Dog Bite Lawyers in Madison, IL
Call for a Case Review and Consultation if You've Been Attacked by a Dog
Dog Bite Lawyers in Madison, IL. Halvorsen Klote represents clients in the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. There are upwards of 4.5 million dog attacks in the U.S. each year leading to millions in damages. It is important to find qualified legal service as soon as possible after an incident. As personal injury attorneys, Halvorsen Klote has helped clients throughout the Madison, IL, area settle cases and fight insurance companies. If you have a claim, don't hesitate to contact our dog bite lawyers.
Typical Dog Bite Injuries
As harmless as they seem, "man's best friend" can be dangerous. Our dog attack lawyers in Madison, IL, know how victims and their families can be affected after an incident. For example, below are a few of the most common dog bite injuries:
- Rabies
- Nerve Damage
- Scarring
- Eye Injuries
- Puncture Wounds
- Broken Bones
- Emotional Trauma
- Infection
Often, people stereotype certain dog breeds. There are facts to back this up, but they're not always applicable. Every dog is capable of biting someone. This can be attributed to the dog's environment and interaction with the victim.
Breeds often associated with danger include (in no particular order) bulldogs, pit bulls, shepherds, terriers, pekingese, and even chihuahuas. The size and age of the dog rarely matters; the important thing to keep in mind is how a dog was raised and how you interact with the dog. People have the same tendency to strike others when they're scared or aggravated. You should be mindful of a dog's breed, not afraid of it.
What Do I Do if I'm Bitten by a Dog?
It's important to get safe and get medical attention. You or any other victim's safety is paramount. If you are looking for potential compensation for your injuries, having medical records is incredibly important. Contacting our dog bite lawyers in Madison, IL, should be your second priority.
It's usually better to settle a case out of court. Trials can take months or even years. Each case is different and there are advantages to go to trial or accept an immediate settlement. With so many factors to consider, it's crucial to contact an experienced dog bite attorney in Madison, IL, if you've been attacked.
Dog Bite Settlements in Madison
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 4.5 million serious dog bites each year in the United States. Medical assistance can cost tens of thousands of dollars when you take into account surgery, medication, and other factors like time off of work. According to this source, the average medical costs for a dog bite is $20,000.
A dog bite lawyer in Madison, IL, will look into various types of special and general damages. Some of these include:
- Medical Expenses: You may be able to recover all expenses related to medical treatment caused by a bite. It's important to document everything (recovery, scarring, prescriptions, etc.) if you want compensation.
- Lost Time at Work: If you've been bitten by a dog, you might lose your earning capacity for a certain period of time. Not being able to work due to an injury is a reimbursable damage.
- Pain and Suffering: Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience. Emotional stress, scarring, ongoing fear, and other factors can have lifelong consequences.
- Punitive Damages: Although rare, in certain circumstances a victim can sue for punitive damages if the owner's conduct was intentful or extreme.
- Property Damage: This could include damages to your home, your clothes, a bike or motorcycle, your phone, and other things that may have been damaged during an attack.
States differ when it comes to dog bite liability and insurance. In Missouri, owners of dogs can be held "strictly liable" for any damages. There may or may not be a settlement cap. Owners often opt-in for dog bite coverage and pay higher premiums, however this can be difficult depending on the breed. One of the most important factors in winning a dog bite case is if the owner knew that their dog had a tendency for violence or wasn't following leash laws in your Madison. Contact your Madison, IL, dog bite lawyers now if you think you have a dog bite case. It's our job to help victims receive fair compensation after an incident and help you through the process.
Reach Out To a Dog Bite Attorney in Madison, IL, Now
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, contact Halvorsen Klote now for a consultation. You can call us at 1-877-51-HKLAW (877-514-5529 for a case review and consultation. Our Madison, IL, dog bite lawyers handle a variety of other cases as well, including:
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
- Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
- Auto Crash Attorney
- Truck Crash Lawyers
Our lawyers would be more than happy to speak with you. We've settled numerous cases and you can view our case results here.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
No matter what your accident is, it is essential to contact a local dog bite lawyer in Madison, IL, right away if there are financial damages. Legal counsel doesn't cost you anything. Here, we charge on a contingency fee basis. This means that if we don't win your case you don't owe us anything and there aren't any upfront fees. Our Madison, IL, dog bite lawyers are here to help.
