michelle stump
20 days ago
Working with Ed and Amber has been a true pleasure. They handled my claim efficiently and professionally, ensuring the process moved smoothly from start to finish. Their responsiveness, expertise, and effectiveness in working with the insurance carrier contributed greatly to a successful resolution. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, dedication, and guidance throughout the matter, and I am grateful for the outstanding service they provided.
Johanna Bukowski
2 months ago
Ed and Maggie have both been a pleasure to work with! They keep you up to date on your case, clearly explain the process and next steps along the way, respond quickly to any questions and always offer different options to discuss details (email, phone, text, Zoom, etc.). What I appreciate more than anything, is their genuine compassion and concern for you as a person. They both demonstrate true empathy for what is most likely one of the most unexpected and traumatic events in a person’s life and do everything they can to ensure justice is served. I highly recommend Collins Law!
Jeff Matticks
3 months ago
I became aware of Collins Law Group after I was involved in a motorcycle, several years ago. Since that time I have reached out to Ed Manzke, at Collins Law Group, for assistance in a couple of other areas. In each instance, I have found Ed and his team to be very helpful with great communication, keeping me informed every step along the way. Everyone who I have interacted with, at Collins Law Group, demonstrated that they are interested in building relationships so that you know who you can turn to for any of your legal needs.
Ella Folson
3 months ago
Chris and John were attentive and thorough to my needs throughout my entire case. I appreciate the all the time and effort they took. I will be recommending their services going forward to family and friends! Thank you so much for all your help!
J. Savv
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very patient and kind with helping me and my sister with our mom’s case. He often took the time out his day to explain everything to ensure we understood what was going on. The law firm itself is organized making our whole process run smoothly. I appreciate Ed and his team.
Unique Morris
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very informative, clear and honest when it came to my mother and father’s case. He took his time with all of my questions and concerns, making sure that no questions went unanswered and that there was no room for confusion with our case. I’m forever grateful for Ed and everyone at the law firm.
Nick Erlenbaugh
3 months ago
Collins Law was recommended to me after I was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Amber Blevins was exceptional to work with. She is a total pro at what she does and made the process as easy as she could for me. Ed ensured I received the best outcome possible and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who might be shopping around for an attorney!
Dwayne Kurfirst
4 months ago
I want to take a moment to recognize John at Collins Law for the incredible work he did in helping my mom secure her settlement. It wasn’t a quick or easy process—it took time, patience, and persistence—but John stayed committed every step of the way. What stood out most was his professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for getting the best possible outcome. He kept us informed, navigated the complexities with confidence, and ultimately delivered results that truly made a difference for our family. If you’re looking for someone who will put in the work, stand by you through a long process, and follow through, I highly recommend John and the team at Collins Law.
Helen Montague
5 months ago
We are fortunate to have had the chance to work with John Risvold as he represented my brother in his case. Professional, personable and authentic in his manner, John kept us informed throughout the long process, and was always available to respond to my many questions. Having never been involved with a law suit, I really appreciated John's patience (especially since I am 1,000 miles away) and his genuine care for my brother's well being. We are forever grateful, John. Thank you.
Matthew Malone
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience being represented by Collins Law Firm. Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins were amazing to work with and truly helped me in my time of need. Both were extremely personable and knowledgeable throughout every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone’s legal needs.
Ronnie Sanchez
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience with The Collins Law firm. Amber was extremely helpful, kind, and friendly throughout the entire process. She took the time to explain everything clearly whenever I didn’t understand something, which meant a lot to me. I truly felt supported and informed. I will absolutely seek Collin’s help again if I ever need legal assistance in the future. Thank you again :)
Maddie Scheele
6 months ago
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins. They are truly the best of the best. The efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process of my case has been unmatched. What I really want to point out, though, is the empathy and compassion both Amber and Ed hold. That was the true difference maker. I knew they both prioritized my well-being and made that their number one priority. They represented me to their highest capabilities through every step of my case, and I cannot thank them and Collins Law Firm enough.
Leticia Pink
7 months ago
Ms. Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental (radon) attorney who prioritizes her clients' health and safety in her legal practice. She maintains thorough records and offers strategic advice while working with government agencies. Ms. Galka demonstrates key values such as integrity, expertise, respect, empathy, and compassion essential for positive outcomes. Her professionalism, follow-up and communication skills are excellent. Ms. Galka's guidance extends beyond legal issues, and the Collins Law Firm advocates strongly and effectively for clients. We sincerely thank Collins Law Firm, and in particular Ms. Galka, for helping our family reach a successful outcome and for their meaningful impact on our community. I strongly recommend Ms. Galka and Collins Law Firm as an outstanding legal firm.
Megan
7 months ago
I can’t say enough good things about John Risvold at The Collins Law Firm. From start to finish, John was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made me feel like my case truly mattered. His dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care made a stressful situation much easier to handle. John’s expertise and clear communication built a lot of trust, and I’m very grateful for his hard work. I would highly recommend John Risvold to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled attorney.
David Bretti
7 months ago
(Translated by Google) They are very responsible in what they do, they were able to resolve my case quickly and efficiently, I especially recommend Mr. Chris for always being in contact and being honest throughout the process 👏🏻 (Original) Son muy responsables en lo que hacen, pudieron resolver mi caso de forma rápida y eficaz, recomendando, especialmente el Se Chris por siempre estar en contacto y ser sincero en todo el proceso 👏🏻
Jas R.
7 months ago
Amber was very thorough, informative, and made this process very easy for me, which I greatly appreciated considering all the events that led up to this point. Justice isn’t always served, but working with Collin’s Law Firm really me feel that my injuries were tangibly worth something, and that to some degree, justice was served. Would highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking out a personal injury firm/attorney.
Amy Ressen
9 months ago
I wana say a huge thank you to the Collin’s Law firm and Chris Gauthier for helping me with my Complicated case. They helped me put my life back together after a horrible incident that I didn’t think I could over come. Chris was always good about communicating and he made sure I got what I deserved! I highly recommend this law firm they were so kind and reassuring that things would work out. Thank you again for all the hard work and being there to help me through the process when I didn’t know where to turn to for help! Thanks again Chris and The Collin’s Law firm!
Lauren Dryanski
9 months ago
I had an exceptional experience with Collins Law Firm . A special thank you to Chris, my lawyer, and Patti, the legal assistant. They helped me navigate my car accident proceedings from start to finish, and I always felt like I was in great hands. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and explained everything in a way I could understand. He always made sure I felt informed and supported, especially when it came to legal details I wouldn’t normally know. Patti was also wonderful—very helpful, communicative, and always made sure I had everything I needed throughout the process. I never once doubted this team. They made everything easy and stress-free. I would absolutely recommend Collins Law Firm to anyone in need of legal support!
Will Brooks
11 months ago
John brings impressive expertise and heartfelt dedication to every matter he handles. His thoughtful approach and clear communication make it easy to trust his advice, and it’s evident he is committed to fighting for what’s right with both professionalism and empathy. John’s balance of insightful expertise and warm, personal attention truly sets him apart.
Icela Hernandez
0 years ago
If ever needed. I will gladly go to the Collins law firm again. They were always quick to respond any questions. Happy to say case is closed and all went well .
A serious dog attack is a violent, frightening event, and the injuries it leaves behind are often more than skin deep: torn muscle and nerve damage, wounds that require reconstructive surgery, infection, permanent scarring, and, especially for children, lasting psychological trauma. If you or your child has been attacked by a dog in Illinois, the law is strongly on your side, and Collins Law Group can help you use it.
Some states still require an injured person to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Illinois does not. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, the owner of a dog that attacks or injures someone is civilly liable without the victim having to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had ever bitten anyone before. The statute says it plainly:
“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”
510 ILCS 5/16, the Illinois Animal Control Act
Notice what the statute covers. It is not limited to bites: an attack, an attempted attack, or an injury is enough, which matters when a dog knocks someone off a bicycle or off their feet without ever closing its jaws. And it is not limited to dogs; it applies to “a dog or other animal.”
A claim under the Act comes down to four things: the animal attacked, attempted to attack, or injured you; you did not provoke it; you were conducting yourself peaceably; and you were somewhere you had a legal right to be, whether that is a public sidewalk, a park, or a home you were invited into. There is no requirement of a prior bite, no requirement of a “vicious dog” finding, and no requirement that the owner did anything careless.
The Act defines “owner” to include more than the person whose name is on the dog’s license. It covers anyone who “keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him or her.” 510 ILCS 5/2.16. That can matter enormously in real cases: the person watching the dog, the household where the dog lives, or others who kept or harbored the animal may be responsible along with, or instead of, the titled owner. Identifying every responsible party, and every insurance policy behind them, is one of the first things we do.
Injured people are often reluctant to pursue a claim because the dog belongs to a neighbor, a relative, or a friend. In many cases, however, compensation comes from the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than out of the owner’s pocket. That is what the coverage exists for. We handle the insurance company so you can maintain the relationship and still get your medical bills, lost income, and injuries paid for.
Severe bites can sever nerves and tendons, require multiple reconstructive surgeries, and leave permanent scarring and disfigurement, injuries Illinois law compensates directly. Attacks on children are disproportionately serious because bites tend to reach the face and neck, and the psychological aftermath, including nightmares and fear of animals, can outlast the physical wounds. Knock-down injuries in the elderly, including fractures and head injuries, can be life-changing. When an attack leaves permanent damage, our catastrophic injury team builds the case for the full lifetime cost.
Most Illinois injury claims, including dog bite claims, must be filed within two years. 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If a claim involves a local government entity, the deadline is generally one year under the Tort Immunity Act. The practical deadline is earlier than either: witnesses scatter, the dog’s history gets harder to document, and wounds heal in ways that make photographs taken today irreplaceable. Photograph everything now and call us.
Get medical care immediately, even for wounds that look manageable; bite wounds carry serious infection risk and proper documentation of the injury starts at the first visit. Identify the dog and its owner, and ask animal control to make a report, which also creates a record of the dog’s rabies vaccination status. Photograph the injuries, the location, and the dog if you safely can. Get names and contact information for witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the owner’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. And keep everything: torn clothing, medical records, and every photograph as the wounds heal.
Compensation in a dog attack case can include medical bills and future medical care, including reconstructive surgery; lost wages and lost earning capacity; pain and suffering; disfigurement and scarring, which Illinois law treats as its own element of damages; and the psychological harm that follows a violent attack, particularly in children.
Yes. The Animal Control Act does not require any prior bite or any proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous. This is the core difference between Illinois law and the “one-bite” states.
A claim is typically presented to the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Many clients pursue compensation while preserving the relationship; we handle the insurer directly.
Workers lawfully on the property are protected by the Act, and a workers’ compensation claim may run alongside the injury claim. We sort out both.
Provocation is the defense insurers reach for first, and it gets argued about because the statute does not define it. Whether conduct amounts to provocation depends on the facts, and very young children present special issues. Do not accept an insurer’s assertion that your child “provoked” a dog; talk to a lawyer first.
Nothing up front. The consultation is free, and we are paid a percentage only if we recover for you.
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