Missouri Dog Bite Lawyer
Each year, over 4.5 million people suffer injuries from dog bites. These incidents can result in heavy medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Dog bites may also lead to infections, broken bones, post-traumatic stress disorder, infections, disfigurement, disability, or even death.
In Missouri, dog owners are typically liable for injuries caused by their pets. If you have been bitten in a fatal dog bite attack due to a negligent owner, you have the right to seek compensation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury in St. Louis, Missouri, we will advocate for your legal rights. Schedule a free case evaluation from a dog bite lawyer at the Injury Lawyer Team.
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Contact our Missouri dog bite lawyers to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information shared with your Missouri dog bite lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Missouri Dog Bite Statistics To Know
The National Center for Health Statistics recorded 468 deaths in the United States due to dog attacks between 2011 and 2021.
It is estimated that 15% to 20% of dog bite wounds become infected, with occasional severe cases such as meningitis and endocarditis resulting in death.
In 2016, Missouri reported 2,700 dog bite injuries to insurance companies, with most injuries involving the head and face and commonly involving breeds known for high bite rates.
Kansas City, Missouri, ranked among the top 15 cities where dog attacks on postal workers are most likely to occur, with the U.S. Postal Service reporting 31 incidents in the city last year.
Missouri was ranked seventh on the U.S. Postal Service’s annual list of states with the highest number of reported dog bites to postal workers.
Last year, the U.S. Postal Service reported that over 5,300 employees were attacked by dogs while delivering mail.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that Pitbulls, Terrier, Rottweiler, German shepherd, Husky, Malamute, Dobermann Pinscher, Chow Chow, Great Dane, and St. Bernard are the most dangerous dog breeds.
Why Do Dogs Bite in Missouri?
If you have suffered serious injuries from a dog attack in Missouri, you might be wondering why it happened. Our experienced dog bite lawyers tried to understand canine instincts and have identified several reasons dogs bite:
- Defensiveness: Dogs may react aggressively when they feel threatened or scared.
- Startle Reflex: A sudden or overwhelming experience can provoke an attack.
- Protective About Belongings: Dogs might become aggressive while protecting food, toys, or their territory.
- Maternal Instinct: Protective behavior is common when a dog is guarding her puppies.
- Health-Related Aggression: Illness or injury can make dogs more prone to aggressive behavior.
- Frustration: Dogs may lash out if they are feeling trapped or irritated.
- Redirected Aggression: If a dog can’t attack the source of its frustration, it may redirect its aggression toward something else.
- Conditioned Aggression: A dog owner who teaches or encourages aggressive behavior in their dogs can create potentially dangerous situations.
- Predatory Instinct: Dogs may exhibit aggressive behavior if they perceive someone as prey or feel their hunting instincts triggered.
Dogs sometimes misinterpret human actions and may become predatory or aggressive. Approximately 350,000 people seek emergency care annually due to dog bites. Understanding these factors can help in preventing Missouri dog bite injuries and creating a safer environment.
What Types of Dog Bite Injuries Can I Recover Compensation for?
Dog bite victims can suffer from mild to traumatic and disfiguring physical injuries. If you have been bitten by a dog, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Doing so can help minimize the severity of your injury, as even healthy dogs can carry harmful bacteria in their mouths that may cause infections.
Missouri dog bite attorneys can help you recover your medical expenses for the following dog bite injuries:
- Lacerations, bruising, and cuts
- Puncture wounds
- Crushing injuries
- Fractures
- Facial injuries (eyes, mouth, nose, and ears)
- Avulsion injuries (muscle, tendon, or ligament tears from bone)
- Infections (tetanus, MRSA, rabies)
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Tissue loss or necrosis
- Finger amputations
In Missouri, there were 338 dog bite insurance claims, averaging a cost of $39,764 per claim. This resulted in a total payout of $13.4 million from home insurance policies.
Deadline to File a Missouri Dog Bite Claim
All states impose time limits, also known as statutes of limitations, within which individuals can file personal injury lawsuits, including dog bite cases. In Missouri, the deadline to file a dog bite case in court is generally 5 years from the date of injury.
Statutes of limitation law in Missouri have certain exceptions. For example, the statute of limitations does not begin until a minor child turns 21 years of age after which they have five years to file their claim. In most cases, your Missouri dog bite attorney will file a claim against the dog owner’s insurance policy and demand a fair settlement.
It is crucial to contact an experienced dog bite lawyer right after the injury occurs. This helps preserve relevant evidence of the case and ensures a timely investigation until the case is resolved.
Does the One-Bite Rule Apply to the State of Missouri?
The “one bite rule” is an old legal concept stating that a dog owner is not responsible for injuries from the dog’s first bite, as the owner wouldn’t have known the dog posed a danger. This rule essentially gives a dog “one free bite” before it’s considered a threat.
However, Missouri dog bite laws have abandoned this rule in favor of strict liability laws for dog bites. Under Missouri’s dog bite law (section 273.036 of the Missouri Revised Statutes), a dog owner (or person in control of the dog) is held accountable if their dog bites someone, regardless of whether the dog had previously bitten anyone or if the dog owner was aware of the pet’s behavior.
The law applies when the bite occurs on public property or private property the person is allowed to be on, and the person who was bitten did not provoke the dog.
How to Prove Liability in a Missouri Dog Bite Case?
A successful Missouri dog bite case must demonstrate liability for the owner of the animal, meaning they are legally responsible for any injuries and damages caused by their dog. To prove liability in a Missouri dog bite claim, the following steps are essential:
Establish the Dog Bite Attack: Firstly, it’s necessary to show that the plaintiff was bitten by the defendant’s dog. Medical records, witness statements, and photographs can help prove the claim.
Prove that the Dog is Aggressive: The injured victim must prove that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior or showed dangerous tendencies before the bite. Evidence such as previous complaints or incidents involving the dog can support this claim.
Link the Injury to the Dog’s Actions: The claimant must establish that the injury was directly caused by the dog’s behavior, such as biting, rather than another unrelated event.
Prove Defendant’s Responsibility: The injured party needs to demonstrate that the defendant was responsible for the dog’s care and control during the incident, whether they owned, kept, trained, or were in charge of the dog at the time.
How Can Missouri Residents File a Dog Bite Claim?
The process of filing a dog bite claim requires the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. If you or your loved one got bitten by a vicious dog, filing a dog bite claim in Missouri includes these steps:
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Work with a lawyer who specializes in dog bite cases. They can guide you through Missouri’s dog bite liability laws and help you negotiate a fair settlement.
Case Investigation
Your lawyer will investigate the attack by gathering evidence such as photos of your injuries, details of the incident, and information about the dog and the owner.
Assessment of Damages
Your attorney will evaluate your damages, including medical bills, disability costs, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and wrongful death if applicable. They will provide an estimate of your potential settlement during a free case evaluation.
File a Claim
After assessing your damages, your Missouri dog bite lawyer will help you file your claim with the dog owner’s insurance company or, if the owner lacks insurance, directly with the owner.
Negotiations
Your attorney will handle negotiations with the insurance company or dog owner to reach a settlement. This may involve presenting evidence of your dog bite injuries and losses and negotiating a fair settlement for your claim.
Litigation
If an out-of-court settlement is not possible, your lawyer may file a lawsuit in civil court to pursue your claim. Your dog bite attorney will represent you throughout the trial, presenting evidence and arguments to achieve a successful verdict.
Consult a Missouri Dog Bite Lawyer Today and Start Your Journey to Justice
If you have suffered dog bite injuries, our Missouri dog bite lawyer is here to help. We understand the losses of dog bite victims, including medical expenses, lost wages, and psychological trauma. As a dog bite victim, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Let us navigate the complex legal process on your behalf and fight for your rights. All personal injury lawyers at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, work on a contingency fee basis. Meaning, our clients don’t pay legal fees until we resolve their dog bite case.
Contact our Missouri dog bite attorneys today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you disclose with our law firm will remain private under an attorney-client relationship.