If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in St. Louis, proving who is responsible can be an important step in recovering medical costs and seeing justice served. Dog bites aren’t minor incidents. They can cause lasting injuries, scars, and even emotional trauma. Many people suffer from infections or have trouble returning to their normal lives. Understanding how to prove your St. Louis dog bite case and what steps to take is essential.
Schedule your free consultation with our dog bite injury lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth to seek compensation today.
Missouri is a Strict Liability State For Dog Bites
Missouri is a strict liability state for dot bites. This means that the law holds dog owners responsible if their dog bites someone, even if the dog never bit anyone before or showed signs of being dangerous.
273.036. Owner liable, when — fine, amount. — 1. The owner or possessor of any dog that bites, without provocation, any person while such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog, is strictly liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s or possessor’s knowledge of such viciousness.
Owners and possessors of dogs shall also be strictly liable for any damage to property or livestock proximately caused by their dogs.
If you get bitten by a dog in Missouri, you do not have to show proof that the owner did something wrong or was negligent. While this sounds fairly easy, there are some other elements you must prove in order to recover compensation from the owner.
You Must Prove You Weren’t On Private Property
If you are hurt by a dog, the place where it happened matters. You’ll have to show that you weren’t trespassing on private property, and that you were allowed to be in the area where you were bitten by the dog. This could mean you were on public property or that you were on private property but were invited.
This could involve showing text messages inviting you to someone’s house, or something as simple as a picture of the public location where the bite took place.
You Must Prove You Didn’t Provoke The Dog
The context surrounding the bite matters as well. If the dog attacked you because you were roughhousing, teasing it, or invaded its space in an aggressive way, Missouri dog bite law may not cover your injuries. showing that you didn’t taunt or harass the animal makes your case stronger and puts the liability on the owner.
Whenever possible, collect any proof showing you were not teasing, hurting, or scaring the dog before it bit you. Maybe someone nearby saw what happened and will confirm you simply walked by or were standing still.
Collect as Much Evidence as Possible
Collecting evidence after being bitten by a dog – if possible – can help you if you decide to take legal action. Here’s what to do right after a dog attack:
- Take clear photos of your injuries and the area where the bite happened.
- Include damaged clothes or personal items – these photos show more than just physical harm. Get the names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the attack. This will allow your lawyer to speak with them and get their statement if it’s needed for your claim.
- Save all medical documents, receipts, and discharge summaries. This will help prove the extent of your injuries and expenses.
- Report the incident to animal control or the police. Filing a report creates an official record outside of just your notes and photos.
- If you miss work because of the bite, ask your boss or HR for proof of missed days and lost wages. Having proof of wages you missed out on is important so you can be reimbursed.
Keep as much evidence as possible so there’s no doubt about what happened.
Seek Legal Counsel with Meyerkord & Kurth
The other important step you need to take is to speak with a lawyer right away, especially if you’re facing serious injuries. They can help you build your case and explain how you can obtain compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Don’t speak with any insurance companies before you talk to legal counsel. Additionally, don’t give too much information to law enforcement either – just explain the facts about what took place so they can create a police report.
If you need help recovering – financially and physically – after a dog bite, Meyerkord & Kurth are always here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis dog bite attorney.