Dog Bites & Attacks

Many different animals attack; the most common being man’s best friend, a dog. An attack from a dog can be a terrifying experience, inflicting serious physical injuries and emotional trauma — especially if the victim is a young child.

Dog Attacks Cause Serious Injuries for Children

Dogs are great companions; they help relieve stress, provide great running and exercise buddies, and a playmate for children.

However, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs each year and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites. At least half of those bitten are children and 26% of all children need to go to the emergency room or see a doctor.

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our attorneys.

Injuries caused by dogs can leave both adults and children with severe injuries, sometimes permanent disabilities and even disfigurement.

Because of their height, children typically suffer facial and neck injuries from a dog attack. These injuries often require reconstructive or cosmetic surgery and long-term medical treatment.

Case results

$80,000 settlement for a 10-year old girl who was bitten in the leg by a neighbor’s dog when walking home. Even though the dog had been restrained on a leash, the attorneys at Nash and Franciskato in Kansas City were able to argue the owners were strictly liable, pursuant to Missouri law. The settlement money helped pay for medical expenses, including a scar revision surgery. The money was also utilized to set up a college fund for the little girl.

Dog bites hand

Dog bites can result in puncture wounds, nerve damage and more.

Dogs can cause many different types of injuries, from puncture wounds to nerve damage, crush injuries, infections and even rabies. But physical trauma is only part of the impact. Oftentimes, the victim, especially if a child, suffers emotional ramifications and a permanent fear of dogs.


Missouri Dog bite laws

Missouri uses what is called a “strict liability” rule when it comes to dog bites. This means that, as long as the victim did not provoke the attack, the dog’s owner is liable if the dog bites a person, even if the owner took reasonable care to restrain the dog or otherwise prevent the attack from occurring.

The strict liability rule in Missouri only applies to injuries caused by dog bites. There are other injuries dogs can inflict simply by jumping on you or knocking you down. For these injuries, your attorney would build a standard negligence case against the owner of the dog showing he or she failed to use reasonable care and, as such, resulted in your injuries.

Case results

$55,000 settlement for a 16-year-old girl who was bitten in the face by a dog at the adoption facilities at a Petco store. The attorneys at Nash & Franciskato were able to prove that the dog had prior propensities to bite. The settlement paid for the medical expenses and for money for college.

There are situations in which others may be liable; for instance:

  • Animal keepers, those responsible for the care and custody of an animal, such as kennels, animal sitter or an animal shelter.
  • Landlords who would have (or should have) known that a tenant owned a dangerous animal may be held liable for animal bite injuries

Resources for You

Questions? Our team is here to answer them for you. Contact us at (877) 284-6600.


Legal Expertise in Dog Attacks

Dog bites can result in long-term medical treatment, including multiple surgeries, rehabilitation and therapy, and plastic surgery. Your legal options may depend on the city in which the attack occurred, so you need an aggressive legal team familiar with the law who will negotiate a settlement ensuring all future medical care is covered.

The Nash & Franciskato Law Firm in Kansas City has handled many serious animal attack cases involving dog bites. Our caring and compassionate lawyers look at all angles in order to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Plus, our personal injury legal team gives you:

  • Over 80 years of combined experience
  • Trusted legal advisor committed to your needs
  • Super Lawyers for over 10 years
  • The AV Preeminence Rating for Ethical Standards & Legal Ability
  • Compassionate advocacy for you and your family

Dog Bite Accident Facts

  • Dogs can bite in 2/10ths of a second. Human reaction time is roughly 3/4ths of a second.
  • Dogs can land roughly 25 bites in 4 to 5 seconds (variables are the size and age of the human versus size and age of the dog, experience or familiarity with the dog in general).
  • In 2018, nearly 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.
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Over half of dog bite injuries occur at home with dogs that are familiar to us.

The truth is, any dog may bite and attack if provoked, but there are certain breeds of dogs that are considered more dangerous than others and may not be suitable for children to be around.

Need Additional Information?


Schedule A free consultation with Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite or other animal attack, find out if you can hold the animal’s owner liable for injuries suffered. Contact our lawyers in Kansas City for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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FAQ

What should I do after a dog or other animal attack occurs?
Q
A

After getting medical treatment, be sure to identify the dog or other animal’s owner. Find out if the animal is up-to-date on its shots, the status of its vaccinations and any other information about the dog, including any prior attacks.

In cases such as these, we highly recommend hiring legal representation to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve.

What if the owner has no insurance?
Q
A

Typically, if the animal’s owner owns a home, he or she will have a homeowner’s insurance policy. Sometimes, however, there might be an exclusion for injuries caused by dogs. If the animal’s owner has no insurance or if this exclusion exists, then your only recourse will be to go after the owner of the dog individually.

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