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Dog Bite Injuries Attorney in Astoria

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Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

When dealing with the aftermath of dog bite injuries, Carlson Bier offers unparalleled support and legal expertise. Serving those affected in Astoria, our dedicated team understands the nuances of Illinois law pertaining to animal-related incidents. We navigate through complex insurance claims and vigorously pursue adequate compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering or any other hardships encountered from such a traumatic experience. Our attorneys are not only experienced but also compassionate; we firmly grasp how emotionally devastating these cases can be for clients. At Carlson Bier, you’re not just another case number; we listen intently to your story so that we can effectively represent you in court. Employing an aggressive yet calculated approach allows us to secure maximum benefits on behalf of our well-deserving clients while holding responsible parties accountable for their negligence or wrongful conduct contributing to the incident. So when contemplating who should advocate for justice following a dog bite injury remember: choose wisely, choose Carlson Bier- where your needs come first every time!

About Carlson Bier

Dog Bite Injuries Lawyers in Astoria Illinois

At the esteemed law firm of Carlson Bier, we are committed to fighting for justice for victims of personal injuries – a key strand of which involves dog bite incidents. As experienced legal professionals based in Illinois, we bring an impressive wealth of knowledge and empathetic understanding to address your unique situation.

Dog bites can often appear less innocuous than they truly are. Many victims underestimate not only the physical damage but also psychological trauma that these incidents can induce. These may manifest in forms such as puncture wounds, lacerations, bacterial infections like rabies or tetanus, nerve damage, lasting fear or phobia toward dogs (Cynophobia), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Coupled with mounting medical expenses and time off work dealing with these consequences makes for significant hardships that deserve fair compensation.

The next key consideration is liability in the event of a dog bite injury. Even despite long-standing perceptions that each dog gets “one free bite,” it’s crucial to understand this isn’t true under Illinois law – known legally as strict liability state regarding dog bites. In simple terms:

– An owner is liable the first time their dog injures someone if it wasn’t provoked.

– You needn’t prove negligence.

– Even non-bite injuries caused by dogs fall under this rule.

To illustrate how important understanding these points becomes when seeking compensation; imagine—you’re out jogging one evening; suddenly an unleashed rottweiler jumps at you while trying to ‘play,’ causing a sprain in your leg due to abrupt dodging movements or a tumble taken. Here too comes into play our mentioned above feature–even though there’s no actual ‘bite’ involved–the injury counts.

However, remember, even though laws favor victims — triumphing over legal challenges requires evidence collection skills and strategic negotiations with insurance companies — areas where having specialist representation from someone like Carlson Bier will significantly bolster your chances.

Further, deciphering the extent of damages one can claim is another critical step navigated most effectively under professional guidance. Some cardinal elements critically affecting your compensation value are:

– Medical bills; current and those estimated in the future.

– Pain and suffering as they’re inherently subjective needs expertise to translate into a monetary sum.

– Loss wages from work-furlough during recovery.

– Scarring or disfigurement stakes higher claims owing to potential perpetual disability or self-esteem loss.

At Carlson Bier, effectiveness meets empathy. We understand you’re dealing with enough pain already, so our aim is to simplify this process for you; instead of being daunted by legalese, we present detailed but comprehensible explanations on what’s crucial for your case—helping you make informed decisions.

In civil litigation cases like dog bites—time is of essence—a “statute of limitations” mandates taking legal action within a specific timeframe post-injury (generally two years). However, consulting an attorney sooner than later remains wise considering complexities around witness memory fade, timely evidence collection etc.

To wrap it up — if you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience a dog bite injury — remember that while emotional & physical healing takes precedence—you simultaneously don’t have to carry the burden of corresponding financial consequences. An experienced personal injury attorney group like Carlson Bier can effectively support you through this daunting journey — transforming difficult truths about laws into terms that empower your action plans.

We invite you now to proceed with the next logical step – drop us an inquiry via clicking on ‘Case Evaluation’ button below. Let’s collaborate together towards evaluating how much your case could potentially be worth – because YOU matter and so do YOUR rights!

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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 Astoria

Areas of Practice in Astoria

Two-Wheeler Incidents

Expert in legal services for people injured in bicycle accidents due to other parties' recklessness or risky conditions.

Burn Burns

Providing expert legal support for sufferers of major burn injuries caused by occurrences or misconduct.

Medical Malpractice

Providing experienced legal assistance for victims affected by clinical malpractice, including misdiagnosis.

Goods Obligation

Addressing cases involving dangerous products, supplying skilled legal help to victims affected by harmful products.

Nursing Home Misconduct

Supporting the rights of nursing home residents who have been subjected to neglect in elderly care environments, ensuring restitution.

Tumble and Tumble Injuries

Specialist in addressing slip and fall accident cases, providing legal assistance to victims seeking recovery for their losses.

Neonatal Injuries

Providing legal support for households affected by medical carelessness resulting in infant injuries.

Car Accidents

Accidents: Concentrated on supporting sufferers of car accidents get equitable settlement for harms and harm.

Motorbike Incidents

Focused on providing representation for motorcyclists involved in motorcycle accidents, ensuring fair compensation for losses.

Semi Collision

Providing expert legal advice for individuals involved in trucking accidents, focusing on securing rightful claims for harms.

Construction Mishaps

Concentrated on assisting laborers or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to carelessness or misconduct.

Neurological Traumas

Focused on extending compassionate legal assistance for persons suffering from neurological injuries due to negligence.

Canine Attack Wounds

Skilled in addressing cases for clients who have suffered damages from dog attacks or wildlife encounters.

Jogger Collisions

Committed to legal services for walkers involved in accidents, providing comprehensive support for recovering claims.

Wrongful Death

Standing up for relatives affected by a wrongful death, providing caring and experienced legal assistance to ensure justice.

Neural Impairment

Dedicated to defending clients with spinal cord injuries, offering specialized legal support to secure recovery.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer