Were you bitten by someone else’s dog in St. Louis, MO? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, scarring, emotional distress, and more. Call Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (314) 932-1066 and recover the financial award you deserve.
Our St. Louis dog bite lawyers have used our two decades of collective experience to secure millions of dollars for injured people. We’re dedicated to fighting for victims’ rights and ensuring that they receive justice.
To discuss your legal options, contact our St. Louis personal injury law firm for a free case assessment. You can receive preliminary advice from a knowledgeable attorney.
How Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Dog Attack in St. Louis, MO
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a dog attack, you deserve to be compensated for your resulting damages. However, it isn’t always easy to assert your rights and receive a fair outcome.
You increase your chances of a full financial recovery by working with Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers can represent you from start to finish, allowing you to focus on healing.
When you hire us to handle your dog bite claim in St. Louis, Missouri, you can expect us to:
- Listen to what happened and explain your rights under Missouri law
- Investigate the incident and gather evidence proving the owner’s liability
- Assess your damages and determine the value of your claim
- Negotiate with at-fault parties or insurers for a fair settlement
- Take the matter to court in St. Louis County, if necessary
Don’t let the dog owner or their insurer unjustly blame you or deny responsibility for your bite injuries. Force them to take your claim seriously by getting our St. Louis personal injury attorneys on your side. Reach out to us today to discuss your dog bite injury case.
How Common Are Dog Bites?
Over 4.5 million dog bites happen in the U.S. annually. Sadly, many victims are younger children. In fact, dog bites have been ranked the eighth leading cause of nonfatal injuries for kids under the age of 15. They result in tens of thousands of visits to the emergency room and hospital stays each year.
Missouri’s Dog Bite Law
Dog bite laws are very state-specific. Some states have a “one-bite rule” requiring a victim to prove that the owner knew or should’ve known of their dog’s vicious nature to be held liable for bites. However, other jurisdictions – like Missouri – do not require a plaintiff to demonstrate this element.
Under Missouri law, dog owners and possessors can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs. That’s true regardless of whether the animal has ever shown aggression or the owner’s knowledge of any viciousness. In these cases, if the dog attacked you without provocation, you can hold the owner responsible for your resulting damages, even if they were in no way negligent.
“Provocation” could include actions such as taunting, hitting, or intentionally scaring the animal.
What Is the Value of My St. Louis Dog Bite Case?
Determining the value of a dog bite claim requires a careful examination of the facts and circumstances involved. Each victim is different, and the extent of their harm will play a vital role in the amount they receive.
Our dog bite attorneys in St. Louis will evaluate the following factors when calculating your damages:
- The severity of your dog bite injuries and the toll the incident has taken on your life
- Your medical bills and any future costs for treatment, surgery, or follow-ups
- Your psychological and physical pain stemming from the attack
- Whether you had to miss time from work and any impact on future earnings
- The parties involved and their available insurance coverage
- Whether you share any fault for the bite and your percentage of blame
- The evidence we’re able to obtain proving liability
It’s crucial to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure that you account for all the losses you’ve suffered. We’re here to help you put an accurate dollar figure on your damages and fight for the maximum recovery available.
What Compensation Is Available to Dog Bite Victims in St. Louis?
As a St. Louis dog bite victim, you may be entitled to compensation for the full range of losses you’ve suffered, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages represent the financial harm resulting from the attack, such as:
- Medical expenses for ER services, hospital stays, treatment, surgery, etc.
- Future medical needs, such as follow-ups
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
Non-economic damages are personal to each victim and account for the trauma and pain experienced, including:
- Mental anguish
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Disability or impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Fear and PTSD
The aftermath of a dog bite or attack can be traumatic. You shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences alone. We can fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve under Missouri state law.
Common Injuries Sustained in Dog Attacks
Dog bite victims can suffer a wide range of harm, depending on how hard they were bitten, the size of the dog, the victim’s age/health, and more.
Some common dog bite injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Lacerations, punctures, and bruises
- Head and brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Facial injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Eye injuries
- Amputations
- Infections
- Emotional injuries, such as PTSD
Whether you sustained minor bruising that is expected to fully heal or catastrophic injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Be sure to seek medical treatment, regardless of the severity of your injury. Dog bites can lead to infections if they aren’t properly evaluated and cared for, which can result in major complications.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for My Missouri Dog Bite Injuries?
In many dog bite claims, the owner or their insurance company blames the victim for contributing to their injuries. For example, they may allege that you were taunting the dog, otherwise provoked it, or were trespassing.
If that happens, you may still be entitled to compensation. Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence rule. If the opposing party can prove that you share some fault for your dog bite injury, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame.
For example, if you’re found to be 20% responsible, your monetary award will be reduced by 20%.
It’s essential to contact an attorney for guidance right away if you’re facing allegations of shared fault. We can ensure that you aren’t assigned more blame than is fair.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in St. Louis?
Most Missouri dog bite attorneys, including those at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. That means you will not owe any money upfront or out-of-pocket to retain legal representation.
Instead, attorney’s fees will be deducted from any court award or settlement obtained on your behalf. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
This arrangement allows you to hire us even if you’re struggling financially due to unexpected costs and losses.
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Missouri?
You typically have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri, including cases involving dog bites. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. However, there are certain exceptions. For example, if you lost a loved one in a fatal dog attack, you generally have three years to file a wrongful death claim. Cases involving minors may also have different rules.
You shouldn’t wait to take legal action. The quicker you start the process of working with a lawyer, the stronger your evidence will be.
Don’t lose your right to compensation because of a procedural error or a weak case. Hire our St. Louis dog bite attorneys to ensure that all deadlines are met and your claim is as strong as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or a family member were bitten by a dog in St. Louis, Missouri, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. However, it’s essential to work with an experienced dog bite lawyer to ensure that you receive an amount that fairly compensates you for your damages.
The legal team at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers will identify the responsible party, gather the evidence needed to prove your claim, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. We won’t let an insurer or anyone else take advantage of you.
Contact our Missouri dog bite lawyers today for a free consultation to learn more. We’re available 24/7.