If your child has been bitten by a dog, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Seeing your child in pain, especially from something so sudden and frightening, leads to a lot of emotions and challenges. Fortunately, Missouri gives protection to people injured by dog bites. If your child has gone through this, it’s important to understand what steps to take and how to protect those rights after the incident occurs. Contact our St. Louis dog bite lawyer to schedule your free consultation and discuss your legal options today.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Missouri
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in Missouri, the first step is to learn how the law works. Missouri uses something called strict liability for dog bite cases. This means the dog’s owner is responsible if their dog bites someone, even if it is the first time and even if the owner never thought the dog was 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.
It does not matter if the owner was careful and took steps to prevent a bite from happening.
Identify the Dog and Its Owner
If a dog bites your child, try to find out which dog was involved and who owns it. Ask for the owner’s name and get their contact information. This is important because the owner is responsible for damages. It’s also critical to determine if the dog was vaccinated for rabies or not. If possible, get a picture of the dog and make a note of where the incident happened.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Always seek medical help after a dog bite, even if the wound seems small. Dog bites can cause infections and serious injuries that are not obvious right away. A doctor will clean the bite and let you know what treatment is needed. They may also advise you about tetanus shots or rabies shots if needed.
Report the Dog Bite
Tell your local animal control or police about the bite. They will record the event and may look into the dog’s history. Filing a report helps make sure your child and other children are protected. It also creates an official record of what happened, which can help with your case.
For a deeper look at trends and risks, you can review our analysis of dog bite cases per neighborhood in St. Louis to see how incidents are distributed across the city.
Document Everything
When dealing with a dog bite case, it is important to keep organized records. Hold onto every document you receive after a medical visit, including bills and treatment notes. Take clear photos of your injuries at different points during your recovery. Write down names and contact information for anyone who saw the bite or can support your story. Save all communication with the dog’s owner and their insurance company, no matter how small or casual it seems.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in St. Louis
Consider speaking with our St. Louis personal injury lawyer at Meyerkord & Kurth who has handled dog bite cases before. A dog bite injury attorney in St. Louis can explain your rights and deal with insurance companies on your behalf. They know how to estimate the costs tied to the injury so you get the compensation you’re entitled to. They are there to make sure your family gets fair treatment as your child recovers.
If your child was bitten by a dog, our firm is here to help. We have decades of experience handling these cases and will take every step to make sure you can focus on healing while still getting appropriate financial compensation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our St. Louis dog bite attorney.