Dog Bite and Animal Attack Statistics and Our Recent Dog Bite Cases

Dog bites are painful and can lead to severe injuries and complications, including long-term emotional trauma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur annually in the U.S., with more than 1,000 people seeking emergency medical treatment for dog bite injuries every day. Children are especially vulnerable, with nearly 70% of dog bite victims being minors.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are a top-rated Illinois dog bite injury litigation law firm with over 85 years of collective litigation experience. Led by John J. Malm, who brings more than 30 years of experience, our team of exceptional trial lawyers has recovered millions for clients and their families in DuPage County, Kane County, and throughout Illinois. We are committed to holding negligent dog owners and their insurance companies accountable and securing the compensation our clients deserve for their injuries.

Many dog bite injuries are suffered by children, Amazon drivers, UPS drivers, neighbors, postal workers, visiting family members, and others who were simply in a place they had a right to be, but were unfortunately bitten. Attacks are usually quite sudden and can happen to anyone. Dog bites often result in severe injuries and complications, including infections like cellulitis and rabies, permanent nerve damage, disfigurement, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 25% and 30% of dog bite victims suffer from PTSD, with symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and nightmares, especially among children. These psychological impacts can be long-lasting and are often just as debilitating as physical injuries.

Most dog bites occur in familiar settings. Over 65% of all dog bites happen on or near the dog owner’s property, often involving a dog known to the victim. Certain breeds, such as pit bulls, are responsible for a disproportionate number of severe attacks, with 71% of fatal dog attacks attributed to pit bulls.

How do Dog Bites and Animal Attacks Occur?

• An estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year. Preventing Dog Bites (2015). Centers for Disease Control (2003).
• A dog bites occurs every 75 seconds in the United States. Every day, over 1,000 people require emergency medical care to treat dog bite injuries. Centers for Disease Control (2003).
• Nearly 800,000 dog bites require medical attention every year. Centers for Disease Control (2003).
• In 2015, more than 28,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs. See More
• 70% of dog bites are suffered by children. See More

What are the Most Common Injuries From a Dog Bite?

• Nearly 71% of all dog bites occur to the extremities (arms, legs, hands, and feet). American Humane Society (2012).
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• Dog bite injuries occur most commonly to the arm and hand (45.3%), leg and foot (25.8%), and head and neck (22.8%).
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• The majority of injuries to the head and neck are sustained by children under the age of 4 (64.9% of all such injuries occurring to children under the age of 4).
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• Dog bite injuries are most often associated with puncture wounds (40.2%), laceration wounds (24.7%), contusion, abrasion, and hematoma injuries (6.0%), and with a small minority resulting in infection, fracture, and amputation.
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How Much is the Insurance Industry Spending on Dog Bite Claims?

Dog bite settlements account for a significant amount of all claims paid by insurance companies, and an ever-growing portion of our Naperville law firm’s cases.

• Dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for more than 1/3 of all homeowners liability claim dollars paid out by insurance companies in 2017, costing almost $700 million. See More
• On average, the insurance industry (homeowners insurance) pays more than $1 billion in dog bite claims each year.
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Where do Dog Bites and Animal Attacks Most Often Occur?

Not surprisingly, dogs tend to behave as territorial animals, with most attacks occurring near the owners’ home.

• Over 65% of all dog bites occur on or near the victim’s property, or the property belonging to the dog owner.
  http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/fact-sheets/dog-bites.html
• Approximately 58% of human deaths from animal attacks involve unrestrained dogs on the dog owner’s property. Breeds of Dogs Involved in Fatal Human Attacks in the United States Between 1979 and 1998, JAVMA, 217(6), 836-840.
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• The majority of all dog bites occur to people who are neither strangers to the dog, nor its owner. MSPCA.org (2012). In other words, you are most likely to be bitten by a dog of a family member or friend, at their home or yours.

Which Dog Breed Attacks the Most?

If you guessed pit bulls, you would be correct. Pit bulls are responsible for most of the serious injuries and deaths from dog attacks.

• 71% of all deaths are caused by pit bulls, an animal which accounts for less than 5% of the total U.S. dog population. See More (January 4, 2012).
• Among all breeds, pit bulls consistently account for the majority of all attacks producing bodily harm, death, or maiming of victims. See More (2011).

Some of Our Firm’s Recent Cases Involving Dog Bites in Illinois

Dogs attack and injure people in DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Cook County, and Will County with increasing frequency. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers have extensive experience litigating and settling dog bite cases for our clients. Here are summaries of just a few of our recent dog bite cases.

Glendale Heights, Illinois Woman Viciously Attacked by Pit Bull While Protecting Dog

Illinois dog bite lawyer John Malm was retained by a woman who suffered serious injuries to her face and jaw as a result of a sudden dog bite incident. The woman was walking her dog when a pit bull jumped on the woman’s dog and started biting him. The woman tried to pull her dog away from the attack when the pit bull violently bit her in the face and on her hand. The attacking dog was on a leash, but the person walking the dog could not control it.

Postal Worker Violently Attacked by Pit Bull in Streator, Illinois

Streator, Illinois woman retained Illinois dog bite lawyer John Malm and his team, in a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that violently attacked her while she was delivering mail. The dog, a pit bull mix, suddenly broke through the front door of the owner’s residence and bit the postal worker on the hand. The woman’s injuries required emergency surgery. As a result of the attack, the dog was put down. A lawsuit was filed pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Glen Ellyn, Illinois Man Attacked While Walking Dogs

Naperville dog bite lawyer John Malm was retained by a man who suffered serious injuries to hand as a result of a dog bite incident in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The man was walking his two dogs when two German Shepherds began attacking the man and his dogs. The dogs were declared dangerous following the attack.

Bloomingdale, Illinois Man Viciously Attacked while Rescuing His Small Dogs

DuPage County dog bite lawyer John Malm was retained by a man who suffered serious laceration injuries to his hand as a result of a sudden dog bite incident in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The man, who was walking his two small dogs, was suddenly attacked by two large dogs, believed to be pit bulls, who were let out of a nearby home. The pit bulls were unrestrained, and the dogs’ owner had not obtained rabies shots for the animals. The victim’s dog was also severely injured in the attack.

Glen Ellyn, Illinois Man Rescues Dog, Suffers Hand Laceration, and Undergoes Surgery

Glen Ellyn man retained the Naperville dog bite lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that suddenly attacked him as he attempted to rescue his small dog. The dog attack occurred in Wheaton, Illinois. The man, who was visiting his son, was suddenly attacked when a neighbor’s dog suddenly appeared and viciously attacked his small dog, causing multiple puncture wounds to the small animal. A lawsuit was filed in a DuPage County court pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act. 510 ILCS 5/16.

Montgomery, Illinois Man Suffers Knee Injury Defending His Dog, Undergoes Surgery

Naperville dog bite attorney John Malm was retained by a Montgomery, Illinois man who suffered a knee injury as he struggled to fend off a neighbor’s dog that broke through a backyard fence, entered the man’s property, and mauled the man’s small dog. In Illinois, injuries suffered by a victim, including fall down injuries or knee injuries, may be actionable when they occur as a result of a dog attack—even if no actual bite upon the victim occurs. A lawsuit was filed in a Kendall County court pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Aurora, Illinois Girl Attacked by Dog During Back Yard Barbeque

The family of a young girl retained the Illinois dog bite lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates to represent their daughter in a personal injury claim. The girl was bitten about the face while attending an afternoon barbeque at the home of a family friend. The little girl was hospitalized and underwent a reconstructive surgical procedure to treat the injuries suffered in the attack. The dog had been tied up at the time of the occurrence and was not provoked. Mr. Malm filed a claim against the dog owner’s insurance carrier, seeking damages for the painful injuries, including facial scarring suffered by the little girl. The claim was brought pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act.

10-month-old Naperville, Illinois Girl Attacked by Grandparents’ Dog

The family of a 10-month-old girl, who was bitten in the face by her grandparents’ golden retriever, retained the Illinois dog bite attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates to represent her in a claim directed against the grandparents’ homeowner’s insurance company. The little girl suffered injuries when she was suddenly bit in the face. Animal Control reports for the household indicate that other attacks had previously occurred at the same location involving at least one other dog. Under Illinois law, parents of an injured child have a right to seek reimbursement for the medical bills, pain and suffering, and disfigurement suffered due to an animal attack, even at the home of a grandparent. Homeowner’s insurance policies in Illinois provide coverage to protect children when they are bitten by a dog.

Toddler Scarred from Pit bull Attack Inside Chicago, Illinois Home

The family of a Glen Ellyn, Illinois girl retained pit bull attack lawyer John Malm to pursue a claim for injuries and disfigurement after a recent dog attack incident. The 2-year-old girl suffered a laceration injury to her face after the family’s pit bull suddenly attacked her at a relative’s home. Animal Control authorities impounded the American pit bull terrier, pending an investigation. Mr. Malm filed a lawsuit against the owners of the pit bull in Cook County pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Naperville, Illinois Girl Bitten by Dog at Neighborhood Gathering

Illinois Dog Bite lawyer John Malm was retained to represent an 8-year-old girl who suffered serious facial lacerations as a result of a dog bite. The family was attending a neighborhood gathering in Naperville, Illinois, when the dog suddenly bit her in the face. The girl was hospitalized and underwent reconstructive surgery. The dog was leashed at the time of the incident and was not provoked. Mr. Malm pursued a claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance carrier for the serious and painful injuries suffered by her, including permanent facial scarring and disfigurement.

Plainfield, Illinois Boy Bitten by Pit Bull While Riding His Bike

Plainfield family retained personal injury lawyer John Malm to represent them after their son, age 7, was attacked by a pit bull near his home. The boy was suddenly attacked in front of a neighbor’s house when the animal charged toward the sidewalk. Incredibly, the dog’s chain was long enough to allow it to reach the sidewalk. The boy suffered multiple laceration wounds requiring emergency medical attention. The Will County Animal Control Department has found the animal to be dangerous, and Mr. Malm filed a lawsuit against the owners of the pit bull in a Will County court.

Pit bull Attack in Naperville Results in Numerous Injuries to Naperville, Illinois Boy

Naperville family retained personal injury lawyer John Malm to represent them after their son, age 13, was attacked by a pit bull at a friend’s home. The boy was suddenly attacked when the animal was let through a back door into the yard where the boy was playing. The boy suffered multiple, severe laceration, and puncture wounds requiring surgical intervention. The Will County Animal Control Department investigated the attack and found the animal to be vicious. Mr. Malm successfully sued the owners of the pit bull in a Will County Court pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Plainfield, Illinois Girl Attacked by Dog at Friend’s Home

Illinois dog bite lawyer John Malm filed a claim against the owner of a home in Plainfield, Illinois where a teenage girl was attacked by a German Sheppard that was being kept there. The girl suffered laceration injuries to her face, requiring stiches and dermatologic laser treatment to reduce scarring. The animal was believed to have bitten at least one other child at the home before the incident.

Child Severely Injured in Pitbull Attack in DuPage County

DuPage County dog bite lawyer John Malm was retained by a Lisle, Illinois family whose son, then 10 years old, was attacked by a friend’s pit bull. The young boy was viciously attacked during a play date at a friend’s home. The boys had been playing the back yard when the animal suddenly chased the boy and attacked him without provocation. The animal then dragged the boy by his head, biting him. The boy suffered multiple severe bite and laceration injuries as a result of the attack. An investigation into the attack was performed by DuPage County Animal Control. A lawsuit was filed in a DuPage County court against the owners of the pit bull pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Naperville, Illinois Man Attacked by Mastiff/American Staffordshire (“Pit Bull”)

Naperville man was bitten when he tried to save his own dog from an attack by a mastiff/American Staffordshire mixed breed dog that wandered onto his property. The Illinois dog bite lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates represented the man in an insurance claim brought against the owner of the dog. A dog bite settlement, in lieu of a lawsuit, was reached with the insurance carrier for the owner of the vicious animal.

Woman Bitten by Dog on Jogging Path in Kane County

St. Charles, Illinois woman retained Naperville personal injury attorney John Malm to file a lawsuit against her neighbors, the owners of a dog who attacked her on a jogging path near her home in Kane County, Illinois. The dog attack occurred near the home of the dog’s owner, who also witnessed the attack. The victim suffered multiple dog bite injuries as a result of the attack. Owners of the dangerous animal admitted in court documents that the dog may been acting in a “protective” manner when it attacked the victim. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the injured woman in a Kane County court.

Batavia, Illinois Girl Bitten by Dog During Visit to Naperville Home

Naperville dog bite attorney John Malm was retained by the family of a young girl to pursue a claim for damages arising out of a dog bite that occurred in the back yard of a Naperville home. The child and her family were visiting with friends at the time she was bitten. The young girl suffered bite injuries to her face, requiring surgical attention to address her wounds.

Contact the Illinois Dog Bite Lawyers at The Law Offices of John J. Malm & Associates

After seeking prompt emergency medical attention, you should report any dog bite incident or attack to local animal control. Then, consult with the Naperville personal lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Malm & Associates. You may be entitled to a substantial settlement if you have been injured. Call 630-527-4177, or 312-422-6855, and speak with Attorney John J. Malm and his team today.