Dog bites hurt and are scary. If you’ve been bitten by a dog or a dog has been bitten someone you love, you may have questions. Who pays for medical bills? What am I entitled to? Now what do I do? Under Missouri law, it’s just this simple: usually, it’s the owner’s fault. A Kansas City dog bite lawyer can guide you through the process and put cash in your pocket.

Missouri Dog Bite Laws are Concise

Missouri has a “strict liability” standard. That is, if the dog bites someone and wasn’t provoked, usually the owner is in the wrong. Whether the dog ever bit anyone before or not makes no difference. Whether the owner ever tried to hold it back or not makes no difference. If the bite was unjustified and in a public place, or on private property where you had a right to be, the owner is probably in the wrong. This law is intended to safeguard people. It’s the owner’s job to make sure someone else is safe. If they don’t, they are held responsible. You don’t need to prove the dog was vicious before the attack anymore. You just need to show the attack wasn’t provoked and you were someplace you were supposed to be. 

What You Should Do After a Dog Bite

  • Seek Medical Care – Nurse the bite at once. Even small bites may become infected. A doctor can debride the wound and check for signs of infection or damage to the nerves.
  • Notify the Bite – Contact animal control or the police station. This monitors dangerous dogs. It also creates a record of the incident.
  • Take Photos – Take a photo of the injury, the dog, and where it happened. Photos speak louder than words and show the harm.
  • Get Contact Info – Find out who the dog belongs to. Get names and phone numbers of all who witnessed the bite happen.
  • Talk to a Lawyer – You may be able to get money for your injury. A lawyer can help. They can inform you of what your rights are and what you should do next.

What You Might Be Compensated For

  • Doctor bills
  • Emergency room charges
  • Physical therapy
  • Lost wages due to work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Scars or permanent disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Medicine and equipment
  • Transportation to doctor appointments

The figure is based on your injuries, lost time at work, and emotional distress. Every case is different.

Why Hire a Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney?

Dealing with a dog bite is hard enough. Insurance companies won’t pay much. Let them handle them for you. They are legally trained. They know how much your claim is worth. They fight to get you as much money as they can. Your lawyer will gather facts. They’ll meet with witnesses. They’ll do paper and deadlines. Most lawyers only get paid if you win, so there’s no risk to you.

Lawyers also defend your rights. They keep you from missing deadlines. They know how to handle it if the dog owner contests what happened. You don’t need to do this alone.

Dog Bites Can Be Serious

Dog bites are not scratches. They might have extremely deep injuries, they might crush nerves, or they might get infected. Children are particularly vulnerable. They’re bitten in the face, the neck. Scars endure. Some have to be operated on. Others won’t play outside or around dogs anymore.

Bites can also cause muscle tears or broken bones. Then, infections like rabies or tetanus could set in. If the dog was not vaccinated, you may need further attention. A dog attack victim’s life changes in seconds. It is not just the bite. It is what follows. The cost, the agony, and the fear can last for years.

Missouri’s Statute of Limitations

You have five years from your injury to file a claim. It sounds like a lot of time, but the sooner you do it, the stronger your case will be. Memories fade. Proof is lost. Don’t wait. If you are tardy, you can lose your right to any money whatsoever. An attorney will help you meet every deadline and file everything on time.

What If the Dog Was Your Friend’s Dog or a Family Member’s?

This is not unusual. Some bites occur in someone’s home. You might not wish to sue someone you know. But sometimes, it’s not them writing the check – it’s their insurance company. You still need to see about taking care of yourself. You’re not suing your friend. You’re asking their insurance to reimburse you. That’s what they pay for. You can be reasonable and still get help.

Can You Sue If You Were Bitten on the Job?

Yes. If you get bitten by a dog while you’re working, for example, delivering mail or packages, you may have a workers’ compensation case. You may also be able to sue the dog’s owner. Your lawyer can tell you what makes sense. Some work is riskier than other work. That work is for delivery drivers, meter readers, and landscapers. If you did work, you might get more than one way of getting paid.

Safety Tips Near Dogs

  • Never go near an unknown dog.
  • Do not attempt to run from a dog.
  • Allow a dog to smell your hand first before petting it.
  • Do not wake up a sleeping dog or one that is eating.
  • Instruct children against hugging and riding dogs.
  • Watch the body language of the dog.
  • Take a step back if a dog shows its teeth or growls.

These are bite prevention techniques. If a bite does happen, however, it isn’t your fault. The owner is still responsible.

A Real Case Example (Without Names)

A woman was jogging through one of the neighborhoods in Kansas City. A loose canine ran out of a yard and bit her on the leg. She had to get stitches and could not work for weeks. The dog owner explained that the gate was broken. Her lawyer noted that the gate was broken for months. She was paid for her medical bills, lost pay, and pain. In the second case, a boy was bitten on the arm when playing at a friend’s residence. The dog never bit anyone before. The parents feared suing. But their lawyer helped them to make a claim with the insurance of the friend. The boy had his injury treated and counseling for fear of dogs.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

The law is on your side. You are entitled. An attorney who handles Kansas City personal injury can help you assert them. They can counsel you, represent you, and fight for you.

Even if you’re unsure you have a claim, it will not hurt to ask. Most lawyers offer free consultations. No obligation. Just facts. You’ve suffered too much already. Allow someone else to handle the worry. A call today can be peace tomorrow.

FAQs

1. Do I have to go to court for a dog bite case?

Not necessarily. Most settle without appearing in court. Your lawyer will tell you.

2. What if I was partly to blame?

Missouri has a “comparative fault” rule. You can still get money, but less.

3. What if the dog has never been involved in an aggressive act?

That doesn’t matter in Missouri. The owner is still responsible under the law.

4. If I did not get immediate medical care?

You can still bring an action. But get treated as quick as possible and save your records.

5. Can I sue if a dog scared me but did not bite me?

Maybe. If you were hurt attempting to flee, such as running or falling, you might have a claim.

If you were hurt by a dog in Missouri, don’t wait. 

Talk to a Kansas City personal injury lawyer today. The call is free. The advice may change your life.