Dog bites are unfortunately common in Missouri, and the aftermath can leave victims with significant physical pain but also financial losses. If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to know that you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Understanding your rights can make a stressful situation more manageable, and having a clear idea of what to expect from a potential legal dog bite injury claim in St. Louis can help you make smart decisions about your next steps. Schedule your free consultation today.
Average Dog Bite Settlement in Missouri
When it comes to dog bite cases in Missouri, there isn’t a set settlement amount that applies to every case. Each case is unique and depends on so many different factors, but typical compensation ranges for dog bite claims in Missouri could look like this:
- Mild injuries: $10,000 to $30,000
- Moderate injuries: $30,000 to $75,000
- Severe injuries (scarring, surgery required): $75,000 to $200,000 or more
Speaking with a St. Louis dog bite injury attorney is the best way to get a realistic estimate and protect your rights after a dog bite.
Factors That Affect Payouts After a Dog Bite
The value of any claim depends on a mix of details about the incident, your injuries, and what the insurance company or court thinks is fair. Some St. Louis neighborhoods see higher rates of serious dog bite incidents, which can also influence settlements. Here are some factors that can raise or lower the potential payout:
Factors That Can Increase a Settlement
Some of the factors that may lead to a larger settlement include:
- Severe Scarring or Disfigurement: Settlements tend to be higher when a dog bite leaves obvious scars, especially on visible areas like the face or hands, which can lead to emotional distress as well as physical pain.
- Attacks Involving Children: Injuries to children may lead to larger payouts since young victims can suffer more serious physical and psychological effects.
- Dog With a History of Aggression: When a dog is known to bite or has a record of past attacks, courts and insurers may award additional damages as a way to hold the owner more heavily responsible.
- Permanent Nerve Damage or Disability: Injuries with permanent effects, like nerve damage, can mean lifelong challenges. Ongoing medical care, daily limitations, and changes in future employment prospects are factors that greatly increase compensation.
- Need for Plastic Surgery: Evidence that you needed plastic surgery, grafting, or long-term rehabilitation makes it clear just how traumatic the situation was. This can lead to higher compensation awards.
Factors That Can Decrease a Settlement
On the other hand, some of the factors that will decrease the compensation you receive include:
- Victim Provoked the Dog: The claim’s value drops dramatically, or can even be lost completely, if the owner can prove that you were teasing the dog or intentionally provoked it to attack.
- Victim Trespassed: If the bite happened because you entered private property without permission, recovery could be significantly reduced under Missouri law, or you could end up with nothing.
- Weak Evidence: Settlements are often much lower if you cannot provide clear documentation, like medical records, photos of injuries, or credible witness accounts, to prove what happened and how badly you were hurt. Missing or unclear evidence makes it far easier for the insurance company to fight or deny your claim.
No matter what the situation is, you should speak with a St. Louis dog bite lawyer about your possible claim for compensation after being bitten by a dog. Our team at Meyerkord & Kurth will help you determine if you have a case and what you could be entitled to. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.