Dog Bite Injuries Attorney in Heritage Lake

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Jeff Bier – Personal Injury Lawyer At Carlson Bier Associates
Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

At Carlson Bier, we understand the physical and emotional trauma a dog bite injury can inflict. Our team of highly skilled attorneys is well-equipped to handle these delicate legal matters, as we are experienced in navigating Illinois’ laws regarding such injuries. We prioritize ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your pain, medical expenses and other damages associated with being bitten by a dog. As an exemplary personal injury law firm, our dedication goes beyond mere representation; at Carlson Bier, you’re not just another case number – we value your trust on the personal journey towards justice and recovery. In addition to our technical expertise in this area of law holding statewide recognition in Illinois, our empathetic approach sets us apart from others when it comes to handling dog bite cases around Heritage Lake community and beyond. So if you’re seeking reliable support following a distressing canine encounter, entrust your cause to Carlson Bier: where compassion meets competence.

About Carlson Bier

Dog Bite Injuries Lawyers in Heritage Lake Illinois

At Carlson Bier, we are persistent advocates for individuals who have sustained injuries due to dog bites. We understand the physical and emotional trauma that comes with such incidents and how they can significantly disrupt a life. As seasoned personal injury attorneys based in Illinois, our forte is crafting compelling legal approaches to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve after a dog bite incident.

There’s no denying that dogs are often considered part of the family. However, sometimes these seemingly docile pets can turn aggressive, leading to incidents which result in severe bite injuries. Therefore, learning about the nitty-gritty of dog-bite incidences forms an integral aspect of understanding your rights as a victim.

Dog bite laws in Illinois are fundamentally premised on strict liability concept. It implies that pet owners cannot escape culpability if their animal causes harm to another person or property, irrespective of whether the owner was aware or unaware of its vicious tendencies.

• In reality, it means your proof burden involves establishing that you were conducting yourself peacefully when bitten.

• The pet tried to attack, causing harm without any provocation on your end.

• Above all else, you were legally allowed in space where this unfortunate occurrence took place.

An essential component while navigating through such circumstances is understanding the severity associated with different levels of dog bites:

Puncture Wounds – These types of wounds occur when a dog’s tooth enters into someone’s skin and creates an open wound susceptible to infection.

Lacerations – These are deep cuts or tears likely to cause significant tissue damage or scarring due to a powerful jaw clamping down on flesh.

Crushing Injuries – This happens when powerful jaws apply excessive pressure causing bone fractures.

Infection Risk – Dogs mouths contain myriad bacteria making them capable carriers for infectious diseases like rabies and tetanus.

Securing corresponding compensation form an imperative part treating & aiding recovery from such serious wounds. Compensation may cover incurred medical expenses including treatment, rehabilitation, plastic surgery and psychological counseling. Furthermore, it can address lost wages if the victim was unable to work due to injury. In some cases compensation for emotional distress may also be pursued.

Furthermore, we are aware that victims of such traumatic incidents often deal with an ongoing fear and anxiety long after physical wounds have healed. Such post-traumatic stress is often unseen but can severely impact an individual’s life- another crucial factor we consider when pursuing rightful compensation.

Navigating through the intricate legal terrain following a dog bite incident isn’t something you should undertake alone. Allow experienced attorneys at Carlson Bier guide you through every step of this process. We understand that every case has unique dynamics and merits tailored strategies – something our expertise allows us to deliver efficiently.

Let us assure you: Representation from Carlson Bier means having aggressive advocates on your side who aren’t afraid to take your fight against insurance companies or uncooperative pet owners aiming to minimize their liability.

It may seem daunting now but remember, securing your rights starts with taking decisive action! For more comprehensive understanding about compensation possibilities fitting your specific situation, we urge all potential clients to utilize our case evaluation feature by clicking on the button below. By doing so, let our skilled team evaluate how much your claim might be worth – Allowing us not just as professional representatives but persons genuinely vested in restoring normalcy back into a victim’s life.

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Notable Illinois Appellate Wins

Moruzzi v. CCC Servs., Inc., 2020 IL App (2d) 190411, 171 N.E.3d 61
Background: Insured motorist filed action against insurer for declaratory judgment seeking construction of automobile insurance policy issued to insured and that was in effect when insured was injured by an underinsured driver. The Circuit Court, DuPage County, Bonnie M. Wheaton, J., granted the insurer's motions for summary judgment. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Zenoff, J., held that:1 medical payments reduction clause in automobile insurance policy conflicted with underinsured motorist provisions so as to render reduction clause ambiguous, and thus medical payment benefits were deductible from insured's damages;2 law firm representing insured did not create common fund or common funds when it reached settlement with underinsured motorist, and thus law firm was not entitled to recover fees under common-fund doctrine; and3 collateral estoppel did not bar automobile insurers from litigating whether common-fund doctrine applied in insured motorist's declaratory judgment action.Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
Maier v. CC Servs., Inc., 2019 IL App (3d) 170640, 132 N.E.3d 795
Background: After insured, who was injured in automobile collision with another driver, recovered full liability limits of driver's policy, she filed amended complaint for declaratory judgment against her own automobile insurer, alleging that insurer breached contractual duty to pay for insured's damages in accordance with uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in insured's policy and that insurer acted in bad faith in denying insured such coverage. The Circuit Court, La Salle County, Troy D. Holland, J., granted the insurer's motion to dismiss claims as time-barred. Insured appealed.The Appellate Court ruled that neither the insurer nor the insured could add amended policy provisions to the court record. It was decided that the policy's requirement for a written arbitration demand applied to both uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. The court found that a letter from the insured's attorney to the insurer wasn't a valid arbitration demand nor a proof of loss to toll the statute of limitations. Finally, the insurer was permitted to use the defense based on the two-year statute of limitations period. The court's decision was affirmed.
Econ. Premier Assurance Co. v. Country Mut. Ins. Co., 2021 IL App (1st) 192364-U
Holding: The circuit court's order that granted defendant's motion for summary judgment and denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment was proper where defendant had no duty to indemnify its insured with respect to the underlying complaint and therefore plaintiff was not entitled to recover against defendant on its subrogation or unjust enrichment claims; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Westerheide, 2023 IL App (5th) 220343-U
Holding: The court affirmed judgment of the circuit court granting summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff where the defendant failed to make a written demand for arbitration within two years from the date of the accident as required by the underinsured provisions of the defendant's automotive insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Olsak, 2022 IL App (1st) 200695, 216 N.E.3d 291
In a complex legal case, an insurer sought to avoid defending or indemnifying a hockey player under a policy issued to the player's stepfather after the player was sued for assaulting his coach. The initial Circuit Court ruling favored the insurer, but the Appellate Court reversed this decision, leading to a protracted legal battle. Ultimately, the Appellate Court determined the insurer was liable only up to the $3 million policy limit and found the insurer's four-year delay in seeking a declaratory judgment to be reasonable. This case highlights important aspects of insurance litigation and policy limit liabilities.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Durkin Elec. Co., Inc., 2022 IL App (1st) 210293-U, appeal denied, 199 N.E.3d 1187 (Ill. 2022)
Holding: The circuit court's order that denied plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment and found that defendant was an additional insured under the policy was proper. The circuit court's order that denied defendant's motion for summary judgment and found that plaintiff did not have a duty to defend or indemnify defendant under the policy was proper; affirmed.
Country Preferred Ins. Co. v. Groen, 2017 IL App (4th) 160028, 69 N.E.3d 911
Background: Uninsured motorist (UM) carrier brought action against insured for declaratory judgment that it owed no benefits since workers' compensation received by insured exceeded policy limits. The Circuit Court, Sangamon County, Chris Perrin, J., entered summary judgment in favor of the carrier. Insured appealed.Holdings: The Appellate Court, Harris, J., held that:1 employer's medical payments entitled carrier to setoff, and2 setoff clauses were enforceable.Affirmed.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Frobish, 2021 IL App (3d) 190473-U
Holding: Allegations in the underlying complaint that a township employee caused property damage by excavating and digging out a ditch failed to impose a duty to defend under township employee's individual farm insurance policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Jones, 2018 IL App (1st) 173154-U
Holding: The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed; plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment on its claim for a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend or indemnify its insured against the underlying complaint because the loss claimed in the underlying complaint is subject to an exclusion. The court held that it would also enter judgment for plaintiff because the underlying complaint does not allege an “occurrence” causing bodily injury within the meaning of the policy.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Schmitt, 2021 IL App (5th) 190173-U
Holding: The appellate court reversed and remanded the judgment of the circuit court where plaintiff had no duty to defend its insured and thus was not stopped from raising policy defenses to coverage for the underlying tort action contained in the amended declaratory action.
Country Mut. Ins. Co. v. Livorsi Marine, Inc., 222 Ill. 2d 303, 856 N.E.2d 338 (2006) (the late Keith Carlson)
Liability insurer brought action against insureds for a declaratory judgment based on failure to provide timely notice of lawsuits against them. The Circuit Court, Cook County, Stephen A. Schiller, J., entered judgment for the insurer. Insureds appealed. The Appellate Court, Wolfson, J., 358 Ill.App.3d 880, 295 Ill.Dec. 665, 833 N.E.2d 871, affirmed. Leave to appeal was granted.Holdings: The Supreme Court, Garman, J., held that:1 if the insurer did not receive reasonable notice of an occurrence or a lawsuit, the policyholder may not recover under the policy, regardless of whether the lack of reasonable notice prejudiced the insurer, overruling Rice v. AAA Aerostar, Inc., 294 Ill.App.3d 801, 229 Ill.Dec. 20, 690 N.E.2d 1067, and Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Baur's Opera House, Inc., 296 Ill.App.3d 1011, 230 Ill.Dec. 624, 694 N.E.2d 593, and2 insured did not need to prove that it was prejudiced by delayed notice of lawsuits.Affirmed.
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Dog Bite Injuries FAQ​

The most common causes of dog bite injuries in Chicago include:

  • Unprovoked attacks: These attacks occur when a dog bites someone with no warning or provocation.
  • Provoked attacks: These attacks occur when someone does something to provoke the dog, such as teasing it or trying to take its food away.
  • Territory guarding: These attacks occur when a dog bites someone who is entering its territory.
  • Motherhood protection: These attacks occur when a mother dog bites someone who is approaching her puppies.

If you are bitten by a dog in Chicago, you should:

  • Clean the wound immediately with soap and water.
  • Apply a bandage to the wound.
  • Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor.
  • Report the dog bite to the local animal control agency.

Dog bite injuries can have a number of long-term effects, both physical and emotional. Some people may experience chronic pain, scarring, or nerve damage. Others may develop a fear of dogs or other animals.

Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that the owner of a dog is liable for any injuries caused by the dog, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was capable of such behavior.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as if the person who was bitten was trespassing on private property or if the person provoked the dog.

Yes, you are entitled to compensation if you are bitten by a dog and have suffered injuries. You can file a lawsuit against the dog owner to recover your damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

All Attorney Services in Heritage Lake

Areas of Practice in Heritage Lake

Pedal Cycle Accidents

Specializing in legal assistance for victims injured in bicycle accidents due to others's lack of care or hazardous conditions.

Flame Burns

Offering specialist legal help for sufferers of intense burn injuries caused by events or misconduct.

Healthcare Negligence

Extending experienced legal advice for clients affected by physician malpractice, including wrong treatment.

Merchandise Responsibility

Addressing cases involving problematic products, delivering adept legal assistance to victims affected by faulty goods.

Geriatric Neglect

Representing the rights of the elderly who have been subjected to neglect in elderly care environments, ensuring restitution.

Slip & Stumble Injuries

Expert in handling slip and fall accident cases, providing legal advice to individuals seeking compensation for their suffering.

Birth Damages

Delivering legal help for families affected by medical carelessness resulting in infant injuries.

Car Incidents

Accidents: Devoted to guiding victims of car accidents obtain reasonable settlement for wounds and harm.

Scooter Mishaps

Specializing in providing legal assistance for individuals involved in two-wheeler accidents, ensuring rightful claims for damages.

Semi Crash

Offering expert legal services for victims involved in truck accidents, focusing on securing rightful compensation for harms.

Building Site Collisions

Concentrated on advocating for employees or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to oversights or recklessness.

Cognitive Traumas

Focused on offering professional legal representation for patients suffering from cognitive injuries due to accidents.

Canine Attack Traumas

Expertise in dealing with cases for clients who have suffered harms from K9 assaults or wildlife encounters.

Cross-walker Collisions

Specializing in legal assistance for joggers involved in accidents, providing effective representation for recovering recovery.

Unwarranted Passing

Striving for relatives affected by a wrongful death, offering caring and expert legal assistance to ensure fairness.

Spinal Cord Trauma

Focused on defending individuals with vertebral damage, offering professional legal services to secure redress.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer