Skilled Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyers Hold Owners Accountable

MISSOURI DOG BITE LAWS TO KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN HARMED BY AN ANIMAL ATTACK

Dog may be man’s best friend but, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the proverbial friend gets bitten about 4.7 million times a year in the United States alone. The overwhelming majority of these bites require little to no treatment, but a serious bite from a large dog can cause excruciating pain, lasting harm and even death. In fact, dog bites caused 39 deaths in the U.S. in 2017. The insurance industry pays out more than $500 million annually for dog bite claims. If you’ve been harmed in a dog attack in Missouri, Barnes Law Firm LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve.

STRICT LIABILITY FOR DOG BITES IN MISSOURI

Many states allow a dog “one free bite,” so that an owner is not liable for a bite unless the dog has a history of viciousness, and even then, the victim might have to prove the owner was negligent in handling the dog. Fortunately for victims, Missouri law is more stringent. An owner is strictly liable for a dog bite if the victim was on public property or lawfully on private property and did not provoke the dog. This means that in Missouri, the victim does not have to prove the owner was negligent in failing to restrain the dog or anticipate an attack. The owner must pay compensation for the victim’s medical bills, other economic losses, and pain and suffering. The owner may also be liable for a $1,000 fine. In fact, if the dog has bitten anyone previously, the owner may face criminal charges.

NEGLIGENT DOG OWNERS MAY BE LIABLE FOR NON-BITE HARM

Dogs don’t have to bite to cause injury. A large dog can inflict a great deal of harm by jumping up and knocking a person down, especially if the victim is elderly. In such a case, the Missouri dog bite statute does not impose strict liability. The victim must prove the owner was negligent in allowing the dog to cause harm.

SERIOUS INJURIES FOR DOG ATTACK VICTIMS IN KANSAS CITY, MO

At Barnes Law Firm LLC , our personal injury attorneys have represented numerous dog bite victims in the greater Kansas City area and we have seen a variety of serious injuries. We are prepared to fight aggressively to recover full and fair compensation for your injuries, including:

• Lacerations and punctures
• Crushed bones
• Nerve damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Shock due to blood loss
• Psychological trauma, such as night terrors

When you retain our services, you get an experienced legal team committed to delivering the best results possible.

Contact an aggressive Kansas City personal injury lawyer for a free consultation

The Barnes Law Firm LLC advocates for Missouri and Kansas clients who have suffered a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence. Please call 816-221-4321 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our office is located in Kansas City, Missouri.