Were you or your child bitten by someone else’s dog in Rockford, IL? You can count on Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to help you get the compensation you need. Call (815) 662-0330 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Rockford dog bite lawyer to set up a free consultation.
Our Rockford personal injury attorneys have decades of combined experience and have collectively recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts.
Dog bite injuries can leave you struggling with medical bills, pain, and a sudden loss of income. Contact our law offices in Rockford, Illinois, to learn how our lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help After a Dog Bite in Rockford, IL?
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is a top-rated personal injury law firm. When you want top-quality legal representation, turn to our Rockford personal injury lawyers for help.
Over the years, we’ve been recognized for our success by:
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers
- Forbes
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Most dog bite victims are forced to deal with insurance adjusters. While they may seem sympathetic, they’re out to pay as little as possible. These insurance companies know what they’re doing–and many injury victims unfortunately walk away with far less than they deserve.
Our Rockford dog bite attorneys know exactly how to handle the insurance and legal issues. We have a 99% success rate when it comes to recovering compensation for our injured clients and their families.
Don’t let the insurance company dictate your case value. Call our lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Statistics on Dog Bite Injury Claims in Illinois
Roughly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, according to research published by the Insurance Information Institute. Nationwide, 22,658 dog bite injury claims were filed with insurance during 2024.
Illinois ranked eighth on the list of states with the most dog bite insurance claims that year. Statewide, insurance companies paid roughly $61 million to settle dog bite injury claims in 2024.
What Is My Rockford Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of any personal injury claim is tied directly to the nature and severity of the victim’s injuries.
When assessing your case value, our lawyers will evaluate many different issues, including:
- Whether the dog bite will leave you with long-term or permanent injuries
- The cost of your medical care
- How much income you lost during recovery
- Long-term impacts on your earnings
- The extent of your pain and trauma
- The limits of any available insurance policies
- Whether you share any blame for your injuries
Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover dog bites and attacks. That said, the owner may contest your claim, and the insurance company will almost certainly contest the value of your claim.
It’s always best to hire an experienced Illinois dog bite attorney who can protect you. Contact us today to learn more about how much your case may be worth.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Rockford?
Illinois personal injury laws classify damages as economic or non-economic.
Economic damages are concerned with the financial costs you have incurred, including:
- Current medical bills
- Expected future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Nursing care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
Non-economic damages attempt to help you cope with the pain, trauma, and suffering you have experienced.
Examples of the more personal impacts of a dog bite injury may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Permanent physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety and fear
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
Our lawyers in Rockford often rely on experts as we work to determine the value of your personal losses and suffering. With their help, we’ll have the evidence to help us determine the value of your non-economic damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Case?
Most Illinois personal injury laws work on a contingency fee basis, and our firm is no different. When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay us a percentage of your settlement or verdict if we’re successful. That way, you won’t have to worry about paying any initial fees.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in Illinois?
You could lose your right to damages if you’re blamed for provoking the dog. Provocation is an extremely common defense in dog bite injury cases.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence law. When a victim is more than 50% responsible for their own injuries, they typically cannot recover compensation. When a victim is partly responsible, but not mostly responsible, their damages are usually reduced in proportion to their share of blame.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Rockford, Illinois
Dog attacks can result in any number of injuries.
Our lawyers in Rockford represent clients who have suffered:
- Deep lacerations and torn skin
- Severe bruising
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Serious infections
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee and joint injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations caused by infection
- Sepsis
Regardless of the nature of your injuries, seek legal advice sooner rather than later. The dog’s owner may owe you significant compensation. Our attorneys are prepared to help you fight for every dollar you deserve.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Illinois?
The statute of limitations in Illinois personal injury cases generally gives you two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. After two years, you can typically no longer sue for damages.
Exceptions to this deadline are fairly rare. That said, many dog bite injury victims are children. When a child is injured, the two-year statute of limitations period usually doesn’t start running until the child turns 18. Of course, parents may have the opportunity to take legal action on behalf of their children before the child turns 18.
In all cases, you shouldn’t wait too long to assert your legal rights. As time passes, evidence tends to disappear, and memories can fade. Our lawyers can begin our investigation immediately to preserve your rights.
What Are the Laws on Dog Bite Injuries in Illinois?
States have different ways of handling dog bite injury claims. Illinois generally has a strict liability law for dog bite injuries. The dog’s owner can typically be held liable for a dog bite victim’s injuries regardless of their actions.
To recover damages for dog bite injuries based on the Illinois strict liability law, you must prove:
- You were legally on private property or on public property when the attack occurred.
- The defendant owned the dog.
- You behaved peacefully and did not provoke the dog to attack or bite.
- The dog attacked you, or attempted to attack you.
- You were injured and suffered damages.
You don’t have to prove the dog was vicious or aggressive in the past.
Strict liability laws are helpful for victims because they usually won’t have to prove negligence to recover damages. That said, negligence theories may be relevant to your case, depending on the facts.
Understanding the Impact of Negligence Theories in Illinois Dog Bite Cases
You may also bring a dog bite injury claim on the grounds that the dog’s owner was negligent.
Someone is negligent when:
- They owe you a duty of care (all dog owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep their dogs from injuring others).
- They breach their duty of care, perhaps by failing to keep the dog confined or secured on a leash.
- The breach of duty is why the dog bite occurred.
- You suffered damages.
Negligence can be relevant if the owner has some evidence that you provoked the dog or if someone other than the dog’s owner can be held legally responsible for your dog bite injuries.
Who is Responsible for Paying My Damages After Suffering a Dog Bite Injury in Illinois?
The dog’s owner can be held responsible for damage caused by their animal.
The responsible party may also depend on who was in control of the dog when the bite occurred and where the attack occurred.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Groomers
- Kennels
- Dog walkers
- Pet sitters
- Doggie daycare centers
- Negligent business or property owners who allowed a dangerous dog on the premises
- The employer of someone responsible for the dog
Multiple parties may share legal responsibility for the same attack. Identifying all at-fault parties can be the key to recovering the full compensation you deserve. Call us today to learn more about your rights and options.
Contact Our Rockford Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Dog bites can cause lasting damage. If someone else’s dog attacked you, contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to learn about your legal rights. An experienced Rockford dog bite lawyer can greatly impact the amount of money that you end up taking home.
