St. Louis Dog Bite Victim Lawyers
Legal Rights of Dog Bite Victims
Dogs can be wonderful pets and provide years of fun and companionship. Unfortunately, dogs can also be a liability for their owners, particularly dogs who are prone to aggression. When a dog attacks and bites a person, the victim has a right to be compensated for their injuries. To receive compensation for injuries, the bite victim has to file a dog bite claim or lawsuit. Dog bite lawsuits are civil cases and they are handled by personal injury attorneys.
While some states follow a "one bite" law, some states will award compensation to victims if the dog owner's negligence contributed to the attack. In addition, Missouri law strictly protects the rights of all dog bite victims and places the burden on the dog owner. A MO dog bite victim injury attorney can help you determine what your legal rights are after a dog bite and whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Injuries from a dog attack can be severe and can cause permanent pain and disabilities. Large dogs can remove large portions of muscle and tissue, causing a victim to undergo painful surgeries and even skin grafts in an attempt to recover. Scarring is also common after a dog bite and victims may need to seek the services of a specialized plastic surgeon following an attack. When this occurs, you may find yourself struggling to pay medical bills, resume work or even enjoy life to the fullest. A Missouri dog bite attorney can help you navigate the dog bite tort law. Your lawyer will also help you recover damages and help you get your life back on track.
Missouri used to follow a One Bite Law, which meant that a victim could only sue if the dog had a history of biting. The burden was on the victim to prove that the dog was a danger and the owner was already aware of the danger. Recent changes in Missouri law (Missouri statute 273.036) has placed the burden on the dog owner himself.
Under the new MO law, anyone who has been bitten by a dog can seek financial compensation for their injuries. As long as the victim did not provoke the attack in any way, the owner is now liable for any and all injuries. Victims of a dog bite can seek financial compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, pain, psychological or emotional trauma and future disabilities.
At Page Law, our attorneys have an extensive knowledge of Missouri's dog bite statute (273.036) and we aggressively pursue the maximum compensation for all of our clients. We know how traumatic a dog bite can be. Contact us immediately for a free consultation. You will never pay any fees unless we recover money for you. Please call 314.488.2433 for an immediate response from John Page or contact John online at john@thepagefirm.com.
