Dog Bite Lawyers in New Haven, MO
Call for a Case Review and Consultation if You've Been Attacked by a Dog
Dog Bite Lawyers in New Haven, MO. Halvorsen Klote serves victims and their families in Metro St. Louis and Southern Illinois. There are more than 4.5 million dog attacks in the United States each year leading to millions in damages. It's crucial to get qualified legal service as soon as possible after an incident. As personal injury lawyers, Halvorsen Klote has helped clients throughout the New Haven, MO, area settle cases and fight insurance companies. If you have a claim, don't hesitate to contact our dog bite lawyers.
Common Dog Attack Injuries
A dog might be considered "man's best friend, but that doesn't mean they're not dangerous. Our dog attack lawyers in New Haven, MO, understand how victims can be affected. For example, here are some of the most common dog bite injuries:
- Rabies
- Nerve Damage
- Scarring
- Eye Injuries
- Puncture Wounds
- Broken Bones
- Emotional Trauma
- Infection
Often, people stereotype certain breeds. There are facts to back this stigma, but they're not always applicable. Every dog is capable of biting a person. This can be caused by how the person interacts with the dog and the environment it was raised in.
Breeds that are often associated with bite 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 the same tendency to attack others when they're scared or aggravated. You should be mindful of a dog's breed, not afraid of it.
What Should I Do if I'm Bit by a Dog?
The first step, of course, is to get medical attention. You or any other victim's safety is paramount. If you are seeking future reimbursement for your injuries, having medical records is extremely important. Contacting our dog bite lawyers in New Haven, MO, should be your second priority.
Rarely is it beneficial to settle a case in court. Trials can take a long time before anyone reaches a decision. Each case is different and there are advantages to go to trial or accept an immediate settlement. There are a lot of factors at play, it's important to contact an experienced dog bite attorney in New Haven, MO, if you've been attacked.
Dog Bite Settlements in New Haven
According to the CDC, there are over 4.5 million serious dog bites per year in the United States. Medical care can cost tens of thousands of dollars when you consider surgery, medication, and other factors like time off of work. According to this source, the average medical costs for a dog bite is $20,000.
A dog bite lawyer in New Haven, MO, will look into a variety of special and general damages. These include:
- Medical Bills: You might be able to recover all expenses related to medical treatment caused by a bite. It's important to document everything (recovery, scarring, prescriptions, etc.) if you want compensation.
- Lost Time at Work: If you or your child have been injured because of a dog, you might lose your earning capacity for a certain period of time. Being unable to work due to an injury is a reimbursable damage.
- Pain and Suffering: Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience. Emotional stress, scarring, ongoing fear, and other factors have lifelong consequences.
- Punitive Damages: Although rare, in certain circumstances a victim can sue for punitive damages if the dog owner's conduct was intentful or extreme.
- Property Damage: This may include a broken phone, if you crashed a bike, if a dog tore up your siding, and other things that may have been damaged during an attack.
Different states have different rules about dog bite insurance and liability. In Missouri, owners of dogs can be held "strictly liable" for any damages. There may or may not be a settlement cap. Owners often opt-in for dog bite coverage and pay higher premiums, however this can be difficult depending on the breed. One of the most important factors in winning a dog bite case is if the owner knew that their dog had a tendency for violence or wasn't following leash laws in your New Haven. Contact Halvorsen Klote's New Haven, MO, dog bite lawyers today if you or a family member has been attacked. It's our job to help victims receive fair compensation after an incident and help you through the process.
Reach Out To a Dog Bite Lawyer in New Haven, MO, Today
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, reach out to Halvorsen Klote now for a consultation. You can call us at 1-877-51-HKLAW (877-514-5529 for a case review and consultation. Our New Haven, MO, dog bite attorneys handle a variety of other cases as well, including:
- 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
- Truck Crash Lawyers
Our firm would be happy to discuss your case. We've settled numerous cases and you can view our testimonials here.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
No matter what type of accident you're in, it is crucial to contact a local dog bite lawyer in New Haven, MO, right away if there are financial damages. Legal counsel doesn't cost you anything. Here, 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 New Haven, MO, dog bite lawyers are here to help.
