animal, including the unjustified injury or killing of an animal. Individuals who are found guilty of animal cruelty can be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense. (Section 6.1 2.180)
• Animals at Large/Unleashed Animals Prohibited: Any dog or other animal found running at large in the village can be impounded. All dogs must be on a leash when off the owner’s premises unless they are within an enclosed area. (Section 6.1 2.080)
• Noise Nuisance: No person shall own, harbor, or keep any animal that frequently barks, cries, or howls to the annoyance of any person. (Section 6.1 2.105)
• Animal Waste: Individuals must remove all feces and urine from the public property immediately and deposit it onto their property within a reasonable period, and shall pick up and dispose of any such matter deposited by pets on private property or public walks, recreation areas, parkways and landscaped areas on public property. (Section 6.1 2.105)

Not Just Pit Bulls are Dangerous

Even if you are only around your dog at home, there is still a risk that he could bite someone in your family or another person who is visiting. Large breeds are especially dangerous because they are strong enough to break bones without even trying hard.

Many people think pit bulls are the most deadly breed, but dogs can be unpredictable in certain situations. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the breeds most likely to attack include:

• Rottweilers
• Pitbull Terriers
• German shepherds
• Huskies
• Akitas
• Labradors
• Chow chows
• Sharpei
• Great Danes
• Greyhounds

Some breeds are more likely to cause severe injuries than others, especially when they attack young children. This is because they can act out of fear by using their powerful jaws and sharp teeth to sink into an innocent child without thinking twice.

Medical Bills Can Add Up Fast

Many individuals lose their homes due to their inability to pay medical bills in addition to other expenses after a dog attack. Veterinary costs for treating an animal can be expensive, especially when surgery is required.

Victims are often forced to take care of costly procedures necessary to save their pet’s life because owners will not help them with these payments or other expenses.

Some of the common injuries associated with vicious dog attacks include:

• Deep puncture wounds
• Permanently damaged nerves
• Facial disfigurement
• Fixed permanent scarring
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• The psychological trauma that can affect the victim for years to come

There are even cases where individuals lose their sight or are completely devoured by dogs after being bitten.

Pit Bull Insurance

In some areas of the United States, insurance companies have been known to cancel homeowner policies if they find out that people living there own a pit bull or other types of large dangerous breed dogs.

This insurance provides coverage when your dog attacks someone, but the company might make you pay a higher premium when renewing your policy, or they can even cancel it altogether. Dog bites and attacks can also cause you to lose your home, even if the aggressive dog is not yours, because most people will not want to live in a neighborhood with an animal that has been known to attack.

Personal injury claims involving dog bites have gone up over the years, which might be due to more awareness of the effects and injuries they can cause, but it also means that more dogs are roaming un-leashed in public places.

There has been a rise in dog attacks and animal bites on mail carriers, especially when it is unsafe to go into areas with no fences. Mail carriers in Buffalo Grove and other Northwest suburbs are protected by laws that require owners to keep dogs in an enclosed area, on a leash, or with someone who can control the animal at all times.

These procedures are not just meant to protect your pet; they will also keep anyone else in the neighborhood safe from harm. Even if you do not think that your dog would ever attack anyone, it only takes one mistake for a tragedy involving serious injuries or death to happen.

Dog Bite Victims Can’t Always Rely On Their Insurance Company to Pay for Their Injuries

Our Buffalo Grove dog bite lawyers understand that insurance companies do not always pay for their policyholders’ negligence concerning animal bites. They often refuse to cover dog bite injuries by claiming pets are inherently vicious, dangerous animals no matter what.

In these situations, the only way injury victims can recover damages for their medical bills and other costs is from the pet owner or breeder who was negligent in controlling or restraining his dog before it caused harm to someone else.

Resolving a civil lawsuit that holds the negligent owner responsible for their pet’s harmful actions requires proving that the animal was not restrained or had a history of aggressive behavior. If this is the case, there is a greater chance that you will recover damages for your injuries caused by dog bites.

Our Buffalo Grove, IL law firm has helped hundreds of dog bite victims recover millions in settlements and verdicts over the years for people harmed in animal attacks to pay for their ongoing medical expenses.

Many of our cases have involved dog owners of pit bulls, German shepherds, huskies, and other large breeds that tend to cause more damage when attacking someone or another animal.

Why it is Worth Suing for a Dog Bite

Many individuals harmed in dog bite attacks face a lifetime of changes from a facial disfigurement, deep wounds, broken bones, and infected punctures from the dog’s teeth. In addition, the healing process can take years to complete, if possible.

The mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional stress can create a stressful household. The State of Illinois has provided a legal remedy for injury victims harmed in dog attacks to receive maximum compensation for their injuries through the animal owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.

Illinois dog bite laws require that all necessary paperwork for filing a claim or lawsuit be completed before the expiration of the two-year statute of limitations on personal injury torts. However, an experienced dog bite lawyer can file all necessary paperwork before the deadline, which is why it is critical to hire an attorney quickly after a dog attack.

You might be entitled to financial recovery for your emotional trauma and medical bills associated with your dog bite injuries if a dog attacked you in Illinois. Contact our Buffalo Grove, IL, dog bite lawyers to discuss your legal rights. We have a proven track record of resolving dog bites and premises liability cases.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In Illinois, family members can file a civil lawsuit citing wrongful death if someone else’s animal killed their loved one through an attack. Individuals who qualify typically include surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents, and siblings.

Much like a personal injury case, wrongful death lawsuit claimants must file their dog bite claim before the statute of limitations expires, which is two years from the date of the incident in Illinois. A personal injury lawyer representing a dog bite victim can work with family members to determine if they qualify for wrongful death damages.

A personal injury attorney typically works on behalf of the injured individual to recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages.

For example, in cases involving animal attacks that resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one, family members can pursue compensation from the animal owner or others responsible for their relative’s death.

File Separate Cases

In these cases, a personal injury lawyer may choose to file a separate civil case against those responsible for the dog bite injuries, including the animal’s owner.

If a family member was killed due to a dog attack, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who can determine if your relative’s death was caused by negligence.

A wrongful death lawsuit will typically require evidence that the individual harmed failed to do their duty by the victim, such as taking reasonable steps to avoid injury or prevent another person from endangering others.

An experienced dog bite attorney can review the wrongful death case and determine if your family is entitled to compensation under Illinois law. Thedog bite attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC remind you that it is essential to report every dog bite or attack to allow an official investigation to begin.

Legal Representation Dog Bites: Hiring a Buffalo Grove Personal Injury Lawyer

Reporting the incident immediately after it happens helps establish the identification of the dog and its owner. Additionally, dog bite and attack cases are difficult to litigate on your own. Because of that, many victims choose to hire Buffalo Grove, IL, dog bite lawyers to file a claim or lawsuit.

Our dog bite attorneys can evaluate your case for free and has extensive resources to provide you with various legal options to ensure you are made whole again. Contact our law offices at (888) 424-5757 today for a free case review.

We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we get paid only after you receive a compensation settlement or a jury award. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Our dog bite lawyers represent clients in various practice areas throughout Illinois, including in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, Will County, Peoria County, Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Orland Park, Palos Park, Tinley Park, and other areas in the Northwest suburbs.

Buffalo Grove Dog Bite Lawyer Resources:

• NIH – Animal and Human Bite Wounds
• NIH – Management of dog bites in children