773-365-0040
If a dog has bitten you or someone you love, the aftermath can be painful, stressful, and confusing. But you are not powerless. At Shea Law Group, we fight to make sure dog bite victims are treated fairly and get every dollar they deserve. To help with this, we wrote this guide on protecting your health, rights, and your financial future after a dog bite.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Dog Bite Victims in Illinois
Step 1: Get to Safety
Get to safety before anything else. If the dog remains aggressive or loose, move to a secure location and call 911 if necessary. Then, take the following steps to ensure your safety and maximize your dog bite claim.
Step 2: Get Medical Help Immediately
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, infections, and long-term damage. Go to the ER, an urgent care center, or your doctor right away. Even minor dog bites can cause serious underlying damage and infections like MRSA or rabies. This means even small puncture wounds can become life-threatening without treatment.
Always document your injuries with clear photos before and after treatment. Medical records and visual documentation help prove your injury and timeline for any legal claim.
Step 3: Report the Bite to Authorities
Call your local animal control or police department to file a report. This creates a paper trail, protects others from getting hurt, and often uncovers whether the dog has a history of aggression. That official report will help your case.
Step 4: Identify the Dog and Its Owner
Get the dog owner’s name, address, and contact info. Ask for proof of rabies vaccination. If you can’t confirm the dog’s vaccination history, you may have to undergo a costly and painful series of rabies shots. Take photos of the dog, the scene, and your injuries. If there were any witnesses, get their names and contact info, too. Every detail matters.
Then, gather more information. Has this dog bitten anyone before? Has it been labeled dangerous by animal control? Get license records and any available history of aggression. This information can strengthen your case.
Step 5: Preserve All Evidence
Save the clothes you were wearing. Especially if they’re bloodied or torn. Take daily photos of your injuries during healing. Save receipts, medical records, and any texts or emails with the dog’s owner or witnesses. The more proof you have, the harder it is for insurance companies to deny your claim.
Step 6: Contact a Dog Bite Attorney
Don’t trust insurance companies to “do the right thing.” They’re trained to downplay your injuries, shift blame, and offer lowball settlements. Without legal backup, you risk walking away with far less than you need. At Shea Law Group, we go to work immediately to preserve evidence, handle aggressive insurance companies, and start building a strong case.
Step 7: Start a Journal
If you’re seeking compensation, keep a journal from the first week after the attack. Write down your pain levels, emotional distress, sleep patterns, medical appointments, and how the injury affects your daily life. Continue recording weekly. These notes provide powerful evidence of long-term trauma and impact.
Do I Have a Dog Bite Case? Know the Illinois Dog Bite Guidelines
Under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16), dog owners are strictly liable when their dog attacks someone who’s lawfully on public or private property. It doesn’t matter if the dog was never aggressive before. If you didn’t provoke the dog, you likely have a case.
Here are signs your claim is strong:
- You have medical records proving your injury
- The dog has a history of aggression
- You were in a public place or lawfully on private property
- The bite caused scarring, nerve damage, or emotional trauma
Even if the dog has never bitten before, the owner can still be held responsible. That’s why you need a lawyer who knows how to prove liability and maximize compensation.
Want to understand your full legal options? Visit our main Dog Bite Injury page.
What Kind of Dog Bite Compensation Can You Get?
You may be entitled to recover money for:
- Medical expenses (ER visits, surgery, physical therapy)
- Lost wages (if you missed work)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
At Shea Law Group, we calculate the true cost of your injury. This includes emotional problems that are not seen in your bank account. Holding the dog owner accountable doesn’t just help you. It also protects others. A successful claim sends a message that negligent pet owners don’t get a free pass. You’re not just fighting for compensation. You’re making the community safer.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Illinois?
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. But the sooner you act, the stronger your case. Don’t wait until evidence disappears and memories fade.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer from Shea Law Group
At Shea Law Group, our experienced dog bite lawyers have handled countless dog bite cases. Our team is aggressive in negotiations, compassionate with clients, and focused on one goal: securing maximum compensation for your dog bite injuries.
If you’re wondering what steps to take after a dog bite, remember this: your health, your rights, and your financial future all depend on how fast and smart you act. Start with medical care, report the bite, gather evidence, and consult a proven personal injury lawyer.
Call Shea Law Group today at (773) 365-0040 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless and until we win.
