Kenosha Dog Bite Lawyer

A walk through Petrifying Springs Park or a backyard barbecue in Somers can turn traumatic in seconds when a dog attacks. Wisconsin law holds dog owners strictly liable, yet insurance companies often try to minimize or deny claims. At Lindner Law, LLC, we act quickly to preserve evidence, establish liability, and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.

Kenosha’s mix of lakefront neighborhoods, suburban subdivisions, and rural properties keeps people and pets in constant contact. Local animal control records document dozens of reported bites every year, many involving children who never saw the danger approaching. After more than thirty years serving injured Wisconsinites, our firm knows the leash ordinances, vaccination rules, and medical specialists who handle complex reconstructive care. We deploy that knowledge on day one of every case.

Why Kenosha Families Trust Lindner Law, LLC as Their Dog Bite Attorney

Exclusive focus on Wisconsin injury law

Every attorney at Lindner Law, LLC handles only personal injury matters within the state. New statutes and appellate rulings appear in your case strategy the day they become law.

Proven results that prompt fast settlements

Tens of millions recovered for injury victims statewide show insurers we are willing to go to trial. That trial readiness pushes many bite claims to settle at full value without court.

No fee unless we win

You pay nothing out of pocket. We advance investigation costs, expert fees, and filing expenses, then collect a percentage only after money is recovered for you. If we do not succeed you owe nothing.

Local insight

Our team knows which city neighborhoods produce the most animal control calls, the veterinarians who handle quarantine reports, and the judges who hear civil cases in Kenosha County Circuit Court. This insight shortens timelines and raises settlement offers.

Client first communication

You receive direct phone numbers for your attorney and paralegal, same day return calls, and flexible evening or weekend appointments. When mobility is limited because of injury we visit your home or hospital room.

Wisconsin Dog Bite Law Basics

Strict liability

Under Wisconsin Statute 174.02, the ‘one-free-bite’ rule does not exist in any dog bite case. When a dog bites a person, the dog’s owner is legally liable for all resulting damages. These include medical expenses, health insurance coverage for plastic surgery costs, wage loss, pain and suffering, and any physical injury caused by the dog, regardless of whether the dog had previously shown any signs of aggression. This means dog bite liability applies on public sidewalks, inside private homes, and even when on private property where the owner tried but failed to restrain the animal. Because proof of negligence is unnecessary, our job focuses on establishing ownership, documenting injuries, and calculating full compensatory value.

Double damages for repeat bites

Under Wisconsin law, if a dog has previously caused injury to a person, the victim’s compensatory damages are doubled, effectively serving as a punitive multiplier. Confirming a prior incident quickly is vital, so we pull animal-control databases, veterinarian quarantine logs, and past homeowner insurance policy claims. Even a minor nip recorded two years ago can activate the statute’s double-damages provision and significantly increase your recovery.

Three-year lawsuit deadline

Most adult victims must file a personal injury claim suit within three years of the attack date (Wis. Stat. § 893.54), adhering to the statute of limitations requirements. Minors may sue until age twenty, but waiting is risky: surveillance footage is overwritten, witnesses relocate, and medical records become harder to retrieve. Claims involving city-owned property, such as incidents of a dog running loose in a municipal park, necessitate the submission of a written notice of injury. This notice is often required within 120 days. Therefore, engaging legal counsel at an early stage ensures that all deadlines are met.

Shared-fault arguments

Insurance adjusters often claim the victim “provoked” the dog by running, shouting, or reaching to pet without permission, despite the fact that many victims face severe injuries. Wisconsin’s modified comparative-negligence rule still allows recovery when the victim is 50 percent or less at fault, but any assigned percentage reduces the award. We interview bystanders, obtain doorbell or park-camera video, and consult animal-behavior experts to demonstrate the attack was unprovoked, driving your comparative-fault number as low as possible—or eliminating it entirely.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Deep lacerations and puncture wounds

A dog’s conical teeth slice through multiple skin layers and drive saliva rich with bacteria into the wound track. Emergency physicians irrigate under high pressure, remove devitalized tissue, and often leave part of the bite partially open so fluid can drain. In cases of serious injuries, broad-spectrum antibiotics start immediately, along with medical treatment such as tetanus boosters if vaccinations are outdated. When bites involve the face, neck, or hands, a trauma or plastic surgeon performs layered suturing under magnification to align skin, muscle, and nerve endings for the best functional and cosmetic result, which may also include reconstructive surgery. Follow-up visits check for swelling, redness, or drainage that signal infection, and victims may require scar-management therapy with silicone sheets or pressure garments for several months.

Nerve damage that limits movement or feeling

When canines puncture deep enough to reach peripheral nerves in the palm, wrist, calf, or ankle, victims can lose sensation or fine-motor control. Electromyography pinpoints damaged segments, and surgical options range from primary repair with microsutures to nerve-graft transplantation using donor tissue from the sural nerve in the leg. Recovery is slow because nerves regrow only about one millimeter per day. Occupational therapists design splints, guided-motion exercises, and desensitization techniques to re-train the brain as new neural pathways form. Even with optimal care, some patients experience permanent grip weakness or dropping objects without warning.

Scarring and disfigurement on visible areas

Severe bites to cheeks, lips, eyelids, or the dorsum of the hand leave jagged edges that heal unpredictably. After the initial closure, plastic surgeons track scar maturation for twelve to eighteen months, then schedule staged procedures such as Z-plasty, dermabrasion, fractional laser resurfacing, or fat grafting to improve contour and color match. Visible scarring can hinder careers in customer-facing roles and reduce self-esteem during social interaction. Vocational experts and psychologists provide reports that quantify how disfigurement limits employment options and quality of life, ensuring these intangible harms are fully valued in the claim.

Infections including rabies or tetanus

Up to twenty percent of bite wounds develop cellulitis or deeper abscesses caused by Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, or Capnocytophaga bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Infection symptoms such as swelling, warmth, and pus can appear within 24 hours. If oral antibiotics are ineffective, intravenous treatment, surgical drainage, and inpatient care are required. When the dog’s rabies vaccine is unverified, victims begin a series of four post-exposure injections over fourteen days, which can cause fever, fatigue, and arm pain that disrupt work. All related expenses, including vaccine series, lost wages, and additional childcare, are included in the damages claim.

Crush injuries to bones and joints

Large breeds can exert bite forces exceeding four hundred pounds per square inch. Metacarpal bones in the hand, radial shafts near the wrist, or the zygomatic arch in the cheek can crack or explode into multiple fragments. Orthopedic surgeons or maxillofacial specialists use titanium plates, cortical screws, or wire fixation to realign pieces. Bone healing takes six to twelve weeks, followed by physiotherapy to combat stiffness and muscle atrophy. Hardware may need removal if it irritates surrounding tissue, adding a second surgery and additional downtime that insurers must compensate.

Psychological trauma

Long after stitches are removed, many victims experience hyper-vigilance around barking dogs, startle easily at sudden movements, and replay the attack in intrusive memories. Children may regress in toilet training or sleep with lights on, while adults might avoid parks or neighborhoods where dogs are present. Mental-health professionals diagnose acute stress disorder or emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and employ cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or eye-movement desensitization to reduce symptoms. Therapy records and counselor affidavits demonstrate how emotional injuries interfere with school performance, job attendance, and family relationships, converting invisible pain into documented monetary value for settlement or trial.

Key Evidence in a Dog Bite Claim

Animal-control and police reports

Immediately after an attack, responding law enforcement officers document bite depth, body-location diagrams, and the dog’s vaccination status. They list every witness, photograph the scene, and record the owner’s statement quickly before they can minimize fault. Kennel officers note whether the dog was leashed, fenced, or running at large and issue citations for ordinance violations. These reports become the first, time-stamped proof that the bite occurred and that the owner was on notice of the injury.

Prior-incident documentation

Wisconsin’s double-damages rule only activates when an earlier bite or aggressive incident exists. To uncover that history, we search animal-control databases, court dockets for past citations, veterinary clinic logs that record quarantine visits, and homeowner-insurance claim indexes that flag prior payouts. Even a “nip” that never reached court can satisfy the statute and instantly double your compensatory award.

Quarantine paperwork and vaccination data

State law mandates a ten-day rabies confinement for every biting dog. Quarantine orders name the legal owner, list microchip numbers, and schedule the vet exams that clear the dog for release. Missing an exam or delaying a vaccination indicates non-compliance, showing the owner disregards safety rules. These documents also defeat any argument that ownership is uncertain.

Progressive wound photography

High-resolution images taken in the ER, at suture removal, and at 30-, 60-, and 90-day milestones show color change, swelling, infection, and eventual scarring. Side-by-side comparisons let jurors and adjusters see precisely how a nickel-size puncture balloons into a jagged scar or keloid. We include a medical scale in each shot so the lasting cosmetic damage is impossible to downplay.

Medical and psychological records

Operative reports describe layered closures and nerve repairs; plastic-surgery consults outline future revision costs; occupational-therapy notes log grip-strength deficits; and counselor evaluations chart anxiety levels, flashbacks, and social withdrawal. Together they create a direct, chronological link between the dog bite and every physical, emotional, and financial consequence you face.

Insurance-policy declarations

The homeowner’s or renter’s declaration (dec) page reveals policy limits, animal-bite exclusions, breed restrictions, and any umbrella or excess coverage attached to the household. Knowing these limits early shapes our demand: we may settle quickly at policy limits or push into litigation to access an umbrella layer. Dec pages also identify the insurer’s legal team, letting us anticipate defense strategies before negotiations even begin.

Damages You Can Recover

Medical expenses

Ambulance transport, emergency care, imaging, rabies shots, stitches, antibiotics, plastic surgery revisions, occupational therapy, and projected future procedures.

Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

Skipped paychecks during recovery and expert projections of lifetime income loss if grip strength, appearance, or mobility remains impaired.

Physical pain and suffering

Daily wound care, nerve pain flares, tightening scar tissue, and discomfort that limits hobbies or household tasks.

Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment

Anxiety around dogs, avoidance of parks, nightmares, and embarrassment in social or professional settings due to visible scars.

Permanent disfigurement compensation

Separate payment for scars on the face, neck, or hands that remain noticeable despite corrective surgery.

Punitive damages

Additional sums imposed when owners ignore leash laws or fail to restrain a dog after a prior bite incident.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

1. Seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment lowers infection risk and documents injuries.
2. Report the incident to Kenosha Police or Animal Control to create an official record and trigger quarantine.
3. Identify and photograph the dog and owner. Clear images help prove identity if liability is denied later.
4. Collect witness contact information from neighbors, delivery drivers, or other park visitors.
5. Preserve damaged clothing and items in sealed bags for possible DNA testing.
6. Avoid detailed statements to insurers until you speak with legal counsel.
7. Call Lindner Law, LLC so our team can secure surveillance video, obtain prior bite records, and guide all communications with adjusters.

Our Five Phase Process

1. Free strategy consultation
   We review medical records, explain your rights, and set clear expectations about timelines and likely case value.
2. Rapid investigation
   Investigators pull animal control files, interview witnesses, and photograph the scene while footprints and blood traces remain visible.
3. Medical and psychological documentation
   Collaboration with surgeons and therapists projects future care costs and emotional recovery needs.
4. Settlement negotiation
   A detailed demand package supported by expert statements and recent jury results presses insurers to resolve the claim promptly.
5. Trial readiness
   If negotiations stall, we file suit in Kenosha County Circuit Court and push for the earliest trial date, often prompting settlement before the first hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover damages if I may have startled the dog?

Yes. Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rule lets you collect damages as long as you are 50 percent or less at fault. Brief actions, such as stepping onto a porch or reaching to pet a dog described as friendly, typically do not qualify as provocation under the statute. We interview every witness, obtain doorbell or park-camera footage, and consult animal-behavior experts to determine the dog’s reaction. By documenting the animal’s prior temperament and the owner’s actions regarding restraint or warnings, we aim to reduce your comparative negligence and fault percentage, potentially to zero, to maximize your share of the award.

Will my neighbor have to pay out of pocket?

Almost never. Homeowner, condominium, or renter policies typically carry $100,000 to $300,000 in personal-liability coverage, and many households add an umbrella policy that supplies an extra $1 million or more. We obtain the policy’s declaration page early, verify liability limits, and confirm that no “dog-bite” or “restricted-breed” exclusion applies. Settlement funds are provided directly by the insurance company. The personal savings and home equity of your neighbor are only utilized in situations where the coverage is exceptionally insufficient and the injuries are severe, which is a rare occurrence.

What if the owner denies the bite happened?

Denial is a common defense, especially when multiple dogs are present. We counter with:

• Medical forensics – ER physicians document bite-pattern width and depth that match the suspected dog’s jaw size.
• Eyewitness testimony – Bystanders, delivery drivers, or park patrons often capture phone photos or video during the chaos.
• DNA or saliva testing – Laboratories can extract canine DNA from torn clothing or gauze swabs to confirm which dog’s saliva is present.
• Quarantine records – The law requires the biting dog to undergo a 10-day rabies hold; failure to comply undermines credibility.

Together these elements create a chain of proof that overcomes even the most emphatic denial.

How long does a Kenosha dog-bite claim take?

Simple cases with clear liability and modest scars often resolve within 6–8 months once the treating physician declares you at maximum medical improvement (MMI). Complex cases involve:

• Staged plastic-surgery revisions – Final results may not be assessable for 12–18 months.
• Nerve-repair recovery – Functional testing is delayed until grafts stabilize.
• Liability disputes – Extra time may be needed to subpoena prior-bite evidence or run DNA tests.

When future care is predictable yet not immediate, we obtain expert cost projections so negotiations can proceed without waiting for every surgery to conclude.

How can a dog bite lawyer help me with my case?

A dog bite lawyer specializes in personal injury cases related to dog attacks and can take legal action on your behalf. They can help by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and ensuring you receive fair compensation for medical care expenses, pain, suffering, and understanding your legal rights with the guidance of a personal injury lawyer. Their expertise can significantly enhance your chances of a successful outcome in your case.

What does it cost to hire Lindner Law, LLC?

Nothing up front. We operate on a pure contingency fee:

1. We advance all expenses – medical-record retrieval, expert reports, filing fees, depositions, and DNA analysis if required.
2. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery – clearly spelled out in the engagement agreement.
3. No recovery, no fee – if we do not secure compensation, you owe zero attorney fee and we absorb the costs we fronted.

Begin Your Recovery Today

Dog bites leave physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. Let Lindner Law, LLC handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.

Call (414) 271-5300 or fill out our online case evaluation form for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win, and one conversation can give you clarity and peace of mind.