If you or a family member suffered a dog bite due to a negligent owner, you may be entitled to compensation. Dog bites affect more than the physical health of victims and their families; they can also take a substantial toll on their financial stability.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we understand the difficulties a family faces as the result of someone else’s negligence, and we can help you seek accountability and financial rewards. Contact us today at (800) 816-0755 to speak with our legal team about your case.
The Dangers of Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause many different types of illness and injury in victims, some of which can have permanent or fatal consequences. As Healthline notes, victims should have doctors examine even injuries that appear minor. Without proper care and cleaning, the risk of developing a dangerous infection increases.
Infection and Illness
In some cases, dog bites that could have otherwise healed on their own develop bacterial infections. Infected wounds often exhibit uncomfortable symptoms, such as redness and swelling, pus or fluid discharge, pain, and/or fever. Without treatment, these infections can continue to ravage body systems and may even cause systemic illness that can prove fatal.
Victims can also suffer illness when bacteria or viruses from the dog’s saliva enters their wound during the attack. The most dangerous concern, rabies, can lead to serious neurological complications if not treated right away. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other types of diseases dog bite victims can contract include:
- Brucellosis
- Campylobacteriosis
- Capnocytophaga
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Echinococcosis
- Giardiasis
- Leptospirosis
- MRSA
- Various types of worms
If you suffered serious illness or infection as the result of a dog bite, a Missouri dog bite lawyer can help you pursue financial recovery for your damages.
Injury and Death
The impact of a dog’s bite and tearing functionality of their teeth can lead to serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Many dog bites affect children aged 10 and under, who primarily suffer injuries to their faces and necks. Dogs often attack the lower arms, wrists, legs, and groin areas of older children and adults. While rare, fatalities do occur as a direct result of dog bite injuries. MedlinePlus lists some of the common types of dog bite injuries, which include:
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Tissue damage
- Tendon and ligament tears
You should not have to pay for the damages caused by a dog owner’s negligence. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm and a representative from our legal team can discuss your case with you.
Why Dogs Bite
Male and female dogs of every size and breed can bite, and those that attack do so as a response to an unwanted stimulus. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dogs often bite because they feel stressed, scared, sick, or territorial. Dog owners have a responsibility to monitor their dogs’ behavior and keep them a safe distance from others to prevent bites. If an unprovoked dog bite left you with significant injuries, you may qualify to pursue financial recovery for your damages.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 816-0755
Missouri Law Protects Dog Bite Victims
Fortunately, Missouri has clear laws to protect residents from dog bites and hold dog owners accountable in the event that they occur. Missouri Revised Statutes §273.036 states that if a dog bites, without provocation, a person on public property or lawfully on private property, the owner holds full responsibility for the damages caused by their dog regardless of whether or not they had knowledge of the dog’s aggressive nature. The dog owner must also provide compensation for any damage the dog caused to the victim’s property.
A Missouri Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Seek Financial Awards
If the dog bite that caused your injury led to significant damages, you may pursue financial awards from the dog owner through premises liability, a type of personal injury claim in which the victim holds the at-fault party accountable for their failure to protect the victims from an injury that occurred on or as a result of the at-fault party’s property. In the eyes of the law, property includes dogs. Financial awards vary by case, but they may include compensation for:
- Emergency medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other injury-related healthcare costs
- Lost wages for the time you had to take off work to recover
- Loss of earning capacity if your injury restricted your ability to return to work or you lost a loved one who provided you with financial support
- Property damage for personal belongings damaged in the incident
- Pain and suffering for the trauma you experienced as a result of your injury
- Funeral and burial expenses if you lost a loved one as the result of fatal dog bite injuries
Attempting to navigate the legal system on your own may present challenges. A Missouri dog bite lawyer can help you pursue adequate financial recovery.
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Missouri Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Claims
Each state has time limits, also known as statutes of limitations, during which victims and their loved ones can file a lawsuit in a dog bite case. In Missouri, victims generally have up to five years from the date of their injury to seek compensation for their damages, while family members of victims can typically file a wrongful death claim up to three years from the date of their loved one’s passing.
However, lawyers recommend getting started on your claim as soon as possible to ensure that you meet the deadline and avoid missing your window of opportunity to pursue legal action.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries as the result of a dog bite in Missouri, you do not have to manage your case on your own. The attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you file your claim and pursue the financial awards you deserve. Contact us today at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your case with our legal team.
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