Lost Wages in Dog Bite Cases

Dog Bite Compensation Includes Lost Income

As personal injury attorneys, we see how dog bites can interrupt paychecks and strain family budgets. Clients often miss hours or weeks for medical treatment. Illinois law allows victims to recover lost wages in dog bite cases.

Under 510 ILCS 5/ (Illinois Animal Control Act), an owner is strictly liable when a dog bites someone who is lawfully present, so we do not have to prove prior knowledge to recover lost income.

That framework supports dog bite compensation for wage loss as part of economic damages, alongside medical bills, medical expenses, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Dog bite injuries have serious consequences. Physical pain, disfigurement, and permanent injury are common after a dog attack, and the financial impact can be just as real. Most claims must be filed within two years under (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

We move quickly to preserve records, document missed shifts, open the claim, and ensure your income loss is fully captured. If a dog attack happens at work or while traveling to treatment, we coordinate with employment benefits to protect your take-home pay.

Dog bite victims can recover lost earnings and mental trauma from insurance companies

What Qualifies as “Lost Wages” in Your Dog Attack Claim?

When dog bites keep you from working, your dog bite claim can cover far more than a single paycheck.

In cases arising from dog attacks, we document every income stream you reasonably would have earned and present it with your medical bills and medical expenses, plus treatment records for dog bite injuries, so insurers see the full picture. We may include:

Base pay missed during treatment and recovery
Regular overtime, verified by timecards and prior pay periods
Shift differentials and other schedule-based premiums
Commissions and bonuses supported by historical performance
Tips and gratuities from POS reports or employer logs
PTO/sick leave used for treatment or recovery
Reduced hours or a light-duty differential after return to work
Self-employment or gig income, supported by invoices, contracts, deposits, and a simple P&L
Canceled contracts or bookings tied to the incident

A dog bite attorney on our team can explain how each category applies to your facts.

How to Document Your Lost Earnings for a Dog Bite Claim

To ensure your earnings claim is upheld, we gather proof from day one and present it in the format insurers expect. We ask dog bite victims to assemble:

Doctor’s work notes confirming dates you could not work and any light-duty restrictions tied to your dog bite injuries
Employer verification letter listing position, pay rate, average hours, typical overtime, bonus/commission plan, and exact dates missed
Pay records, including recent stubs, prior W-2s or 1099s, and timecards showing your normal schedule and overtime pattern
PTO/sick leave records used for treatment or recovery
Self-employment or gig documentation: invoices, signed contracts, booking calendars, bank deposits, and a simple P&L comparing pre- and post-incident revenue
Appointment calendar and missed-shift log linking each absence to treatment
Transportation or childcare notes if restrictions reduced shifts or required shorter days
Incident documentation such as the animal control report, photos, and witness names

How Lost Earnings Impact the Average Dog Bite Settlement

Missed earnings are a core part of economic damages in any dog bite claim. Along with medical bills and medical expenses, they often drive settlement value, especially when a dog attack keeps you out of work for weeks due to dog bite injuries.

Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and mental trauma, can further increase compensation. Every dog attack case is different; severity and recovery outlook are key factors.

There is no universal figure, but strong wage documentation typically raises the average claim for a dog bite in Illinois. Insurers focus on proof.

Our dog bite lawyers in Chicago total every paycheck, overtime pattern, and benefit you lost and present a clear wage package with your medical record. To protect your rights, contact our experienced dog bite attorneys today. We will capture every

Free Case Evaluation
312-779-6171

I expressly request and give permission to being contacted by Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLClaw firm or their co-counsel practicing in this area of law, at any time, including but not limited to calls using an auto dialer, text, fax or email, in response to my inquiry at the telephone number(s) provided, even if these result in charges to me by my carrier. Consent is not a condition for services. This consent overrides any state, federal or corporate do-not-call registry rules or list. I understand that submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. I also understand that Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC works with multiple law firms on these claims and that I may be contacted by an affiliated law firm working with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC on these lawsuits.

Client Reviews

All I can say is that I wish I would have contacted these attorneys earlier. After getting low-balled by an insurance company they were able to secure a settlement shortly after I hired them. They were knowledgeable about the law and took the time to understand my situation. I can’t say how pleased...

Sheila C.

I had a work-related dog attack that caused me to fall down a flight of stairs while making a delivery. A friend suggested I talk with these attorneys to help with the workers’ compensation and claim against the homeowner. They took care of both cases for me and handled all of the paperwork to make...

Mike W.

If you are looking for a top dog bite lawyer, call Mr. Rosenfeld and his associates. They are very pleasant to work with and promptly return calls and text messages. I and certain that they can get your case promptly resolved for the fair value.

Jamie S.

Leave Us a Message