Pain and Suffering in Dog Bite Cases

The Hidden Costs of a Dog Attack: More Than Just Medical Expenses

From our experience representing injured clients, we know dog bite victims face harm that goes far beyond bills. A serious dog attack can leave lasting physical pain and often even more devastating emotional scars, and pain and suffering in dog bite cases compensate for that.

The aftermath can bring emotional turmoil, anxiety, sleep disruption, and post-traumatic stress. These invisible wounds can have a profound impact on relationships, careers, and daily routines long after physical injuries have healed. Illinois law recognizes this and allows victims to pursue compensation for their pain and suffering, in addition to economic losses.

What Is “Pain and Suffering” in a Dog Bite Claim?

Pain and suffering is a category of non-economic damages that captures the real human cost of a dog attack, both physical and emotional:

Physical Pain and Suffering. Lingering nerve damage, recurring infections, and scar tightness are common. These issues can limit work, reduce mobility, and make daily tasks painful.

Mental Pain and Suffering. Many survivors experience emotional trauma, mental anguish, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. Children often develop a fear of dogs, while adults may have panic attacks near the attack site. These mental injuries can disrupt sleep, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Without documenting both physical and emotional harm, insurance companies undervalue claims. We make sure that does not happen.

How Is Compensation for Pain and Suffering Calculated?

Unlike many other personal injury cases, there is no receipt for emotional harm. Insurers and courts use two main methods:

The Multiplier Method. They total your economic losses, such as medical records and wage loss, then multiply by 1.5 to 5 or more, depending on severity. Scarring, lasting physical injuries, or serious psychological trauma support a higher multiplier.

The Per Diem Method. We assign a reasonable daily rate for your pain and disruption and multiply it by the number of recovery days. This method is suitable for claims involving prolonged recoveries or ongoing symptoms.

We ensure that these methods accurately reflect the full impact on your life.

Proving Your Pain and Suffering to the Dog Owner’s Insurer

Insurers rarely pay full value for non-economic damages without proof. We build a record that includes:

• Medical records and treatment notes
• Photos and videos of wounds, stitches, and scarring
• Pain journals describing physical pain and emotional distress
• Mental health evaluations confirming trauma-related conditions
• Wage records showing lost wages
• Statements from family or coworkers on changes in behavior
• Expert testimony about lasting effects
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The Illinois Advantage: No “One-Bite Rule” for Pain and Suffering Damages

Many states follow the one-bite rule. Illinois instead applies strict liability for dog bites under the 510 ILCS 5/ (Illinois Animal Control Act), which means owners are automatically liable if their dog injures someone who is lawfully present and not provoking the animal. Time also matters. 735 ILCS 5/13-202 generally gives you two years to file a personal injury claim in Illinois.

Victims do not need to prove prior bites to recover for emotional distress, lasting mental health challenges, and serious physical injuries.

How We Fight for Your Full Recovery in a Dog Bite Lawsuit

We have recovered millions for clients injured in dog attacks, including:

• $1,200,000 for a toddler attacked by a Doberman Pinscher
• $885,000 for a teen pushed into a bonfire during a dog attack
• $700,000 for nerve damage and scarring
• $550,000 for an elderly woman knocked down by a dog
• $400,000 for a child scarred by a German Shepherd
• $380,000 for a 16-year-old needing reconstructive surgeries

These results show what is possible when a team documents the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma our clients face. Our dog bite attorneys in Chicago collaborate with doctors, therapists, and experts to construct robust cases and advocate for the highest possible compensation.

If you or your child was injured in a dog bite, contact us today for a free consultation. Under Illinois law, you generally have two years to file. We are ready to protect your future and your recovery.