St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyer
Contact your local St. Louis dog bite lawyer today
Worman Law LLC handles St. Louis dog bite lawyer cases throughout the entire state. Accidents happen. Although the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit in Illinois is two years and five years in Missouri, it is important to contact a dog bite lawyer st louis as soon as possible so witnesses and others involved still have the incident fresh in their minds. Waiting too long reduces the chances you win your case and get the amount of compensation you deserve.
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Whether or not an injury occurred to you or a family member from a dog bite, your first phone call after leaving the scene and notifying the police or animal control should be to a St. Louis dog bite lawyer. Each year, more than 4.5 million people, half of which are children, are bitten by dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds. Although nearly half of these injuries occur on the dog owner’s property, a dog that is provoked can attack and bite anywhere. One in five of those bitten require medical attention.
Children’s injuries are more likely to be severe and occur during everyday activities while interacting with familiar dogs. Severe injuries are most likely to occur in children five to nine years old, and most likely occur to the face (lips, nose and cheeks). The odds of those injuries being fatal are 70% in children. Having a St. Louis dog bite lawyer available to help seek coverage for medical costs may be important.
Teach Children How To Safely Interact With Dogs
Because St. Louis ranks 17th in the United States as a “Pet Friendly City”, it is important to teach your children how to approach dogs in a safe manner when out in places dogs are likely to be, such as parks, the U City Loop, Central West End, or outdoor festivals. Teach children to never approach a dog they do not know without asking the owner for permission. This is because even friendly dogs bite when spooked. It is also important to train children how to play with dogs when you have a dog in the home. Even family dogs will attack if a child plays aggressively with it, such as by pulling on its ears, trying to get on its back, or other dangerous behaviors. No one wants their dog to bite someone, but in cases where this happens, it is important to ensure that insurance can cover medical expenses associated with the bite. This is where having an experienced St. Louis dog bite lawyer can help.
What Can Dog Owners Do?
Dog owners can help prevent dog bites by socializing your dog by exposing your dog to different people, animals, and situations to help them become comfortable and confident in various environments. Until you know how your dog is going to react, it is important to supervise them when they are around other people or animals. Intact animals also have more aggressive tendencies, so spaying and neutering your dog will help reduce the chances of it biting or attacking someone.
Dog Bites Can Be Dangerous
The biggest risk from dog bites is infection, especially in immunocompromised persons, since animal diseases such as aerobic pathogens Pasteurella multocida, which can lead to soft-tissue infections, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis, Staphylococcus aureus, and rabies can be transmitted to humans. Other injuries include but are not limited to skin wounds, such as cuts, scrapes and bruises, torn muscle tissues, damaged nerve tissues, broken bones, scarring and other forms of disfigurement, and loss of a digit or limb. Emotional issues resulting from a dog bite include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares (especially in children), and diminished self-confidence from disfigurement or extensive scarring.
How To Prevent Dog Bites
The best way to prevent dog bites is to be observant of the dog you are approaching. Dogs display signs that they are getting ready to attack, such as growling, baring their teeth, snarling, or snapping, raising the fur on their backs, flattening their ears, or attempting to escape. A dog that should not be approached will also show fearful behavior, such as cowering, trembling, trying to escape. Dogs are more likely to attack if they feel their resources, such as territory, food, toys, or owners are being threatened. The last thing you want to have to do is to call a St. Louis dog bite lawyer.
Using a St. Louis dog bite lawyer can help you get answers to the following questions:
Who Is Liable?
It may not always be the dog owner. Was the dog being walked by a dog walker? Was the dog on someone else’s property that knew the dog was dangerous? A St. Louis dog bite lawyer will make sure the correct person(s) is held accountable.
What if the dog owner’s insurance company refuses to pay?
Some homeowner insurance companies cover dog bites either through personal liability coverage or medical payments coverage. However, some policies have exclusions that may keep them from having to pay you for your injury, such as if the dog has a history of biting, or if the state you live in has classified the breed of dog that attacked as dangerous, such as a Rottweiler, Pit Bull, or Mastiff. A St. Louis dog bite lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you collect all of the money you are entitled to, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you are struggling with collecting, be sure to contact Worman Law LLC.
Does a lawsuit need to be filed?
If the dog owner or insurance company refuses to compensate you appropriately, you need a St. Louis dog bite lawyer to go to bat for you. A Dog bite lawyer knows Missouri and Illinois laws regarding dog bites. Our team will ensure you understand the whole process. Missouri and Illinois laws require the victim of a dog bite be able to prove the following to receive compensation: the injury was caused by a dog, the defendant owns the dog that caused the injuries, the victim did not provoke the dog, and the victim had a legal right to be in the location the attack took place. In Missouri, the victim also has to be able to prove the dog owner knew or should have known the dog was aggressive, and did not take the proper precautions to prevent the dog bite (keep the dog on a leash, in a fenced-in area, etc.). Make sure to keep records of all medical treatments received, details of the event, and any witnesses that can help your dog bite attorney St. Louis win the case for you.
Do you have injuries you need treated? A St. Louis dog bite attorney can help.
If there is a visible bite mark or blood is drawn, contact the local animal control, police or health department immediately to ask for proof that the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. If the dog is not up to date on its vaccines, it may need to be quarantined or euthanized to prevent the spread of disease, especially if the dog has a history of biting other humans or animals. Even if you do not think you have an injury, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately in the event that mild injuries turn out to become more serious and more expensive. A St. Louis dog bite attorney will help you find the right doctors and specialists for your injuries to prevent complications.
What are your rights?
Did you legally have the right to be in the location where the attack occurred (public property or private property with permission)? It is important to know what your rights are, especially when dealing with an insurance company or other parties who are trying to avoid liability. Your St. Louis dog bite attorney will make sure you understand the whole process and tell you what you can and cannot do, such as post about the incident on social media or talk to the dog’s owner.
How do you keep others from getting hurt? Call your local St. Louis dog bite injury lawyer.
When you get attacked by a dog, it is important to send a message to the irresponsible dog owners that they cannot get away with allowing their dogs to attack others. A St. Louis dog bite injury lawyer handles these cases all the time. It only takes one time in the courtroom with a dog bite lawyer for an irresponsible dog owner to start taking responsibility for their dog. This may include training the dog, keeping it on a leash, or taking other steps to ensure the dog does not pose a danger to others. This can help prevent future incidents and make your community a safer place.
Does the dog have a history of biting?
Dogs that have a history of biting are more likely to bite again. If you know a dog has a history of biting or aggression, be cautious. If possible, avoid approaching the dog or getting too close to it. Avoid making eye contact and allow the dog to approach you on its own terms. If the dog still appears to be a threat, keep an eye on the dog while slowly and calmly backing away.
Breeds of dogs that have been documented to bite the most:
The ten breeds that have been documented to bite the most are: Chihuahua, Bulldog, Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Lhasa Apso, Jack Russell Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Bull Terrier, and Pekingese. Although any breed can bite if provoked, these breeds require special care when brought into a home with small children or taken out in public places where they can become spooked or provoked easily.
Choosing A St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney
Although you do not have to file a suit right away, you do need to keep in mind that each state has a statute of limitations on how far back you can file a lawsuit. It may also be several months or even a year or more once you file before your case is heard. You can find your state’s statute of limitations at: www.consumersafety.org/resources/statute-of-limitations/
Hopefully you will never suffer the trauma of being bit by a dog. But if you do, a St. Louis dog bite injury lawyer is there to help you. We will give you a free consultation 24/7, just call (314)695-9529.
Disclaimers:
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Clients are responsible for case costs and expenses, unless they do not prevail (win). Fees are collected before costs and expenses are deducted.