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St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million Americans are victims of dog bite attacks each year. Every day, over 1,000 people need emergency care to treat injuries related to dog bites.

Missouri, like many other states, has a law that makes dog owners liable if their dogs cause injury. Missouri's law is called a "strict liability" statute because it imposes liability without fault - that is, an injured person does not have to prove that the dog showed any vicious propensities or that the owner had knowledge of such viciousness. If a person in Missouri is on public property or lawfully on private property and is bitten, the owner of the dog is liable. This liability also extends to a person who is not the owner of the dog but who is in possession of the dog when the dog bite occurs. For example, if the owner leaves his dog with a friend while the owner is out of town, the friend can be held liable for injuries from a dog bite that occurs while the dog is in the friend's possession.

To successfully pursue a claim, the injured person will need to show that the dog bite he or she suffered directly resulted in the injuries sustained. While a dog bite can lead to serious physical injury, it can also lead to emotional and psychological scarring. You may be able to recover compensation for a number of economic and non-economic losses, including:

  • Medical Bills
  • Future Medical Bills
  • Lost Wages
  • Permanent Disability
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life
  • Permanent Scarring
  • Wrongful Death

In Missouri, if it is determined that the injured person had fault in the dog bite incident, any damages owed by the owner or possessor of the biting dog will be reduced by the percentage that the injured person's fault contributed to the incident. For example, if a jury found the owner liable in a dog bite incident but placed 50% of the fault on the injured person, the jury's award would be reduced by 50%.

Insurance companies routinely deny injury claims resulting from dog bites on the basis that the injured person was at fault by either provoking the dog or by claiming that the person should not have been in the area where the dog bite occurred. Consequently, it is imperative that an injured person consult with an attorney experienced in dog bite cases. The attorneys at Millikan Wright have successfully pursued dog bite claims in the past and can do the same for you. For example, a recent client posted this review:

"I was very pleased with the entire staff of Millikan Wright. I was involved in an unprovoked pit bull incident, that not only ripped by arm apart but my life. I was completely satisfied and would recommend this law firm highly. Chris was always there, every step of the way and very professional. Highest regards...Pam"

Contact us online or call 314.621.0622 (877.621.0622 Toll Free) to schedule a FREE, no-cost consultation with our dog bite injury law attorneys and find out how the law applies to your specific case.