Dog Bite Attorneys In Naperville, Illinois
Were you or was your loved one injured in an animal attack, such as a dog bite? At Marker & Crannell, we urge you to get prompt, top-notch medical attention as well as timely legal advice.
A dog bite is traumatic and can leave both physical and psychological scars. Even if the dog’s owner is a friend or family member, do not hesitate to get legal counsel. You may be eligible for compensation through a dog owner’s or property owner’s homeowner’s insurance or other sources.
The Devastating Impact Of A Dog Bite Injury
Dog bites, dog attacks and other injuries caused by animals cause harm that ranges from scratches and puncture wounds to life-long disfiguring and disabling injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for many people.
The Illinois Animal Control Act holds the owner responsible for injuries caused by their animal, “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 she or he may lawfully be.”
While this sounds simple, these matters are often complex and you should consult with one of our Aurora and Naperville dog bite attorneys before you do anything that could harm your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites
Below, we discuss some of the common questions our dog bite attorneys get regarding their potential claims. Keep reading to learn more:
Q: How do I find out if the dog/animal owner has insurance? Or how do I find out who my neighbor’s homeowner’s insurance company is?
A: This is a tough question to answer. Most homeowners are required to maintain homeowner’s insurance if they have a mortgage. But, not all homeowner’s insurance policies cover dog bites and/or animal attacks. Some policies exclude attacks or bites of certain dog breeds, like pit bulls. Some exclude dog bites or animal attacks completely.
Our dog bite attorneys are familiar with various homeowners’ coverages and exclusions, so we can quickly review the policy in question and tell you whether or not your injuries are covered.
If the dog owner is a renter, there may be a claim against the renter’s insurance or the landlord’s insurance. This analysis requires a great deal of investigation and sometimes requires filing a lawsuit to get the information we need to identify and analyze the various insurance policies.
Q: When I make a dog bite injury claim, what happens to my neighbor? Is the claim against my neighbor, their insurance company, or both?
A: This is often a delicate situation. Our attorneys have represented neighbors, postal workers (who continue to see their customers on their route during and after the claim), and complete strangers.
As experienced local dog bite attorneys, we pride ourselves on providing professional representation. In other words, we conduct ourselves as if we have to live next to the dog owner for the foreseeable future because we know most dogs bite people who live or work near where the bite occurs.
Most often, your neighbor’s insurance will cover the cost of their attorney and their insurance company will pay for your injuries, not your neighbor.
Q: What happens to the dog/animal if I make a claim? Or Can I request the animal to be “put down” or euthanized? Or Can I request that the animal not be put down or euthanized?
A: This is largely out of your and our hands, aside from any agreement you, or we, might be able to reach with the homeowner.
Animal control should be notified and their investigation, the dog’s history and the owner’s response will influence the outcome for the animal.
Q: What can I recover for a dog bite claim?
A: The law entitles you to be “made whole” for your injuries. This means you should receive economic damages to cover past and future medical bills, lost wages, and household services if you have to hire someone to do things you are not able to do because of your injuries.
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages, including past and future pain and suffering, disability or loss of a normal life, disfigurement, and mental or emotional distress.
Schedule A Free Consultation After A Dog Bite Injury With An Attorney
We have more than 35 years of combined experience and we look forward to putting our skills to use for you after you have been bitten by a dog.
If you have questions about your injuries and potential claim, reach out to us online or by phone at 630-912-6009 to add your name to our calendar for a free consultation. If you would like to forego the initial intake process, we give you the option to complete this form prior to our meeting.