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Franklin County Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog Bites

Dogs are “man’s best friend” and they often make wonderful family pets. However, there are times when these animals can be unpredictable. Millions of Americans receive treatment for dog bites each year. When someone suffers a dog bite, he or she may pursue financial compensation for the damages suffered in the attack. Injured victims of dog attacks would be well-advised to learn about dog bite laws in Missouri, to research what to do following an attack and to learn about civil claims in order to pursue fair compensation for their injuries.

Missouri Dog Bite Liability Law

Since August 29, 2009, Missouri has imposed strict liability on dog owners for dog attacks. Missouri Revised Statute 273.036.1 states: “The owner or possessor of any dog that bites, without provocation, any person while such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog, is strictly liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s or possessor’s knowledge of such viciousness.”

Missouri dog owner liability means that injured victims may hold owners responsible, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was going to attack anyone or irrespective of whether the dog had attacked anyone else prior to the incident. There are very few exceptions to this statute. One example of an exception is when a burglar or someone who trespasses is bitten by a dog.

What to do Following a Dog Bite

It is important to immediately contact the authorities and to seek medical attention. Dog bite puncture wounds can be extremely painful and require stitches or even surgeries. It is also important that you write down the contact information of anyone who saw that attack as well as the dog’s owner. Do not assume that you will be taken care of by the dog owner or the dog owner’s insurance company. There are many dog bite cases where the dog owner cannot be found. It is also likely that the owner will put up a fight. It is critical that you protect your legal rights.

Pursuing Compensation for a Dog Bite in Franklin County

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a dog, please understand that you have rights. Injured dog bite victims can seek compensation for all medical expenses, hospitalization, medication and rehabilitation. There may be cases where cosmetic surgery is required to repair deep scars. In such cases, it is common for insurance companies to deny payment.

Our experienced Franklin County accident lawyers have helped numerous dog attack victims obtain fair and full compensation for all damages including cost of cosmetic surgery. Negligent dog owners should be held accountable for their pets’ actions. Call our offices today for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Free Consultation:

I always offer free consultations for personal injury cases. You may not need a lawyer to handle your injury case, but you should at least get a free consultation to determine if you do.

Also, if I agree to handle your case, I handle it on a contingent basis. This means you don’t pay a fee unless I win your case.

Call (314) 322-8515 at any time (24 hours a day/7 days a week) to schedule your free consultation. You can also send me an email at john@pagelaw.com.