Dogs are usually friendly, but a bite can cause serious problems for the victim. If a dog has bitten you, the person responsible should pay for your injuries. Kevin McManus Law is ready to seek damages for you and help put the accident behind you.
Our Kansas City personal injury lawyers have 60+ years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We understand how hard this time can be and will guide you through every step as you seek treatment and recovery.
We will determine who should cover your medical bills, lost income, and other costs. Call us today for a free, private consultation to learn how our Kansas City dog bite lawyers can help.
How Our Kansas City Dog Bite Injury Lawyers Can Help You
After a dog bite injury, you will need time to heal, but treating your injury can make it hard to pursue damages for your losses. Our lawyers will advocate for your maximum recovery and manage the legal process while you focus on healing.
When you become our client, you will get our full attention and personalized legal care tailored to your case. We will lead your case at no upfront charge. Under our contingency fee agreement, you pay us only if we win your case.
This arrangement allows us to start on your case right away without you worrying about paying legal costs. When we represent you, we will:
- Investigate the incident: We will review what happened before the dog bite, including whether any local laws were broken. We can also determine who else you can hold accountable in addition to the dog’s owner.
- Collect evidence: We will collect evidence like medical records, witness testimony, video footage, and photos of your injuries. Animal control reports, veterinary records, and previous complaints or incidents can also support your case.
- Assess your injuries and losses: We will account for all damages suffered and determine how much compensation to seek.
- Communicate with the insurer: Talks with insurance companies can be challenging, as they could try to reduce or dismiss your claim. We can work with them and guard against you accepting an offer that does not meet your needs.
- File your insurance claim: We will keep your case moving forward, ensuring we fill out the paperwork correctly and submit it on time.
- Negotiate a fair settlement: We can negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company to get you the financial recovery that covers your losses.
- Take your case to court (if needed): If we cannot settle your case with the insurance company, we can seek your financial award at trial.
We will handle your insurance claim or lawsuit from start to finish. Call us for legal advice about your situation during a free consultation. You can meet our personal injury attorneys and legal team and learn more about how we can work to resolve your case.
Get the compensation you deserve with trusted legal guidance.
Missouri Laws and the Challenges of Dog Bite Injury Cases
Missouri has a strict liability law regarding dog bites. This law means a dog owner can be held responsible if their dog bites someone, even if the dog has no history of aggression.
While this law seems straightforward, dog bite cases still come with unique challenges:
- Proving liability: Even though Missouri law holds owners responsible, the evidence must prove the dog caused your injuries. This could include any history of previous incidents with the dog.
- Insurance company disputes: Insurance companies may try to minimize your injuries or blame you for the attack, saying you provoked the dog or were trespassing. We can challenge these claims and work to get you fair compensation.
- Assessing long-term effects: Dog bites can cause not only immediate injuries but also long-term effects, like scarring or emotional trauma. Calculating these future outcomes is essential, but it’s essential to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
Our Kansas City dog bite attorneys will address these challenges and protect your rights. We will explain how the law affects your case’s outcome as well as any developments that occur.
We Will Seek All Recoverable Losses Related to Your Injury
After a dog bite, you might face a lot of costs and challenges. We are here to help you recover all the losses you’ve suffered because of the injury. Before we can move forward, we must assess each loss and determine its financial value.
This includes damages with no fixed cost, like pain and suffering. We will also consider the severity of your injuries, how long the healing period can take, and how your injuries could affect you in the long term.
We can work to recover:
- Medical expenses: This includes doctor visits, emergency care, surgeries, medication, and any other medical treatment related to the dog bite.
- Lost income: If your injury made you miss work, we will seek compensation for the income you couldn’t earn during your recovery.
- Pain and suffering: Dog bites cause physical pain and emotional distress. We will pursue damages for how the injury affected you mentally and physically.
- Scarring and disfigurement: If the bite leaves permanent scars or affects your appearance, we will seek compensation for the lasting effects of your injuries.
- Future medical needs: In some cases, you may need ongoing treatment, like physical therapy or additional surgeries. We’ll make sure to account for any future medical care you might need.
Available Damages in Fatal Dog Bite Injury Cases
If a loved one dies from a dog bite injury, the family may be able to recover damages through a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages can include:
- Funeral and burial Costs: The expenses related to laying your loved one to rest.
- Final medical expenses: Costs for the medical care your loved one received.
- Loss of monetary support: Compensation for the income and benefits your loved one would have contributed to the family.
- Loss of companionship: Damages for the emotional loss of a loved one’s guidance, care, and companionship.
Our Kansas City wrongful death lawyers will offer emotional support to guide you during this difficult time. We will manage your legal case while you take care of your loved one and family. We can advise you further during a free consultation.
Who Can You Hold Responsible for Your Dog Bite Injury?
In a dog bite injury case, the most apparent person to hold responsible is usually the dog’s owner. The owner is typically the primary person responsible for controlling the animal.
In Missouri, dog owners are responsible if their animals bite someone, even if the animals had no history of aggression or the owners weren’t aware the dog could be dangerous.
However, other parties can also bear responsibility in dog bite cases, depending on the situation. These include:
- Landlord: A landlord might be responsible if they knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous but didn’t warn others or take action to prevent harm.
- Property owner: If a dog bite happens on someone else’s property, the owner could be liable if they allowed a dangerous dog on the property without protecting visitors.
- Dog walker or caregiver: If someone else, like a dog walker or pet sitter, was caring for the dog and didn’t handle it properly, they could be held responsible.
- Animal shelter or rescue group: If a shelter or rescue group adopted out a dog with a history of aggression and didn’t warn you, they may share liability.
- Business owners: If a dog bite happens at a business, like a pet store or kennel, the owner could be responsible if they failed to ensure safety or allowed a dangerous dog on the premises.
Our dog bite injury lawyers in Kansas City will identify all parties from which you can pursue compensation and seek the appropriate award from each.
We’ll help you appeal and secure your rightful benefits.
Get Medical Treatment Right Away and Report the Bite Promptly
If a dog bites you, get medical treatment as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Dog bites can cause infections, nerve damage, or other complications that may not be visible right away.
A doctor can properly clean the wound, provide necessary treatments, and check for any signs of infection or other serious issues. Getting immediate medical care also helps link your injuries to the dog bite incident.
This documentation from a healthcare provider can serve as evidence, showing that the bite caused your injuries and that you sought treatment promptly.
Other Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Incident
In addition to getting medical care, you can take other steps after a dog bite to protect your health and your potential claim:
- Report the bite: Contact local animal control or law enforcement to report the dog bite. This creates an official record of the incident, which may be useful for your case.
- Gather information: Try to get the dog owner’s contact information and any details about the dog, such as vaccination records or prior incidents of aggression.
- Take photos: If possible, take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the location where the bite occurred. These can serve as valuable evidence.
- Speak to witnesses: If anyone saw the attack, get their contact information, as their testimony could support your case.
Time Limits Apply in Missouri Personal Injury Cases – Act Soon
Missouri has specific time limits, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury or wrongful death case. Under Missouri law, you generally have five years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury claim, per Revised Statutes of Missouri § 516.120.
For wrongful death cases, which may apply if a dog bite leads to a fatality, the time limit is three years, per Missouri Revised Statutes § 537.100. If you miss these deadlines, you risk losing your opportunity to seek compensation, so take legal action as soon as possible.
Call now for a free consultation.
Call Us Today for Help From Our Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyers
The Kansas City dog bite lawyers at Kevin McManus Law can pursue compensation for your dog bite injury. With decades of experience and millions recovered for our clients, we know how to fight for your rights and hold the negligent party responsible for your losses.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps toward getting justice for you or your loved one.
