Many dog bites come from dogs owned by neighbors, friends, or family, which makes the decision to pursue a claim feel complicated in a way other injury cases don’t. But the medical bills are real, and Missouri’s strict liability law puts responsibility on the owner when their dog bites someone without provocation. You shouldn’t have to absorb those costs to keep the peace. A St. Peters injury lawyer can handle the claim professionally and take the personal awkwardness out of the process. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
Why Meyerkord & Kurth Stands Out For Dog Bite Claims
Plenty of firms take dog bite cases, but not all of them have the experience and dedication needed to truly get you what you deserve. Meyerkord & Kurth offers clients the following:
- One-on-one attention from your attorney, with quick responses to every call and email
- A close-knit team of four experienced injury lawyers, where your case never gets lost in a caseload
- No win, no fee, which means you pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation for you
Clients shouldn’t have to chase their own law firm for updates. When you work with Meyerkord & Kurth, you never do.
Why Legal Representation Makes a Difference in a Dog Bite Claim
Missouri’s strict liability statute can make it easier for a bite victim to establish liability because prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness is not required, but that doesn’t mean insurance companies will always be cooperative. When you work with a lawyer, it often changes how you’re treated. Here’s how they can help you:
- Countering the standard defenses, like claims that you provoked the dog or were trespassing
- Valuing the claim appropriately and including all losses, not just current bills
- Negotiating with the insurance company and pushing back on tactics they use to try to reduce your claim
Unrepresented claimants tend to be at a disadvantage. Contact a lawyer as soon as you’re ready to learn more about your options.
What Injuries Can a Dog Bite Cause?
Dog bites cause more varied and serious injuries than most people realize. Common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds, which can be deep even when they look small
- Lacerations requiring stitches or surgical repair
- Infection, since dog bites introduce bacteria deep into the tissue
- Nerve damage affecting sensation or movement
- Tendon and muscle injuries
- Facial injuries, which are especially common when children are attacked
- Permanent scarring
- Psychological effects, including lasting fear and anxiety, particularly in children
Some of these injuries aren’t fully clear until some time has passed, which is an important reason not to rush into an early settlement before your recovery is understood.
What if the Dog Owner Says You Provoked the Animal?
This is one of the most common defenses in dog bite cases. Missouri’s statute requires the bite to occur without provocation for strict liability to apply, so owners and insurers may claim the injured person did something to trigger the attack. If the injured person is found partly at fault, damages under the statute are reduced by that percentage rather than eliminated entirely. The dispute usually comes down to evidence about what happened in the moments before the bite, including witness accounts, video footage, animal control reports, and the circumstances of the encounter.
Schedule a Consultation With a St. Peters Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
Missouri gives dog bite victims options to pursue compensation, but a claim still has to be proven, documented, and pursued before the deadline passes. Photos of the injuries, medical records, and witness accounts are all so important, and these should be gathered as soon as possible. Whether your injuries are physical, emotional, or both, you deserve to know what your options are before deciding anything. Reach out to Meyerkord & Kurth’s office for a free consultation, and we’ll walk you through it.