Real Dog Bite Cases. Real Results.
$700,000
Dog Bite
St. Louis County, MO
Our client was attacked by a neighbor’s dog, requiring facial reconstructive surgery. We uncovered multiple policy layers and settled before trial.
$425,000
Dog Bite
Madison County, IL
A delivery worker was bitten on the hand while making a drop-off. The homeowner claimed the dog had never bitten before, but our investigation showed otherwise.
$500,000
Dog Attack
Jefferson County, MO
Our client was chased by an off-leash dog and suffered a serious ankle fracture while fleeing. The insurance company denied liability. We took depositions and forced a settlement.
“They really listened. I never felt like just another case. They fought hard and kept me updated every step of the way.”
Why Choose Sotiriou Wilmowski for Your Dog Bite Case
We Know the Insurance Playbook
Our attorneys defended dog bite and attack claims for years. We know every delay tactic and how to counter it.
Real Legal Experience
You’ll work with experienced, trial-ready attorneys, not junior associates.
Personal Support, Real Answers
We’re responsive, transparent, and here when you need us. No surprises. No runaround.
No Fee Unless We Win
We cover upfront costs, and you only pay if we recover money for you.
Trusted & Respected
We’ve helped clients recover millions and earned recognition for our results and client care.
What Our Clients Say
The Sotiriou Wilmowski Insider Advantage™
We spent years defending dog bite claims for insurance companies. Now we use that knowledge to fight for the injured.
Deme Sotiriou defended dog bite cases on behalf of one of the largest insurers in the country. She knows the pressure points, loopholes, and tricks insurers use to minimize payouts, and how to shut them down.
Tom Wilmowski handled dog attack claims from the insurer’s side and saw firsthand how dog owners and insurers try to deflect blame. Now, he uses that experience to build powerful cases for the injured.
Why Our Experience Gives You the Edge
Before we represented injury victims, we defended insurance companies, including those who handle dog bite and animal attack claims. We know how they evaluate these cases, what makes them nervous, and how they try to reduce payouts.
We’ve reviewed veterinary records, interviewed dog owners, and combed through years of medical history looking for excuses to deny claims. Now we use that experience to build strong cases for our clients.
We’ve helped clients attacked in homes, apartment complexes, parks, and public spaces across St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois, including children, delivery drivers, joggers, and bystanders who never saw it coming.
We understand local ordinances, leash laws, and “dangerous dog” designations, and we know how to prove negligence even when the owner says the dog has never bitten before.
We’ve Been in Their War Room. Now We’re in Yours
Our insider experience gives you a strategic advantage when you’re up against homeowners insurance or renters insurance companies.
Put Our Experience to Work for You
Dog bite claims aren’t just about medical bills: they’re about lasting trauma, scarring, and pain.
Don’t let the insurance company minimize your injuries or blame you for the attack. Get a team that’s already been inside their playbook.
That’s the Sotiriou Wilmowski Insider Advantage™
Bitten by a dog?
Talk to former insurance lawyers who now fight for victims.
Questions? We’ve Got Answers
We’ve handled these cases from both sides. Now we use that insider experience to help you win. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from dog bite victims:
Types of Dog Attack Cases We Handle
We don’t just handle dog attack cases: we understand them from the inside. Tom and Deme used to represent dog owners and their insurers. We know their tactics, their pressure points, and what it takes to win.
Unprovoked dog bites
Unprovoked dog bites often occur without warning, leaving victims shocked and injured. These attacks can cause serious physical harm, including puncture wounds, scarring, and long-term trauma. Even if the dog had never shown aggression before, Missouri and Illinois law typically hold owners responsible for their dog’s actions. Our firm knows how insurers attempt to minimize these cases and fights to ensure victims receive full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We have the experience to prove liability and secure justice for those injured by sudden, unprovoked dog attacks.
Attacks in apartment complexes or condos
When dog attacks occur in shared living spaces like apartment complexes or condominiums, liability can extend beyond the pet owner to include landlords, property managers, or homeowners’ associations. These cases often involve questions about leash rules, fencing, or failure to enforce safety policies. Victims may suffer both physical injuries and emotional distress, particularly in a setting where they expect to feel safe. Our attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability to hold the responsible parties accountable. We fight for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care while pushing for safer living environments to prevent future attacks.
Bites by known dangerous breeds
Some dog breeds are classified as dangerous because of their size, strength, or history of aggressive behavior. When owners of these dogs fail to take proper precautions, the results can be devastating. Victims may suffer catastrophic injuries requiring surgery, hospitalization, and long-term rehabilitation. These cases often involve proving the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s tendencies or failure to comply with breed-specific regulations. Our attorneys are skilled at holding negligent owners accountable, even when insurers try to shift blame onto the victim. We aggressively pursue compensation to cover medical costs, lost wages, and emotional suffering caused by these attacks.
Dog attacks on children
Children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks due to their smaller size and inability to defend themselves. Unfortunately, these attacks often result in severe injuries such as facial scarring, nerve damage, or even long-lasting emotional trauma. Holding negligent dog owners accountable is critical to protecting children and covering the cost of medical treatment, therapy, and future care. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges these cases present and bring compassionate yet aggressive advocacy for young victims and their families. We fight to make sure children and parents have the resources needed to recover and move forward after such devastating incidents.
Dog bite infections or disfigurement
Dog bites can lead to dangerous infections, scarring, and permanent disfigurement. Infections like cellulitis or rabies can require extensive treatment and pose life-threatening risks. Disfigurement, particularly on visible areas such as the face, can cause lasting emotional trauma and impact a victim’s self-confidence and career. These cases require careful documentation of medical treatment and future care needs. Our firm has extensive experience handling severe injury claims, ensuring that victims receive the financial support necessary for surgeries, rehabilitation, and counseling. We fight tirelessly to recover damages that reflect the true extent of the physical and emotional harm caused by dog attacks.
Off-leash or roaming dog attacks
Dogs allowed to roam freely or left off-leash pose a serious risk to public safety. Attacks often happen suddenly, giving victims no chance to protect themselves. These incidents can occur in neighborhoods, parks, or while walking down the street, leaving victims with severe physical and emotional injuries. Owners who fail to restrain their dogs are typically liable for the harm caused. Our firm has a strong track record of proving negligence in off-leash dog attack cases, ensuring that victims receive full compensation for medical treatment, therapy, lost income, and other damages. We work to hold owners accountable and protect communities.
Injuries from being chased or knocked down by a dog
Not all dog attacks involve bites: being chased or knocked down can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, concussions, and sprains. These incidents often happen when a dog is off-leash, inadequately restrained, or unsupervised. Even without a bite, the law recognizes the harm caused by aggressive or reckless canine behavior. Our team has handled many of these cases and knows how to demonstrate that the dog owner is liable for the injuries you suffered. We pursue compensation for medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering, ensuring victims aren’t left paying the price for an owner’s negligence.
Attacks at dog-friendly businesses or parks
Dog-friendly businesses and public parks are intended to be safe and enjoyable spaces, but they can quickly become dangerous when a dog attacks. Whether due to an owner’s negligence or inadequate safety policies, victims often face significant injuries in these settings. Liability may rest with the dog’s owner, the business, or both, depending on the circumstances. Our attorneys know how to investigate these complex cases, holding all responsible parties accountable. We fight for compensation to cover immediate medical care, ongoing treatment, and emotional trauma, while also advocating for safer policies to protect others from similar attacks.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Every dog case is different, but here’s what you may be able to recover:
We Handle Dog Bite Cases Across Missouri and Illinois
We’re based in St. Louis but take serious dog bite cases throughout Missouri and Illinois, including urban, suburban, and rural communities.