Missouri Dog Bite Attorney
St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers
Dogs. They bark. They run. They frolic. And, well, unfortunately some bite. Whether it’s an act of viciousness or protection, dog owners are likely liable for any injuries inflicted by their biting canine counterparts—this is likely good news if you or a loved one is the one who’s suffering from a dog bite injury. Missouri and Illinois personal injury lawyers at CofmanTownsley want you to know your rights as the victim of a Missouri or Illinois dog bite so you can get compensation for the injuries and financial setbacks caused by the accident. Take a look at what you need to know.
Is the Owner Responsible?
Three types of laws are used in the United States to determine the liability of dog owners for injuries inflicted by their pets, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
- Dog Bite Statute. The pet owner is responsible for any damage or injury caused by the dog when it has not been provoked.
- One-Bite Rule. The owner is responsible only if he/she knew the pet was likely to bite. Under this law, the victim must prove the owner was aware of the dog’s tendencies.
- Negligence Laws. The pet owner can be held liable if his or her carelessness in handling the dog resulted in the injuries.
However, the laws may vary from state to state, as some states have passed laws that make owners liable for any bite injury. Also, in most states dog owners can’t be held liable for bite injuries inflicted on trespassers.
What Now?
Ideally, after a dog bite incident happens, you should seek medical care for the injuries and report the event to a local animal control agency. The latter step is especially important if the dog that bit you was a stray, as the animal control agency will need to find the dog and pick it up to prevent additional bitings.
After seeking medical care and making the report, be sure to get copies of your records and the written report. These documents will be needed when you talk with an Illinois or Missouri dog bite injury attorney. Other items that may prove helpful in building your claim are photos of the injuries and receipts from medical bills and prescriptions.
In the Future
For the safety of yourself and your loved ones—and to potentially prevent future dog bites—take some time to learn a few precautions.
- Don’t approach dogs you don’t know. If you want to pet a strange dog, ask the owner for permission first.
- Even when you know a dog, be sure to let the animal see and smell you before petting or picking up the dog.
- Don’t run toward or away from dogs; they’ll likely try to chase you, as it’s their instinct to do so.
- As the rate of dog bite injuries is highest for children, particularly those ages 5 to 9, make sure children are always supervised around pets and that the kids follow the above tips.
Get Help - Free Consultation
Our practice areas include the following: auto accident, boat accident, brain injury, drug injuries, defective products, defective medical device, dog bite, drunk driving, lead poisoning, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, slip and fall, social security disability, truck accident, and wrongful death.
Let a Missouri and Illinois personal injury lawyer at CofmanTownsley help you get the compensation you deserve for your dog bite injuries. With offices located conveniently in Illinois and Missouri, our dog bite injury attorneys are here to help you seek retribution for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To get started, simply complete a free consultation form online or call our office at 1-866-483-3618. After we gather the basic information of your claim, one of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to talk about your case in greater detail at your convenience. At this time, you can get all of your questions answered—free of charge—so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to pursue legal action.
CofmanTownsley
319 N. 4th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Toll Free: 1-866-483-3618
Local: (314) 436-1111
Fax: (314) 621-3118
