A dog bite lawsuit with our firm costs nothing out-of-pocket.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means we only receive a fee if we successfully recover money for you. The fee is a percentage of the final settlement or award we obtain on your behalf.
The conversation about cost, however, should really be about the expenses you are already facing. Medical bills, lost income, and the physical and emotional pain from the attack are the true costs of a dog bite. This article will explain how a lawsuit works to recover those costs, what factors influence the value of your claim, and how Illinois law protects victims of dog attacks.
If you have a question about the costs you’re facing after a dog bite, call Abels & Annes, P.C. for a free consultation at (312) 924-7575.
Key Takeaways for How Much a Dog Bite Lawsuit Costs in Illinois
- You pay no upfront fees for a dog bite lawsuit. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means we only collect a fee if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.
- Illinois law favors victims through "strict liability." You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous, only that you were acting peacefully in a place you were legally allowed to be.
- Compensation covers more than just initial medical bills. A lawsuit seeks to recover all costs, including future medical care, lost income, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
The Hidden Costs of a Dog Bite Injury
The first bill to arrive is usually from the emergency room. But that is usually just the beginning. You are likely worried about how you will cover these unexpected and mounting expenses. A dog bite injury sets off a cascade of costs that go far beyond the initial medical treatment and consulting a dog bite lawyer can help you understand your options.
Immediate and Future Medical Care
The initial costs are apparent: emergency room visits for stitches, wound cleaning, and sometimes rabies shots. The average cost of a hospital stay for a dog bite is substantial. But the expenses do not stop there.
Many victims require ongoing and future treatment, which might include follow-up appointments with specialists, physical therapy to regain mobility, or even reconstructive surgery. In fact, tens of thousands of people require reconstructive procedures after dog attacks each year.
Lost Income and Earning Potential
While you are recovering, you may be unable to work. This leads to a direct loss of income that puts a strain on your household finances. This includes lost salary and missed opportunities for overtime, bonuses, or promotions. If the injury results in a long-term disability, it affects your ability to earn a living for years to come.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll
Many victims, especially children, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or a lasting fear of dogs. The cost of therapy and counseling to address this trauma is another real, though less tangible, expense that a lawsuit helps cover.
How Does a Contingency Fee Actually Work?
A contingency fee is a percentage of the final financial recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe us no attorney's fees.
Think of it like a partnership. We invest our time, resources, and legal knowledge into building your case from the ground up. We only get paid for our work if that investment results in a successful outcome for you. This approach aligns our interests with yours; we are both focused on achieving the best possible result.
This structure allows you to focus on your recovery without the stress of watching legal bills pile up. It ensures that your ability to seek justice is not determined by the amount of money you have in the bank.
What the Fee Covers
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we advance all the costs necessary to pursue your claim. These advanced costs typically include:
- Case Investigation Costs: This involves gathering evidence, obtaining animal control records, and interviewing witnesses to build a strong foundation for your claim.
- Court Filing Fees: These are the administrative costs required to formally file a lawsuit with the court system.
- Expert Witness Fees: In some cases, we may consult with medical professionals or animal behaviorists to strengthen your claim. These experts require payment for their time and detailed analysis.
- Administrative Expenses: This covers the costs for depositions (sworn out-of-court testimony), document retrieval, and other essential legal paperwork.
What Financial Compensation Does a Lawsuit Recover?
The goal of a dog bite lawsuit is to secure compensation for your losses. In legal terms, this compensation is referred to as "damages." These damages are generally separated into two main categories, each designed to address a different aspect of the harm you have suffered.
1. Economic Damages: The Tangible Financial Losses
These are the costs that are calculated with bills, receipts, and pay stubs. They represent the direct financial impact of the injury.
- Medical Expenses (Past and Future): This is a comprehensive category covering everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room treatment to any future surgeries, physical therapy, or counseling your doctor recommends.
- Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity: This provides compensation for the income you have already lost while unable to work. If the injury is permanent and affects your ability to do your job long-term, it also covers the income you will be unable to earn in the future.
- Property Damage: If the dog destroyed personal property during the attack, such as your clothing, phone, or glasses, the cost to replace these items is included in your claim.
2. Non-Economic Damages: The Intangible Human Cost
These damages compensate for the ways the injury has affected your quality of life. They do not come with a simple price tag but are just as real and just as important as the economic losses.
- pain and suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain of the injury itself and the discomfort of the recovery process.
- Emotional Distress: This addresses the psychological impact of the attack, such as fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, or PTSD.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: This provides compensation for permanent changes to your appearance, which has a lasting effect on self-esteem and confidence.
- Loss of a Normal Life: If the injury prevents you from enjoying hobbies, activities, or relationships in the way you did before the attack, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
How Illinois Law Protects Dog Bite Victims
In some states, an injury victim has to prove a dog’s owner knew their dog was dangerous to have a case. This is sometimes called the "one-bite rule." Illinois is different, and thankfully, the law is on your side.
What is the Illinois Animal Control Act?
Illinois law (510 ILCS 5/16) operates on a "strict liability" basis. Simply put, if a dog attacks or injures someone who was acting peacefully and had a legal right to be in that place, the owner is liable for the full extent of the damages.
What this means for you is that you do not have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of aggression. The law holds the owner responsible, which simplifies the process of securing compensation.
Are There Any Exceptions?
The two main defenses a dog owner might try to use are provocation and trespassing. An owner may argue that you did something to provoke the dog into attacking or that you were not legally allowed to be on the property where the attack happened.
Our role at Abels & Annes, P.C. is to build a case that clearly shows you did nothing to provoke the attack and were lawfully present at the time of the incident.
Local Ordinances in Chicago
Cities like Chicago also have specific rules that further support your claim. For instance, the Chicago Municipal Code § 7-12 includes leash laws that require dogs to be restrained in public places. A violation of this ordinance serves as additional evidence of the owner's responsibility.
What Factors Influence the Final Settlement Amount?
There is no simple calculator that determines a settlement amount with absolute certainty. Several key factors will influence the final value of your claim.
- The Severity of Your Injuries: Deeper wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, and permanent scarring typically result in higher settlement values.
- The Total Cost of Your Medical Bills: This includes not only the bills you have already paid but also the projected costs of any future medical care you may need.
- The Amount of Your Lost Income: The more work you miss due to your injuries, the higher this portion of your claim will be.
- The Permanence of the Injury: A permanent scar, especially on the face, or a long-term disability will have a significant impact on the settlement value.
- The Available Insurance Coverage: The dog owner's homeowners or renters insurance policy is the primary source of recovery. Most of these policies have liability limits between $100,000 and $300,000. The policy limit sometimes caps the amount of compensation that is realistically recoverable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Lawsuit Costs
What if the dog belongs to a friend or family member?
Pursuing a claim does not have to damage your relationship. The claim is almost always made against their homeowners or renters insurance policy, not against them personally. The process is designed to have the insurance company, not your loved one, pay for your damages.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit with the help of a personal injury lawyer. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline to file a lawsuit after dog attack, you will lose your right to sue and recover compensation for your injuries.
Do I really need a lawyer if the insurance company already made an offer?
Initial offers from insurance companies are frequently low and may not account for your future medical needs or non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Their business model must balance paying claims with maintaining profitability. We assess the true, full value of your claim to ensure you are not leaving money on the table that you will need for your recovery.
Will my case have to go to trial?
The vast majority of dog bite cases are settled out of court through negotiation, so a trial is rare. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough preparation puts us in a strong negotiating position to achieve a fair settlement on your behalf without the need for a lengthy court battle.
What if the dog owner doesn't have insurance?
This situation makes recovery more difficult, but not necessarily impossible. We will investigate whether the owner has personal assets that could be used to cover your damages. This is a scenario where we would have a frank and honest discussion with you about the potential for a meaningful recovery before moving forward with a lawsuit.
Let Us Handle the Financial Recovery While You Heal
Our firm has years of experience handling dog bite cases for clients in Chicago and across Illinois. We understand the specific laws that protect you and the challenges you are facing right now. You do not have to deal with the dog owner's insurance company by yourself.
The legal process is filled with deadlines and paperwork. It is easy to get frustrated and accept a lower offer as medical bills continue to arrive. Let us manage that process for you.
If you were injured by a dog, contact Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at (312) 924-7575.
David Abels
Partner
David Abels has carved a niche for himself in the personal injury law sector, dedicating a substantial part of his career since 1997 to representing victims of various accidents. With a law practice that spans over two decades, his expertise has been consistently recognized within the legal community.
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