Dog bites can end up doing a surprising amount of damage. Beyond the puncture wounds, victims deal with infections, nerve damage, scarring that may require plastic surgery, and, for children especially, trauma that lingers long after the wounds heal. When someone else’s dog causes that kind of harm in O’Fallon, Missouri law holds the owner strictly liable in most cases. An O’Fallon injury lawyer can make sure the compensation you receive reflects the actual harm done. Let our team help. Reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
The Experience and Results Behind Meyerkord & Kurth
A dog bite claim is only as strong as the firm handling it, and results over time tell you a lot about the team you’re working with. Meyerkord & Kurth brings a record that speaks for itself.
- More than $450 million recovered for injured clients
- Over 100 years of combined experience among the firm’s attorneys
- Injury representation in the St. Louis area for more than 40 years
Those numbers come from treating every case like it matters, because we know how important it is for the person dealing with it. Contact our firm for help today.
How an Attorney Can Strengthen Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
The difference between a weak dog bite claim and a strong one usually comes down to evidence and legal representation. Here’s how a lawyer can help:
- Preserving proof early, including photos of the injuries as they heal, animal control reports, and statements from people who saw the attack
- Working with medical providers to document infection risks, nerve damage, and the likelihood of permanent scarring
- Handling every conversation with the insurance company so an offhand comment doesn’t get used to reduce your claim
Strong claims are built piece by piece, and the sooner your lawyer gets started, the better.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Missouri?
Missouri generally gives you five years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, which is longer than many states allow. Certain exceptions can shorten or extend that window depending on the circumstances.
Don’t let the generous deadline create a false sense of security, though. Evidence doesn’t wait five years. Photos need to be taken while injuries are visible, witnesses need to be found while memories are fresh, and animal control records need to be requested while they’re easy to get.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite in Missouri?
Responsibility generally falls on the dog’s owner or possessor. Missouri law imposes liability when a dog bites without provocation and the injured person was lawfully present, whether on public property or private property they had a right to be on. The owner does not need any prior knowledge that their dog was dangerous for strict liability to apply. Depending on the facts, other legal theories can also come into play, such as negligence claims against someone who was handling the dog or a property owner who allowed a dangerous situation to develop.
What if the Dog Has Never Bitten Anyone Before?
A prior bite is not required for statutory strict liability under Missouri law, and the statute doesn’t require proof that the owner knew the dog was vicious. This differs from the “one-bite rule” that some other states have. Under that older approach, owners essentially got a pass on the first bite unless they knew their dog was dangerous.
Speak With an O’Fallon Dog Bite Injury Lawyer About Your Case
Dog bite injuries have a way of costing more than they first appear to, from follow-up treatment and scar revision to time missed at work and anxiety that lingers after the wounds heal. Valuing a claim by the first round of medical bills alone isn’t a good idea. An experienced dog bite injury lawyer in O’Fallon accounts for all of your injuries and losses, including the care you may need down the road. If a dog has injured you or someone in your family, contact our office today.