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Will County Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

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Attorney for Injuries Suffered in Animal Attacks in Joliet, Naperville, and Plainfield

Dogs can be very lovable, and they provide companionship to many people and families. However, they can also cause great bodily injuries. Even dogs that have never shown any aggressive tendencies may unexpectedly bite or attack someone. These incidents can result in serious injuries, permanent scarring, and long-lasting emotional trauma. Those who have suffered dog bite injuries will need to work with a Joliet dog bite attorney to determine how they can hold a dog’s owner responsible for the harm done to them and their family.

With over 10 years of experience handling a wide variety of injury cases, Attorney Michael J. Lichner has the knowledge and skill to help dog bite victims pursue compensation for their injuries and damages. He has helped injured people recover millions of dollars through jury verdicts and settlements, and he is prepared to advocate on your behalf to ensure that you are fully compensated for all of the ways you and your family have been affected by a dog bite injury.

Liability for Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs can inflict multiple types of serious injuries when they bite or attack someone. These may include:

  • Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds – A dog’s teeth and claws may break the skin and damage a person’s muscles, ligaments, or other underlying tissue. If major veins or arteries are severed, such as in a bite wound to the neck, a person may experience life-threatening blood loss.
  • Serious, sometimes fatal infections – A dog’s teeth and mouth often harbor large amounts of bacteria, which can be passed into the injured person’s blood stream when the dog bite breaks the skin. If left untreated, the infections can spread and cause systemic organ shutdown and even death.
  • Nerve damage – When nerves are severed or otherwise damaged by a dog bite, an injured person may suffer paralysis or loss of function in the area of the body that was affected.
  • Scarring and disfigurement – Bite injuries to the face, neck, chest, arms, or other parts of the body may leave behind permanent scars that affect a person’s quality of life. In some cases, injuries may be so severe that parts of the body such as fingers or hands will need to be amputated.
  • Fall injuries – A dog may knock a person to the ground, causing them to suffer bodily harm such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or dislocated joints.
  • Broken bones – The force of a dog bite may fracture or crush the bones in a person’s arms, hands, legs, or other parts of the body. A person may also suffer broken bones due to fall injuries.

Under Illinois law, a dog’s owner is liable for any injuries inflicted by their dog, as long as the dog was not provoked and the injured person was legally allowed to be on the property where the dog bite or attack occurred. This means that even if a dog had never previously bitten or attacked someone or exhibited any aggressive behavior, the dog’s owner may be held responsible for the injuries suffered by dog bite victims. Injured people can pursue compensation for the medical expenses resulting from their injury, including emergency treatment, corrective surgery, and ongoing physical therapy. A person can also seek to recover any income they lost due to their injury, as well as compensation for the physical pain and suffering and emotional trauma they have experienced.

Contact Our Joliet Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a member of your family have suffered a dog bite injury, Michael J. Lichner – Will County Personal Injury Lawyer – can help you take legal action to hold the dog’s owner liable. We will fight to make sure you receive the financial compensation you need and deserve. Contact our office today and schedule a free consultation by calling 815-258-7877. We prosecute dog bite injury cases in the areas in and around Will County, including but not limited to Naperville, Frankfort, Joliet, Lockport, Homer Glen, Mokena, Plainfield, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, New Lenox, and Shorewood. We also proudly serve personal injury clients in DuPage County, Cook County, and all other Northern Illinois counties.

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Have Any Questions?

We know that you have important questions when you’re looking for an attorney. We’re always here to answer questions. There’s no cost or obligation to talk to our legal team. Learn more about your case and our legal services. Please contact us!
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How do I know if I have a case?

The most basic grounds for a case are that you’re hurt and it’s someone else’s fault, legally. There are multiple legal standards that may apply.

Most cases are accidents. The party responsible doesn’t necessarily have to have hurt you on purpose. Simple negligence, which is just an unreasonable absence of care, can be enough for the victim to have the right to compensation. In other words, you might have a case, even if it was an accident.

Ask us for your personal consultation. We can learn about what happened in your case and explain how the law may apply.

How will the value of my case be determined?

The purpose of a personal injury case is to compensate you fairly for the losses that you have suffered. That includes financial losses, plus the physical and emotional suffering that goes along with injuries. The question to answer is – What has the personal injury cost you, financially and personally?

There are other factors that may impact the value of a case. Comparative negligence may apply, for example. Punitive damages may be awarded, subject to statutory limitations and requirements for pretrial motion and hearing to amend the complaint. The legal strength of the case may also impact its value.

At your consultation, we look at your specific case and explain how the value of your case may be determined.

Will I have to go to court for my personal injury case?

Most Personal Injury cases don’t go to court, but we’re always ready just in case. In fact, aggressively preparing your case can be exactly what’s needed to reach a fair settlement. We’re always ready to pursue your interests as long as necessary for you to get justice.

It’s normal to be nervous about court. Many people ask us if their case will go to court, hoping that the answer is no. Rest assured that you’re hiring us to represent you. We’ll speak for you to the court. If it’s your turn to testify, we’ll make sure that you’re fully prepared and that you know what to expect.

As your legal representative, Michael L. Lichner works to understand your goals for litigation. He’ll discuss the pros and cons of going to court and help you make the right decisions for your case.

What types of damages can I recover in a personal injury lawsuit?

In a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover damages for the losses you have – financially and personally. You’ll have direct financial losses which may include medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and damaged property. You can put in a claim for these expenses.

In addition, when you have a personal injury, you suffer in a lot of ways that can’t be measured directly. For example, you will have physical pain. Injuries may cause mental injury and emotional anguish. Your lifestyle may change. These are real losses, too.

How can I have attorney Michael J. Lichner represent me?

If you’re interested in hiring Michael J. Lichner, contact us. Call or message us, and we’ll take it from there. We offer free consultations and no fee unless we win.

We’ll start with a consultation, answer your questions, and explain how representation works. When you pick us as your representation we’ll get right to work!

Don’t wait, contact us today!

Call 815-258-7877

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