Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
Dogs are a part of everyday life in Chicago. We encounter them on sidewalks, in parks, in apartment buildings, at neighborhood restaurants and while visiting friends and family. Most of these encounters are harmless. But dog bites remain a serious source of injury in Illinois, and many attacks may be preceded by warning signs that people do not recognize.
A Chicago Sun-Times article, “Dog trainers stress importance of ‘recognizing yellow lights’ to prevent aggressive behavior and dog bites,” highlights both the frequency of dog-bite claims in Illinois and some of the behavioral signals that can appear before a dog attacks. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Illinois Ranks Among the States With the Most Dog-Bite Claims
According to the statistics cited by the Sun-Times, Illinois ranked eighth in the nation for dog-related injury claims in 2023. Insurance companies paid more than $61.8 million on 837 Illinois claims, with an average payment of approximately $73,797 per claim.
Nationally, insurers paid more than $1.1 billion on more than 19,000 dog-related injury claims during the same year. The Sun-Times also reported that the average Illinois claim had more than doubled from the 2018 average of $35,553. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Those numbers illustrate something we have seen in our own practice at Zneimer & Zneimer P.C.: a dog bite can be far more serious than people initially realize.
Victims may suffer puncture wounds, torn muscles and tendons, nerve damage, infections and permanent scarring. Facial bites can require plastic surgery. Children can suffer particularly severe injuries because of their height and proximity to a dog’s head. In addition to the physical injury, some victims experience lasting fear and emotional trauma after an attack.
Recognizing the “Yellow Lights” Before a Dog Bites
One of the most important points made by the dog trainers interviewed by the Sun-Times is that aggressive behavior does not always begin with a growl, bark or lunge.
Trainer Pamela Davis described the importance of recognizing a dog’s behavioral “yellow lights” before the situation reaches a “red light.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
A dog that is becoming frightened, uncomfortable or overstimulated may display physical warning signs. The Sun-Times article specifically notes signs such as:
- ears becoming lowered or pinned back;
- dilated pupils;
- changes in body posture;
- increased nervousness or reactivity;
- attempts to move away from a person or situation; and
- escalating aggressive behavior.
A growling or barking dog is easy to recognize as potentially dangerous. Earlier signals can be much more subtle.
The article also makes an important point about a dog’s history. Trainers consider the severity of previous bites when evaluating the risk of future attacks. Different bite-severity scales are used by professionals to evaluate incidents ranging from threatening behavior without physical contact to extremely serious attacks causing devastating injuries. (Chicago Sun-Times)
A dog owner who knows that a dog has previously displayed aggressive behavior should take that behavior seriously and take reasonable precautions to prevent another incident.
Illinois Dog-Bite Law Provides Significant Protection to Victims
Illinois law is generally favorable to people injured by dogs.
Section 16 of the Illinois Animal Control Act provides that when a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures a person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in a place where that person may lawfully be, the animal’s owner can be liable for the full amount of the injury caused by the attack. (Illinois General Assembly)
This is important because an injured person generally does not have to prove that the dog previously bit somebody or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous before the attack.
Nevertheless, dog-bite cases can become complicated very quickly.
Insurance companies may argue that the victim provoked the dog. There may be disagreements about who legally owned or controlled the animal. The attack may have occurred at a rented property, condominium building or business. There may also be questions about insurance coverage and whether homeowners, renters or other insurance policies apply.
That is why investigating the circumstances of the attack is important.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
The Sun-Times article emphasizes that the first priority after a bite should be obtaining medical treatment. Prompt treatment is important not only because dog bites can cause infection, but also because medical records document the nature and extent of the injury. The article also notes that victims may report an incident to Chicago Animal Care and Control through 311 or make a police report. (Chicago Sun-Times)
When possible, a person who has been attacked should also obtain the dog owner’s name and contact information, identify witnesses, photograph the injuries and the location where the attack occurred, and preserve damaged or bloodied clothing.
Photographs are particularly important. Bite wounds can change dramatically during the healing process. A photograph taken shortly after an attack may show an injury much more clearly than a photograph taken months later.
Why Experience Matters in a Chicago Dog-Bite Case
At Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., we have substantial experience representing people injured in dog attacks.
Dog-bite cases may appear simple at first. A dog bit someone, the person was injured, and the owner has insurance. But successfully handling the claim may require considerably more work.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate the dog’s history, determine who owned or controlled the dog, identify applicable insurance coverage, obtain Animal Control and police records, interview witnesses, preserve photographs and other evidence, collect medical documentation, and evaluate future treatment and permanent scarring.
Insurance companies also evaluate these claims from the beginning. An adjuster may seek a recorded statement or attempt to obtain information that can later be used to argue that the victim provoked the animal or that the injuries are less serious than claimed.
Serious dog bites may involve emergency treatment, surgery, plastic surgery, nerve injuries, permanent scars, lost wages and significant emotional trauma. A lawyer experienced with these cases understands that the value of a dog-bite claim cannot always be determined from the emergency-room bill alone.
Dog Bites Are Often Preventable
Perhaps the most useful message from the Sun-Times article is that many attacks do not truly occur “out of nowhere.”
Dogs frequently communicate discomfort before biting. Owners who understand their animals and recognize warning signs can remove the dog from a stressful situation, use appropriate restraints, obtain professional training and take other precautions before someone gets hurt.
When those precautions fail and a dog attacks an innocent person, Illinois law provides important protections for the victim.
If you or a family member has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Cook County , Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. can investigate what happened, determine what insurance coverage may be available and pursue compensation for the injuries caused by