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Dog Bite Injuries Attorney in Lake of the Woods

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Personal Injury Lawyer Orland Park Illinois | Carlson Bier Associates

About Carlson Bier Associates

In the wake of a distressing dog bite injury, Carlson Bier is your foremost choice for just representation. As seasoned personal injury attorneys specializing in canine-inflicted harm, we possess extensive experience coupled with in-depth knowledge of Illinois laws, thereby ensuring unbiased advocacy for you and your case. In Lake of the Woods and surrounding areas, residents have come to trust Carlson Bier as their vigorous defenders when involved in these traumatic incidents due to our tenacity and client-focused approach. We are dedicated to securing fair compensation aligned with your suffering and losses suffered from dog bite injuries—losses which could be physical or emotional; immediate or long-term. Each case is treated uniquely; we tailor our strategies specifically towards each individual’s circumstance while harnessively abiding by state limitations regarding solicitation practices pursuant to Illinois law standards—with integrity being the linchpin guiding all our actions at Carlson Bier. Reach out today; allow us to champion your cause as passionately as if it were our own because here at Carlson Bier – justice matters!

About Carlson Bier

Dog Bite Injuries Lawyers in Lake of the Woods Illinois

At Carlson Bier, we are deeply committed to serving those who have suffered from personal injuries. Our specialty? Addressing incidents of dog bite injuries which often raise complex legal issues that necessitate intricate navigation through the labyrinthian legalese found within Illinois law. As esteemed personal injury attorneys, we extend our wealth of knowledge and well-honed professional acumen to you so as to assist in your fight for justice.

Dog bites may seem innocuous – a bit of roughhouse play by the neighborhood canine – until one becomes a victim. Dog bite injuries can discriminate against no one and their severity ranges vastly from minor skin disruptions to more grievous physical harms such as tissue destruction, infections, or even psychological impacts like PTSD. They are especially severe when the victims are young children whose physical fragility and psychological vulnerability amplify the damage caused.

Illinois is unique in its strict liability statute with regards to dog bites; under Illinois Section 16 of the Animal Control Act, ‘the owner of any animal that without provocation attacks another person is civilly liable towards this latter individual.’ Essentially, if you’ve been bitten by a dog unprovoked while you were legally allowed on the premises, there is no need to prove negligence by part of the pet’s owner. Here are some key points regarding this Act:

• An “owner” includes anyone who keeps or harbors the dog.

• “Provocation” can be subjective; it must be proven that the acts causing provocation would not typically incite an average canine.

• A person is considered “lawfully upon” property if they are conducting official duties (like mail delivery), were invited onto private property, or exist in public spaces where dogs should be controlled.

Let’s address what many people dub ‘dog breeds danger hierarchy’ myth: The breed almost never validates exceptionality in proving liability irrespective of pit bulls’ undeserved reputation vis-à-vis smaller-sized species like poodles. Owners cannot escape responsibility on the basis of their dogs’ breed, size or pedigree. All dog owners are liable given demonstration of precise legal incidents fulfillment.

Navigating through legal complexities following a dog bite injury can seem daunting and overwhelming. But it need not be so; this is where we come in to provide expert guidance. At Carlson Bier, our commitment is primarily toward ensuring just compensation for your unwarranted suffering while adhering strictly to Illinois law.

In dealing with insurance companies after a dog bite incident, attorneys from Carlson Bier know all too well how crucial an adept negotiation skill set is when pursuing fair settlements. Established insurers often bank on unwitting victims settling for less than deserved hence their aptitude to obfuscate facts and downplay injuries’ seriousness while emphasizing potential claim weaknesses.

Our role goes beyond merely ‘suing’. We listen empathetically having cognizance of the physical pain suffered but more poignantly the psychological distress resulting from such traumatic events mainly when children are involved; subsequently crafting strategic litigation paths that factor into consideration the uniqueness of each case brought forward.

With decades-long experience in upholding rights of personal injuries victims including those injured by dog bites – especially concerning cumulative medical cost hikes allied with occupational disruptions – team Carlson Bier believes in tenacious yet compassionate representation coupled with ardor for justice and fairness within every executed legal maneuver.

Getting bitten by a dog doesn’t render you powerless nor does it pronounce an end to normality as you know it. Rather than remaining voiceless victims, let us join hands in making these unfortunate events catalysts to effect necessary changes sanctioned by law – changes that ensure future safety and posit positive narratives against wanton carelessness or negligence by pet owners bereft of accountability and duty-bound compassion towards fellow human beings sharing living spaces amid mutual respect expectation disregards.

Embrace hope during these challenging times oozing uncertainty; make direct contact with one among us today at Carlson Bier. Recognize your right to just compensation and empower yourself with knowledge about Illinois’s dog bite rules. We encourage you to click the button below, interact courteously with our live chat personnel standing by ready to guide you towards finding out how much your case could potentially be worth.

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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 Lake of the Woods

Areas of Practice in Lake of the Woods

Two-Wheeler Accidents

Dedicated to legal representation for victims injured in bicycle accidents due to other parties' lack of care or perilous conditions.

Burn Wounds

Offering skilled legal assistance for individuals of serious burn injuries caused by events or carelessness.

Healthcare Malpractice

Providing specialist legal services for persons affected by hospital malpractice, including misdiagnosis.

Merchandise Liability

Managing cases involving faulty products, extending specialist legal services to customers affected by product malfunctions.

Nursing Home Malpractice

Protecting the rights of seniors who have been subjected to abuse in care facilities environments, ensuring justice.

Stumble & Slip Incidents

Specialist in tackling fall and trip accident cases, providing legal representation to sufferers seeking compensation for their losses.

Infant Harms

Providing legal support for households affected by medical incompetence resulting in newborn injuries.

Auto Accidents

Collisions: Devoted to supporting patients of car accidents get fair payout for hurts and losses.

Scooter Crashes

Dedicated to providing legal support for victims involved in motorcycle accidents, ensuring just recovery for injuries.

Big Rig Crash

Delivering specialist legal representation for individuals involved in truck accidents, focusing on securing just compensation for hurts.

Construction Mishaps

Dedicated to advocating for workmen or bystanders injured in construction site accidents due to safety violations or irresponsibility.

Brain Traumas

Expert in offering compassionate legal assistance for victims suffering from head injuries due to accidents.

Dog Attack Injuries

Adept at dealing with cases for victims who have suffered harms from dog attacks or animal assaults.

Pedestrian Accidents

Focused on legal support for cross-walkers involved in accidents, providing comprehensive support for recovering compensation.

Unfair Death

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

Spinal Cord Damage

Committed to assisting clients with paralysis, offering dedicated legal services to secure compensation.

Contact Us Today if you need a Person Injury Lawyer