Alton Dog Bite Lawyers
Skilled attorneys representing victims of animal attacks in Illinois
Even the most mild-mannered dog can turn vicious in an instant. A dog’s predatory instinct can come out in scary ways when an owner mistreats or neglects it, or when it feels threatened in any way. Other dogs, when unleashed or not properly trained, can attack and cause serious physical and mental damage to humans, especially small children. Dog bite injuries can cause catastrophic trauma with lifelong side effects, include scars and complications.
If you or your child were attacked by a dog, it’s important to get an Alton attorney on your side immediately. At Glisson Law, we have 25 years of experience helping people just like you secure compensation when they’re injured by someone else’s negligence – including letting a dangerous animal harm you or a member of your family. We can answer all your questions and guide you through the legal process during this difficult time. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.
How can we help?
- How many people are injured by dogs every year?
- What kinds of injuries do dog bites cause?
- What should I do if I’m bitten by a dog?
- What are Illinois’ dog bite laws?
- Are there any circumstances unique to dog bite cases?
- What is the value of my Alton dog bite claim?
- Do you have a dog bite lawyer near me?
How many people are killed by dogs every year?
Dog bites are a very serious injury and many bites and maulings end in death. DogsBite.org complies dog bite fatalities and their most current data shows 521 dog-related deaths between 2005 and 2019, with 48 fatalities occurring in 2019.
They also note:
- “27% (13) of dog bite fatality victims were children ages 9-years and younger, 6% (3) were ages 10 to 18-years, a rare age group for dog bite fatality victims, and 67% (32) were adults, ages 19-years and older.”
- Nine of these fatalities included a family dog killing its owner.
- “23% (11) of fatal dog maulings involved a babysitter or grandparent watching a child or the dog being "watched" by a person other than its owner when the dog inflicted a deadly attack.”
- Ten of these fatal attacks resulted in filing of criminal charges.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports about 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, the majority of victims children. In 2021, homeowners reported 17,989 dog bite claims, a 2.2% increase from 2020. This means insurance companies are being asked to pay out more money for more injuries – and we know they don’t like that. If you have a dog bite injury claim, make sure you have a lawyer on your side, because the insurance company likely won’t make things easy for you. We can help.
What kinds of injuries do dog bites cause?
Dog bites and scratches can cause injuries ranging from serious to catastrophic. This means they’re permanent and life-changing, and can include:
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Fractured and crushed bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Loss of extremities, like ears, fingers, or nose
- Loss of vision
- Rabies and infection
Animal attacks can also cause emotional injuries, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in children.
Good To Know: Every day almost 1,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for dog bite-related injuries. [DogsBite]
What should I do if I’m bitten by a dog?
If you or your child are bitten or attacked by a dog, your absolute first priority should be getting medical attention, even if you think it’s just a minor injury. Treating the injury as soon as possible lessens the risk of further damage, infection, and scarring. Ensure you document all medical treatment and expenses.
Next, report the dog bite to local authorities – police, health department, and/or animal control. Try to get the contact information of the dog’s owner and the health history of the animal, including vaccination history. If there were any witnesses to the attack, get their contact information as well.
What are Illinois’ dog bite laws?
Per state law, dog owners are liable for injuries their animals cause:
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 where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.
Are there any circumstances unique to dog bite cases?
Dog bite cases, like many premises liability claims, can be complicated. Depending on the specific details of the case, some judges allow for owners of dogs to get away with “one bite” before being prosecuted. In other cases, however, lawsuits against repeat offenders can net greater recoveries for victims. For example, if you filed a lawsuit against a dog owner in the past and won in court or received a settlement, the same dog owner may be faced with a steeper fine if they yet again failed to keep the dog under control. The recoveries may be paid by the dog owner or homeowner’s insurance.
What this boils down to is that your attorney must prove negligence on the part of dog owners. The sooner you contact the team at Glisson Law, the sooner we can build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
What is the value of my Alton dog bite claim?
The amount of money one can recover in damages varies depending on a number of factors. Typically, we can’t determine the exact value of your case right at the beginning because you’re likely still seeking treatment from your dog bite injuries. However, permanent injuries can result in greater recoveries. For example, when a child falls victim to a vicious dog, the incident can scar that child — physically and psychologically — for life. In addition to emergency medical care, dog bites can require reconstructive plastic surgery, especially if the victim’s face is affected.
Generally, in dog bite cases, we demand compensation for:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In the event a dog attack takes the life of your loved one, our Alton attorneys will file a wrongful death claim on your behalf.
Please contact us for a free consultation so that we can determine how best to handle your situation. We can offer you our individualized attention, and we guarantee that you will not be charged any legal fees unless we make a recovery or settlement on your behalf.
Do you have a dog bite lawyer near me?
Glisson Law is located at 111 East Fourth Street, Suite 400, in Alton, IL. We’re a block away from City Hall, and you can find plenty of parking across the street. There’s also a bus stop right outside our office. Glisson Law conducts phone and video conferences when applicable, and makes home and hospital visits if you cannot travel to us.
Compassionate Alton dog bite attorneys
At Glisson Law, we’ve been fighting for injury victims for over 25 years, including a $200,000 settlement for a young child disfigured in a dog attack. Our commitment and dedication to our clients shows in our work – let us help you today. We fight for the compensation to which you’re entitled for your injuries, pain, and suffering when someone’s negligence causes you harm. To schedule a free consultation, call our Alton offices or fill out our contact form today. We proudly serve the people of Belleville, Edwardsville, St. Clair and Madison County, and all of Southwestern Illinois.