Dog Bite Incidents
Dog Bite Accident & Injury Law Firm in Missouri
Every year in the U.S., 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs [1]. Nearly 20% require medical attention [2]. Children are especially vulnerable. Kids between the ages of 5 and 9 receive more dog bites than any other group [3]. But adults are at risk, too. In fact, many dog bite injuries to adults happen on the job [4].
The medical cost of treating dog bites can be very high. Injuries can include:
- Facial injuries
- Cuts, punctures and abrasions
- Infection
- Scarring
- Bone fractures
- Emotional Distress
- Psychological Damage
- Blindness
Things You Should Know
- There is no such thing as the “one free bite rule” in either Missouri or Illinois. No matter what anybody else tells you, pets do not get “one free bite” before their owners are held responsible. This is true in both Missouri [5] and Illinois [6].
- Pet owners must keep their animals properly secured and under control. If you were injured by somebody else’s pet on public property or while lawfully on private property, the owner may be held responsible.
- Leash laws matter. If the dog was unleashed and you were in a city with a leash law, there is usually a presumption that the owner was negligent.
- It isn’t just dogs. ALL pets must be under control. This includes cats, horses, reptiles, rodents, birds and exotic pets.
- It isn’t just the dog owner. Other people, such as landlords, may also be responsible for injuries caused by an animal on their property.
- If you are bitten on the job, you may also have a worker’s compensation claim. Our lawyers can analyze whether your injuries should be compensated by the dog owner, property owner and/or your employer.
- The insurance company is not your friend. The insurance company has only one goal– to close your case by paying you as little as possible (or nothing at all.)
- The insurance company already has an experienced lawyer; you should, too. Insurance company lawyers have years of knowledge and experience, investigators and almost limitless resources. Who do you have?
- You don’t have forever. Time limits, called “statutes of limitations,” only give you a certain amount of time to pursue your case. If you wait too long, your case is over, forever.
Contact the Attorneys of Brown & Crouppen
If you or one of your family members has suffered a recent dog bite injury, please call Brown & Crouppen injury attorneys in St Louis toll free at 800-536-4357 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online contact form.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/dog-bites/biteprevention.html
[2] http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/dog-bites/biteprevention.html
[3] http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/dog-bites/biteprevention.html
[4] http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5226a1.htm
[5] http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C200-299/2730000036.HTM
[6] http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41
Contact the Attorneys of Brown & Crouppen
Call us toll free at 800-536-4357. Or contact us online. Either way, the consultation is free. An experienced lawyer from Brown & Crouppen will promptly contact you and give you the help you need.
