Lake County Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional harm, especially to children. Our attorneys help victims throughout Waukegan, Lake County, and Northern Illinois hold negligent owners accountable and pursue full compensation for their injuries.
Advocating for Dog Bite Victims in Waukegan and Lake County
Advocating for Dog Bite Victims in Waukegan and Lake County
Dog attacks happen without warning. Whether the incident occurred in a neighbor's yard, on a public sidewalk, or at a park in Waukegan, Gurnee, or Libertyville, the injuries are often far more serious than they first appear.
Attorney Kelli Ford and the personal injury team at Salvi & Maher have fought for dog bite victims and their families in Lake County since 1985. Deep bites can cause severe scarring, nerve damage, and in serious cases, permanent disability. Long-term reconstructive care is common, and the costs add up quickly.
Our Waukegan office at 325 Washington St. serves Lake County clients directly, close to the courthouse where these cases are litigated.
Dog attacks happen without warning. Whether the incident occurred in a neighbor's yard, on a public sidewalk, or at a park in Waukegan, Gurnee, or Libertyville, the injuries are often far more serious than they first appear.
Attorney Kelli Ford and the personal injury team at Salvi & Maher have fought for dog bite victims and their families in Lake County since 1985. Deep bites can cause severe scarring, nerve damage, and in serious cases, permanent disability. Long-term reconstructive care is common, and the costs add up quickly.
Our Waukegan office at 325 Washington St. serves Lake County clients directly, close to the courthouse where these cases are litigated.
What Illinois Law Says About Dog Bite Liability
What Illinois Law Says About Dog Bite Liability
Illinois follows strict liability for dog bites under the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16). A dog owner can be held responsible for injuries without any requirement to prove the dog was previously dangerous. If you were lawfully present and did not provoke the animal, the owner is liable.
Liability can also extend to anyone harboring the dog at the time of the attack, and in some cases to landlords or property owners who knew a dangerous animal was on their premises. As of 2026, Illinois maintains a two-year statute of limitations for dog bite claims.
Illinois follows strict liability for dog bites under the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16). A dog owner can be held responsible for injuries without any requirement to prove the dog was previously dangerous. If you were lawfully present and did not provoke the animal, the owner is liable.
Liability can also extend to anyone harboring the dog at the time of the attack, and in some cases to landlords or property owners who knew a dangerous animal was on their premises. As of 2026, Illinois maintains a two-year statute of limitations for dog bite claims.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
A successful dog bite claim can recover compensation for medical expenses, including emergency treatment, reconstructive surgery, and ongoing care. Lost income during recovery, permanent scarring or disfigurement, pain and suffering, and emotional distress are also compensable. When a child is the victim, courts take the long-term impact on their development and quality of life into account.
Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies frequently cover dog bite claims, which means there is often a viable path to compensation even when the owner has limited personal assets. Our attorneys know how to identify applicable coverage and pursue it fully on your behalf. You can see examples of what we have recovered for clients at our case results page.
A successful dog bite claim can recover compensation for medical expenses, including emergency treatment, reconstructive surgery, and ongoing care. Lost income during recovery, permanent scarring or disfigurement, pain and suffering, and emotional distress are also compensable. When a child is the victim, courts take the long-term impact on their development and quality of life into account.
Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies frequently cover dog bite claims, which means there is often a viable path to compensation even when the owner has limited personal assets. Our attorneys know how to identify applicable coverage and pursue it fully on your behalf. You can see examples of what we have recovered for clients at our case results page.
We Make it Easy to Start.
The Consultation is Free.
Start with a free case evaluation to learn how Salvi & Maher can support you from day one.
We Assess Your Case
Our attorneys will carefully review your situation to determine if we’re the right fit to pursue legal action.
We Fight for You
If we take your case, we’ll advocate relentlessly to help you secure the results you deserve.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
Call 847-662-3303 or reach out online to speak with a member of our team. Salvi & Maher handles dog bite cases throughout Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville, and all of Lake County from our Waukegan and Libertyville offices, as well as clients in McHenry County, Cook County, and DuPage County.
Frequently Asked Questions.
A closed head injury is a type of TBI where the skull remains intact, but the brain is damaged from impact or sudden movement. Both can cause serious long-term neurological effects even without visible external injury.