Dog Bite Attorneys In Naperville, Illinois

Last updated on June 12, 2025

Were you or a loved one attacked by an animal, resulting in an injury, such as a dog bite? At The Crannell Law Group, LLC, we urge you to get prompt, top-notch medical attention as well as timely legal advice.

A dog bite is traumatic and can leave both physical and psychological scars. Even if the dog’s owner is a friend or family member, do not hesitate to get legal counsel. You may be eligible for compensation through a dog owner’s or property owner’s homeowners insurance or other sources.

The Devastating Impact Of A Dog Bite Injury

Dog bites and other injuries caused by animals can result in harm that ranges from scratches and puncture wounds to life-long disfiguring and disabling injuries, including, for many people, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Illinois Animal Control Act holds the owner responsible for injuries caused by their animal, “if a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place she or he may lawfully be.”

While this sounds simple, these matters are often complex, and you should consult with an Aurora and Naperville dog bite attorney at our firm before you do anything that could harm your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites

Below, we discuss some of the common questions that we get regarding our clients’ potential claims.

How do I find out if the dog/animal owner has insurance? Or how do I find out who my neighbor’s homeowners insurance company is?

This is a tough question to answer. Most homeowners are required to maintain homeowners insurance if they have a mortgage. But, not all homeowners insurance policies cover dog bites and/or animal attacks. Some policies exclude attacks or bites of certain dog breeds, like pit bulls. Some exclude dog bites or animal attacks completely.

As dog bite attorneys, we are familiar with various homeowners insurance coverages and exclusions, so we can quickly review the policy in question and tell you whether your injuries are covered.

If the dog owner is a renter, there may be a claim against the renter’s insurance or the landlord’s insurance. This analysis takes a great deal of investigation and sometimes requires filing a lawsuit to get the information we need to identify and analyze the various insurance policies.

When I file a dog bite injury claim, what happens to my neighbor? Is the claim against my neighbor, their insurance company or both?

This is often a delicate situation. We have represented neighbors, postal workers (who continue to see their customers on their routes during and after the claims) and complete strangers.

As experienced local dog bite attorneys, we pride ourselves on providing professional representation. In other words, we conduct ourselves as if we have to live next to the dog owner for the foreseeable future, because we know that most people who are bitten live or work near where the bites occurred.

Most often, your neighbor’s insurance will cover the cost of their attorney, and their insurance company will pay for your injuries, not your neighbor.

What happens to the dog/animal if I make a claim? Can I request that the animal be “put down,” or euthanized, or not be euthanized?

This is largely out of your and our hands, aside from any agreement you, or we, might be able to reach with the homeowner. Animal control should be notified and their investigation, the dog’s history and the owner’s response will influence the outcome for the animal.

What can I recover for a dog bite claim?

The law entitles you to be “made whole” for your injuries. This means that you should receive economic damages to cover past and future medical bills and lost wages, as well as household services if you have to hire someone to do things that you are not able to do because of your injuries.

You may also be eligible for noneconomic damages, including past and future pain and suffering, disability or loss of a normal life, disfigurement, and mental or emotional distress.

Schedule A Free Consultation After A Dog Bite Injury With An Attorney

We have more than 25 combined years of experience, and we look forward to putting our skills to use for you after you have been bitten by a dog.

If you have questions about your injuries and potential claim, reach out to us online or by phone at (630) 995-9995 to schedule a free consultation. If you would like to forego the initial intake process, you can complete this form prior to our meeting.