Dog Attack Lawyers

Investigation after an Attack

A dog attack can be an extremely traumatic experience. The dog bite victim is often left with serious physical injuries, permanent scaring, emotional trauma, and pain. When an injury victim suffers from these types of harm after a bite, it is important to contact a dog bite victim injury lawyer.

Missouri dog bite liability changed in 2009. Some lawyers used to call MO a "one bite state." The dog bite tort law in MO used to require the personal injury victim show the dog had vicious propensities and that the owner of the dog knew of the propensities. A few examples of vicious propensities in dog bite lawsuits would be, prior bites, severe aggressiveness, etc. A dog bite compensation attorney will be able to help you determine if there is insurance that may provide financial compensation to cover the bite. It is typical for the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance to step up and cover the damages caused by the dog. Often times, dog bite cases can be resolved without the need to file a lawsuit. Skillful negotiations can usually get the case resolved.

Since the state of Missouri is no longer a "one bite law" state, any dog bite victim can seek compensation for their injuries without proving the dog had known aggressive or dangerous propensities. It is important to note that, dog owners are probably not going to be held if the dog bite victim was trespassing or if the victim provoked the attack in any way. A dog bite compensation lawyer will need to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack to help you determine if the dog was provoked prior to the attack.

Dog bite liability often turns on the investigation that was done soon after the bite. It is crucial to investigate the facts surrounding the dog attack, the dog bite injury itself and the dog owner. Experienced Missouri dog bite attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts. The lawyers at our firm always:

  1. Obtain the police report;
  2. Obtain the animal control report;
  3. Take recorded statements from the dog owner and anyone that witnessed the animal attack; and
  4. Interview neighbors that lived near the dog.

This investigation needs to be done as soon as possible. The more time that goes by, the more witness’ memories fade, scenes change, and vegetation grows or is cut back.

In sum, if you have been involved in a dog attack and have sustained a dog bite injury, it is important to contact a Missouri dog bite attorney who is experienced in investigating dog bite injury cases.

In addition to investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, your attorney will investigate the dog owner to determine if his negligence contributed to the dog attack. In many situations, an aggressive dog that bites others can often be traced back to an owner that has been negligent. Proving that the dog owner was negligent will help solidify your case and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.

If you or someone you love was the victim of a dog bite in Missouri, it is important to contact a dog bite attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. Hiring an attorney does not automatically mean you have to file a lawsuit. The lawyer will make sure your interests are protected and the proper investigation is being done. They will then help make sure you receive the money you need to take care of your injuries, and damages. Having an attorney on your side will allow you to focus on your recovery without wondering if the insurance company is taking advantage of you.

At Page Law, our dog bite lawyers are skilled at handling traumatic dog bite claims. Our Firm works aggressively to obtain the maximum compensation for all of our dog bite victims and their families. We help real people ----with real problems. Contact us immediately for a free consultation. You will never pay any fees unless we recover money for you. Please call 314.322.8515 for an immediate response from John Page or contact John online at john@thepagefirm.com.