With an estimated 4.5 million Americans bitten by dogs each year, and more than 800,000 requiring medical attention, someone is victim to a dog bite around every 75 seconds. And at least half of those bitten are children and 26% of all children need to go to the emergency room or see a doctor.
Dog Bites & Attacks Cause Serious Injuries
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 which often require reconstructive or cosmetic surgery and long-term medical treatment.
- Children who are bitten by dogs may experience post-traumatic stress, causing them to live in fear of dogs for years to come, possibly even the rest of their lives.
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The most common injuries include:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Disfigurement
- Puncture wounds
- Rabies
- Scars
- Fracture
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 suffers emotional ramifications and a permanent fear of dogs.
When You Need Legal Expertise
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.
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.
Questions? Our team is here to answer them for you. Contact us at (877) 284-6600.
Missouri Dog bite laws & Liability
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.
That means, when a dog bites someone, its owner is liable for the resulting injuries if:
- The injured person did not provoke the dog
- The injured person was on public property or lawfully on private property, including the dog-owner’s property, and
- The dog bite caused the injury
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
When determining fault in a dog bite case, Missouri employs the comparative negligence rule. That means both the dog’s owner and the person bitten can share the blame.
Legal Expertise in Dog Bites & 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
Schedule A free consultation with Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer at Nash & Franciskato can make all the difference in your case. We will guide you through every step, from gathering evidence and documenting your injuries to negotiating with insurance adjusters and, if necessary, taking your case to court giving you the time to focus on your and your loved ones recovery.
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 at (877) 284-6600 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
You deserve to hold a dog owner or handler responsible for the actions of their pet.
Contact Us for a Free Review of Your Case
Resources for You
- Find blog articles related to Dog Bites
- Missouri Dog Bite Laws
- Missouri Dog Bite Injury Laws & Owner Liability Rules
- Kasas City Dog Bites: The Basics
FAQ
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.
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.