Illinois Man Receives $300K Settlement From Dog Attack

An Illinois man who suffered severe injuries to his hand and fingers in a dog attack received a $300,000 settlement, the law firm John J. Malm & Associates said.

The man attacked by two pit bulls while taking his German Shepard for a walk in the town of Elgin. The incident occurred when he tried to separate the pit bulls from his dog, at which point he was attacked.

Local animal control authorities cited the owner of the pit bulls, and the dogs were officially declared dangerous animals under applicable regulations, the man’s attorneys said. These findings played a key role in establishing liability, according to the law firm.

The injuries to the man’s hand and fingers carry a long-term impact on his life, his lawyers John J. Malm and Jason Schneider said, which contributed to the man successfully obtaining the full limit of the defendant’s homeowner’s insurance policy.

“Homeowners need to understand that they can be held financially responsible for injuries caused by their animals,” Malm said. “Proper insurance coverage not only protects them, but also ensures that victims have a path to recovery.”

Homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover dog bite liability legal expenses of $100,000 to $300,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

Dog bite claims have risen in severity in recent years, as insurers paid out about $1.6 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2024, per data compiled by Triple-I and State Farm.

Related: Dog Bite Claims Soar in Frequency and Cost: Report