Have you or a close loved one been bitten by a dog in Richmond Heights, Missouri? Do not hesitate to contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers. You may have the right to take legal action and hold the dog’s owner responsible for the costs of your medical care, lost income, and other bite-related damages. Our Richmond Heights dog bite lawyers can help you maximize your recovery.
Since 2002, Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers has been a trusted advocate for dog bite victims and families in Richmond Heights and surrounding communities in St. Louis County. As leaders in personal injury litigation with over 30 years of experience, we’ve proven that we can make a positive impact in the lives of the people and families we represent.
Our law firm has won over $70 million in damages, including some of the top verdicts and settlements in the state of Missouri.
Today, we’re ready to help you fight for the best result in your dog bite injury case. Contact our Richmond Heights, MO law firm AT (314) 207-4399 to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Bitten By a Dog in Richmond Heights, MO
Dog bites can be catastrophic. They can cause permanent injuries and inflict debilitating emotional distress. While you know that you have the right to pursue compensation, you may not have the time or energy to take on a fiercely contested legal fight.
That’s where our Richmond Heights personal injury attorneys can help.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve dedicated our legal careers to helping injury victims take action after catastrophic accidents have turned their worlds upside-down. For more than two decades, we’ve taken on tough cases and gone up against the most powerful defendants in the state – winning big results for our clients in the process.
Count on us to:
- Handle all aspects of your dog bite injury claim while keeping you in the loop every step of the way
- Thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your case
- Interview friends and family of the dog’s owner to determine if the dog has a history of aggression
- Gather evidence needed to build a strong legal claim for damages
- Bring in dog behaviorists, medical professionals, forensic specialists, and other experts to provide guidance as we calculate what your dog bite injury case might be worth
- Represent you during all negotiations with the dog’s owner, their insurance company, and/or other parties
- Provide guidance and support when it’s time for you to decide whether or not to accept a settlement offer
- Argue your case passionately before a St. Louis County, MO jury, if necessary
Our law firm represents dog bite victims in Richmond Heights on a contingency fee basis. Benefit from our award-winning legal representation for no out-of-pocket cost. You only pay if we win your dog bite case.
Learn more and schedule a free case assessment by calling our Richmond Heights law office today.
Are Dog Bites Common in Missouri?
Every year, an estimated 4.5 million people across the country are bitten or attacked by dogs. Roughly 800,000 require medical treatment because of the severity of their dog bite injuries.
Most of these victims are young children. In fact, kids account for about half of all recorded dog bite injuries.
Research suggests that Missouri leads the nation in dog bites and animal attacks. In 2016, insurance companies received over 2,700 reports of dog bites in the Show-Me State.
That’s about seven dog bites every single day.
Does Missouri Have a One-Bite Rule?
A one-bite rule says that a dog’s owner isn’t immediately on the hook for dog bite injuries the first time their animal attacks someone.
Essentially, the dog’s first bite is free.
Missouri used to have a one-bite rule. Today, it’s a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites.
Strict liability means that a dog’s owner is automatically liable for injuries when their dog attacks someone without provocation. The dog’s history of aggression is not a factor, nor are efforts made by the owner to prevent the dog from biting.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Richmond Heights, Missouri?
If you’re bitten by a dog in Richmond Heights, Missouri, you reserve the right to take legal action against the dog’s owner.
In your lawsuit, you will have the burden of proving:
- You were bitten by a dog owned by the defendant;
- You did not provoke the dog; and
- You were lawfully on the premises at the time of the attack.
You’ll also need to establish that you’ve suffered damages because of the dog bite. This might include medical expenses related to treatment or lost wages you’ve suffered due to an inability to work while you recover.
Understanding Liability For Dog Bites in Richmond Heights
Dog owners aren’t the only ones who can be legally responsible for dog bites in Richmond Heights. Dog bites can also be a matter of premises liability. In these situations, a property owner can potentially be responsible for a dog bite if they knew or should have known that a vicious dog was on the premises and posed a threat to invited guests or visitors.
That’s because property owners in Missouri have a duty to provide a safe environment for visitors. If there’s a reasonable threat of harm, the owner has a legal responsibility to take steps to protect or warn guests. Failing to do this can be considered negligence and result in liability for a dog bite.
In a premises liability-based dog bite action, you might have a legitimate claim against a Richmond Heights:
- Restaurant
- Landlord
- Business
- Dog walker
- Groomer
- Hotel
You can potentially sue the dog’s owner and a negligent property owner if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Our dog bite attorneys in Richmond Heights can help you explore all of your options and pursue compensation from anyone who might be liable.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
No matter the breed, dogs have the ability to inflict serious, debilitating injuries. Their jaws are powerful and can do considerable damage, especially when the victim is a young child or older adult.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you seek compensation for all of your dog bite injuries, including:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Soft tissue injury
- Amputation
- Degloving injury
- Eye injury
- Broken bones
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Infection and disease
- Crushing injury
- Catastrophic injury
- Wrongful death of a family member
Do not delay seeking medical attention if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Prompt care can reduce the risk of complications, identify potential infections or diseases, and ensure that you’re put on the best course of treatment. Your visit will also help to document the trauma and establish a causal link between the bite and your injuries, which will be critical if you file a legal claim in the future.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Missouri Dog Bite Injury Claim?
As a dog bite victim in Richmond Heights, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover compensatory damages.
Compensatory damages include money for financial losses (economic damages) and harder-to-value pain and suffering (non-economic damages), such as:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Prosthetics
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Lost income
- Disability
- Funeral expenses
- Chronic physical pain
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Embarrassment
Expect the dog’s owner and other parties to downplay the seriousness of your injuries and the ways in which the attack has affected your life. Trust that our dog bite lawyers in Richmond Heights will be there to fight for your rights every step of the way.
We’ll bring in experts and specialists to consult throughout the case, including when we sit down to identify your damages and determine what your case is likely worth. We’ll invest whatever time and resources are necessary to build a strong claim and help you secure the monetary award you deserve.
How Long Will I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Missouri?
You’ll generally have five years from the date you’re bitten by a dog in Richmond Heights, MO to file a claim for damages.
If a family member has been fatally wounded by a dog bite, you’ll have three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Do not let the statute of limitations expire. Once time runs out, you lose the opportunity to assert your rights and bring a legal claim for damages.
The best course of action involves calling a trusted personal injury attorney near you in Richmond Heights for help right away. Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can get to work on your dog bite case as soon as you ask for help.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Richmond Heights Dog Bite Lawyer
Call Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers and ask us to help you hold a dog’s owner accountable if you’ve been attacked by an animal in Richmond Heights, Missouri.
Our Richmond Heights dog bite attorneys have 30+ years of experience and have won tens of millions for clients like you.
Now, we’re ready to put the full force of our law firm behind your dog bite lawsuit.
Contact us at (314) 207-4399 to arrange a time for a free consultation today. We’re available to help 24/7.
