Dog Bite Lawyers in Manchester, MO

Manchester, MO Personal Injury Lawyers

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Call 866-382-4167 for a No Risk, No Obligation Case Evaluation | Manchester, MO Dog Attack Law Firm

Dog Bite Lawyers in Manchester, MO. Dogs can add a great deal of fun, love and companionship to our lives. But when Manchester, MO dog owners don't keep their dogs in check, it can cause injuries and other damages to innocent people. It's important to find qualified legal counsel as soon as possible after an incident. As personal injury lawyers, Halvorsen Klote has helped clients in Manchester, MO and on both sides of the river hold negligent dog owners accountable to get the financial recovery they are owed. If you have a claim, don't wait another second to call us at 866-382-4167 or contact our Manchester, MO dog bite lawyers online. Halvorsen Klote represents clients in the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois.

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How Common Are Dog Bites?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are over 4.5 million serious dog bites annually in the U.S. Dog bites are associated with expensive medical bills, as medical treatment can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Every day, almost 1,000 people seek emergency medical treatment for significant dog bites, and the average dog bite-related hospital stay is $18,200.

In 2022, across the country there were 17,597 dog bite claims, which resulted in $1,136,000,000 in compensation.

Do I Have a Dog Bite Case in Manchester, MO?

If a dog bit you for no reason, you may be thinking about if you have a case for legal action. The answer depends on the circumstances surrounding the attack:

• The extent of your damages — If you want to have a viable case, your injuries your injuries have to have resulted in monetary damages. You can typically receive compensation for injuries that led to medical treatment, as well as emotional damages like post-traumatic stress disorder. For less significant injuries that didn't require medical treatment, such as a scrape, you may not have a claim .
• The specifics of the attack — If you were bitten while you were on public property or on private property you had access to, you may have a case. However, if you were trespassing or threatened the dog or their owner, you may not have a case.
• Insurance coverages available — For more serious dog bite cases, you'll likely need to find an insurance policy that covers any damages the dog causes. Most times, this will be under a homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance policy. If not, you may need your attorney to do some "creative lawyering" to help locate the policy that covers your damages.
• Dog bite laws — Whether or not you're able to make a valid claim for a dog bite also depends on local ordinances and state statutes. Typically, in Missouri and Illinois, you have a dog bite claim any time you were bitten by another person's dog if:
  • You were lawfully allowed to be where you were
  • You were acting peacefully and did not provoke the dog

If you are unsure whether or not you have enough to seek compensation, you need to speak to a qualified Manchester, MO dog bite lawyer. They can evaluate the specifics of your case and advise you on what the best path forward is.

What Should I Do if I'm Attacked by a Dog in Manchester, MO?

If you've been bitten by a dog, it's important to take certain steps to protect your health and your legal rights. While it can be hard to keep your wits about you, after being bitten by a dog you should:

• Gather evidence — As soon as you can afterwards, take photos of the dog, your injuries, any injuries the dog sustained and where the attack occurred. Ask for the contact info of the dog's owners and any witnesses you can, without getting into a confrontation with the owner.
• Seek medical attention — Even if you don't think your injuries are serious, you need to get checked out by a doctor or other medical professional. Dog bites can be prone to infection, and you may need to receive a tetanus shot or other treatment to prevent complications. Furthermore, you'll need proof that you were injured in order to receive compensation.
• Report the bite — Depending on where the attack transpired, you may need to file a report with your local municipality. This can help to ensure that the dog is quarantined and observed for signs of rabies or other diseases, and that there is documentation of the incident to show the insurance company.
• Be cautious with insurance companies — Insurance companies want to settle claims as quickly and cheaply as possible. Never agree to a settlement before you speak to an attorney, as it may not fully cover the costs of your medical bills and other expenses.
• Call a personal injury lawyer — A lawyer with experience in dog bite cases can help you determine the best way to move forward. They can evaluate the circumstances of the incident and help you to determine the true value of your dog bite injury in Manchester, MO.

What Can a Dog Bite Lawyer in Manchester, MO Do for Me?

A dog bite lawyer in Manchester, MO offers expertise and peace of mind. Here are some of the things they can do for you:

• Evaluate your case — A dog bite lawyer can evaluate your case and advise whether you have a valid claim. They will review all of the evidence and how it fits with law and case precedent.
• Help you understand your rights — A dog bite lawyer can help you understand the injury claim process and what you're entitled to. They can explain the laws that govern dog bites in Manchester, MO, and they can help you navigate the injury claims process from filing a claim with the appropriate insurance to going to trial if necessary. Throughout your case, your Manchester, MO dog bite lawyer will be there to answer any questions you have about personal injury claims.
• Acquire evidence — A dog bite lawyer can gather evidence that backs up your side of the story. This may include medical records, witness statements and photographs of your injuries.
• Negotiate with insurance companies — A dog bite lawyer can negotiate with the dog owner's insurance company for you. Insurance companies want to avoid paying claims, but a dog bite lawyer can advocate for your rights and ensure the compensation covers all of your damages.
• Represent you in court — If your lawsuit goes to court, a dog bite lawyer can represent you and advocate for your rights.

Understanding Dog Bite Laws

Any law regarding personal injury is designed to keep innocent people from harm and to hold negligent actors liable for the harm they cause. Each state makes their own dog bite laws, and the laws in Missouri and Illinois have most of the most important aspects in common.

Neither state has a "one bite rule" – where the dog had to have bitten somebody before for the owner to be liable – or uses negligence – requiring the dog owner to do something wrong – to determine if an owner can be liable.

Instead, both states follow "strict liability", meaning that a dog owner is liable for any damages their dog causes, whether or not the dog has a history of aggression or or if the home owner did anything wrong. Unlike other forms of liability, such as negligence, strict liability does not require you to prove that the dog owner did anything wrong. Instead, the mere fact that the dog caused harm is enough to establish liability.

The dog bite laws in each state can be found in Missouri Revised Statute §273.036 and 510 ILCS 5/1.

The main difference in dog bite law between Missouri and Illinois has to do with the statute of limitations. In Missouri, you generally have five years to file a dog bite claim, while in Illinois dog bite claims must be filed within two years.

Common Dog Attack Injuries

A dog might be considered "man's best friend, but that doesn't mean they're not dangerous. Halvorsen Klote's dog bite lawyers in Manchester, MO, understand how victims and their families can be affected. For example, below are some of the most common injuries related to dog bites:

Often, people stereotype certain dog breeds. There are facts to back this stigma, but it's not always the case. Every dog is able to bite someone. This can be attributed to the dog's environment and interaction with the victim.

Breeds that are often associated with bites include (in no particular order) bulldogs, pit bulls, shepherds, terriers, pekingese, and even chihuahuas. The size and age of the dog rarely matters; the important thing to remember is how a dog was raised and how you interact with the dog. People have a similar tendency to attack others when they're scared or aggravated.

What Compensation Can I Get for My Dog Bite in Manchester, MO?

A dog bite lawyer in Manchester, MO, will look into a number of special and general damages. Some of these include:

• Medical Expenses — Victims might be able to recover all costs related to medical treatment caused by a dog bite. It's important to document everything (recovery, scarring, prescriptions, etc...) if you want reimbursement.
• Lost Time at Work — If you've been bitten by a dog, you might lose your earning capacity for a certain period of time. The money you lost from not working can be reimbursed to you.
• Pain and Suffering — Being attacked by a dog can be traumatic. Emotional stress, scarring, ongoing fear, and other factors can have lifelong consequences. These types of non-economic damages are factored into personal injury settlements and verdicts.
• Punitive Damages — Although rare, in some circumstances a victim can sue for punitive damages if the owner's conduct was intentional or extreme.
• Property Damage — This can include a broken phone, if you crashed a bike, if a dog tore up your siding and other things that might've been damaged during an attack.

One of the most important aspects of a dog bite lawyer's job is to accurately value how much your personal injury claim is worth. At Halvorsen Klote, our Manchester, MO personal injury lawyers will ensure that no money is left on the table in your claim.

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Other cases we take on and win in Manchester, MO include:

• Bike Wreck Lawyer
• What to Do After a Car Accident
• Premises Liability Attorneys
• Automobile Injury Attorney
• Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
• Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
• Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Injury Claim Lawyer
• Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
• Auto Crash Attorney

Reach out to a Dog Bite Lawyer in Manchester, MO Today

If you've been attacked by a dog, reach out to Halvorsen Klote today for a consultation. It's crucial to contact a local dog bite lawyer in Manchester, MO, right away if there are financial damages. Legal assistance doesn't cost you anything. At Halvorsen Klote, we charge on a contingency fee basis. This means that if we don't win your case you don't owe us anything and there aren't any upfront fees. Our Manchester, MO, dog bite lawyers are ready to help. Call us today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case review.

Our attorneys would be more than happy to discuss your case. We've won numerous cases and you can view our case results here.

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