If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, a St. Louis dog bite lawyer can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call us for a free legal consultation with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a St. Louis Dog Bite Incident?
What Are Missouri Dog Bite Laws?
Missouri follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, governed by Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) §273.036. If a dog bites someone without being provoked, the dog’s owner or keeper is responsible for the damages if the person was in a public place or was legally on private property. The dog’s history doesn’t matter. Even if the dog has never acted aggressively before, and the owner did not know it might be dangerous, they are still liable. Because this law only applies to bites, if a dog injures someone but doesn’t bite them (e.g., knocking a person off a bicycle), the injured party could pursue damages under a general negligence claim. Due to the complexities of Missouri dog bite laws, the best way to find out if you have a claim is to discuss your injuries with an experienced lawyer.
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims—including dog bite attacks—gives victims a five-year window from the exact date of the injury to file a dog bite lawsuit.
How Serious Is the Problem?
Statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association show there are 88 million dogs in the United States, and 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Children are often dog bite victims and suffer severe injuries.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Bitten by a Dog in St. Louis?
Here are the steps to take after a dog bite incident:
- Seek medical attention; many dog bites become infected and require more involved medical treatment that can lead to further health complications.
- Identify the dog and its owner. If it is safe, get the owner’s name and contact details, a description of the dog, and its vaccination status. If there are witnesses, collect their information as well.
- Report the bite and file and keep copies of animal control reports. This protects your right to compensation and helps ensure the animal is quarantined if necessary. Contact the City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control or St. Louis County Animal Care & Control.
- Contact our St. Louis dog bite attorneys for a free case evaluation.
Common Injuries Suffered in a St. Louis Dog Attack
Seek treatment following an attack from someone else’s dog. Serious injuries can include puncture wounds, facial injuries leaving permanent scars, lacerations, cuts, broken bones, nerve damage, rabies infection, and emotional trauma.
How Can a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help?
It’s important to know your rights and how to hold a dog’s owner liable. Our experienced dog bite attorneys can gather evidence, negotiate with the aggressive dog owner’s insurance company, and fight for your rights to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Can St. Louis Dog Bite Victims Receive?
In St. Louis, MO, a dog bite accident victim may be entitled to fair compensation for physical injuries as well as pain and suffering. This may include:
- Medical costs for current and future medical care (including medical bills for emergency treatment, hospital visits, reconstructive surgery, and other surgeries)
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering—physical pain and emotional distress like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- And more
How Much Is My St. Louis Dog Bite Claim Worth?
Our Missouri dog bite attorneys value a St. Louis dog bite case, taking into account factors like the severity of the injuries, amount of medical expenses, lost wages, and the amount of insurance coverage available.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, Today
We have a proven track record of helping dog bite victims manage insurance claims to seek compensation they deserve. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Our legal team offers free consultations for victims with animal attack injuries, giving prospective clients a meeting with an experienced dog bite lawyer who will review the case, explain Missouri law, and outline legal options to pursue compensation.
(312) 223-1700