St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or a loved one have suffered a dog bite injury, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann to discuss your case.
St. Louis Dog Bite Attorneys
“Man’s best friend” is a popular saying referring to a person’s relationship with their dog. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Approximately 800,000 seek medical attention due to their dog bite injuries, with half of these being children. More than 380,000 victims require emergency medical treatment. Between 2006 and 2008, there were 88 fatal dog attacks.
Missouri Dog Bite Laws
Missouri no longer has the “first bite rule”. Under the former law, the owner or keeper of a dog was not liable for the first time his dog bit someone but was liable for any bite incidents after the first one.
The present dog bite liability rule in Missouri is the Two-Prong Test:
1. Does the dog have a dangerous disposition?
2. Did the dog owner know, or should have known, about the dog’s dangerous disposition?
Missouri imposes statutory strict liability for dog bites. It states that the owner or keeper of a dog that bites, without provocation, is strictly liable for the damages and injuries of the person bitten. This is the case regardless of the dogs former behavior.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries are varied. Minor bites are injuries that have no lasting physical effects. This would include any bruising or break in the skin that does not require medical treatment or where a very minimum amount of treatment is necessary.
However, there are many serious or severe dog bites that require immediate medical attention, even hospitalization. These may include deep punctures, lacerations or even fractured bones. These dog bite injuries may require stitches or surgery.
In rare cases dog bites are fatal.
St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyers
The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann has successfully represented victims of serious dog bites throughout the entire State of Missouri. The statutes of limitations limit the amount of time you have to file a dog bite claim. As long as the victim did not provoke the dog and was not trespassing, they may seek financial compensation for the physical and emotional injuries suffered.
Contact the St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyers at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online contact form for a free and private consultation.