A dog attack happens fast, but the aftermath can stretch on for months, and include infection risks, scarring, and sometimes a lasting fear of dogs that changes how you operate on a day-to-day basis. Missouri law is stricter on dog owners than many people realize, and in most cases you don’t have to prove the dog had ever bitten anyone before.
What you do need is someone who knows how to document the attack and deal with the homeowner’s insurance company, and possibly a lawsuit if it comes to that. Fortunately, our team is here to help. Contact our St. Charles injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
What Makes Meyerkord & Kurth a Strong Choice for Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite cases can look simple and become complicated quickly. Meyerkord & Kurth pairs a small-firm approach with the resources these cases sometimes demand.
- Personalized representation from a close-knit firm, with direct access to the medical and legal experts complex cases require
- More than four decades serving injured people in the St. Louis region
- No fees unless your case is won, and no cost to find out where you stand
The right firm makes a stressful process manageable and a fair outcome more likely. Call today to see what that looks like for your case.
What a Lawyer Can Do After a Serious Dog Bite in St. Charles
After a serious bite, most people are focused on wound care and doctor visits, not on building a legal claim. A lawyer takes on that second part so that you don’t miss out on what you deserve. They can help by:
- Investigating the attack, including identifying the dog and its owner, interviewing witnesses, and checking whether the dog has bitten anyone before
- Locating the insurance coverage that applies, usually a homeowner’s or renter’s policy, and filing the claim correctly
- Documenting the full extent of your injuries, from the initial wounds to infection treatment, scarring, and any counseling needed afterward
The steps taken in the first weeks often decide how the claim ends. A lawyer makes sure that the right work actually gets done.
Does Missouri Hold Dog Owners Strictly Liable for Bites?
Yes, in most cases. Missouri Revised Statutes § 273.036 generally imposes strict liability on dog owners when two conditions are met:
- The dog bit without provocation
- The injured person was on public property or lawfully on private property
What makes this law so favorable to victims is that the injured person does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that it had ever bitten anyone before. If the injured party is partially to blame for the bite, their damages may be reduced.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?
Compensation in a dog bite case should cover everything the attack has cost you, both immediately and over time. Depending on your injuries, that can include:
- Emergency treatment after the attack
- Surgery, including reconstructive procedures
- Infection treatment, which bites commonly require
- Scar revision procedures down the road
- Lost wages from missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including anxiety and fear following the attack
- Future medical care your recovery will require
Working with a lawyer is the best way to make sure your claim accounts for all of your losses and everything else you’re entitled to.
Get Help From a St. Charles Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
Dog bite claims in St. Charles are usually paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, which means you’re typically not suing a neighbor out of their own pocket. You’re filing a claim against a policy that exists for this situation. Even so, insurers routinely downplay bite injuries, especially scarring and emotional harm.
Having a lawyer present the full picture of what the attack cost you changes how these claims get valued. Call Meyerkord & Kurth’s office today to discuss what happened and what your case may be worth.