Mismanaged dogs that aren’t properly trained can threaten the lives of others around them. Dog bites can result in serious injuries, such as puncture wounds, torn muscle tissue, gashes, crushed bones, scarring, and other debilitating wounds. If the dog doesn’t have a rabies shot, that could pose another problem.
If a dog has recently bitten you, you may be owed compensation for your personal injury. You can speak with reliable attorneys who can direct you on what steps you can take to get started on your settlement claim. To get started, click for more information.
What Is the Strict Liability Law?
Strict liability law refers to the statute in Missouri that punishes owners for the dangerous consequences of being generally negligent and not managing their dog. The law states that the dog owner is liable for any injury their dog has caused. For this law to be activated, the dog must not have been provoked, and the dog bite victim should be on public property or legally on private property. This law does not consider how well the dog behaved in the past.
Can I Sue For The Dog Bite?
You can sue for a dog bite attack and hold the owner liable for your damages, however in most cases, you will first seek a settlement before filing a lawsuit. Most personal injury cases are settled with the help of an attorney before the court becomes necessary.
Damages that you can include in your settlement can include economic and non-economic damages, including the following:
Medical Expenses
After a dog bite attack, you should seek medical treatment immediately. This is because the scratches and bite marks are painful but could also be infected. You will have to get tested to make sure you didn’t contract any disease and should be treated with antibiotics. In more serious dog bite attacks, you may get a debilitating injury and be temporarily disabled. Medical bills add up over time, and you can include each healthcare treatment you receive because of the dog bite in your settlement total.
Lost Wages
The dog bite may have made it difficult for you to perform normal work activities and even chores. Your hands or other parts of your body might be injured. This can force you to miss days from work, reducing the amount of income you receive. Any current and future lost wages can be added to your compensation.
Pain and Suffering
These non-economic damages are entirely based upon the severity of your personal injury. This can be estimated according to the type of emotional turmoil you experienced, such as PTSD, grief, shame, depression, anxiety, and more.
If you have other damages that were caused by the dog bite attack, you can speak with a personal injury attorney to inform you of your legal options. The dog owner must pay these damages in addition to a penalty of up to $1,000 to the state and potential criminal penalties.
Does The Offending Dog Have To Be Put Down?
This is entirely dependent on how aggressive the dog was. Typically, if a dog causes multiple Level 4 bites, it may be considered a threat to other people and put down.
More Information On Dog Bite Laws
If you’d like to find out more about dog bite laws, you can reach out to a knowledgeable dog bite attorney who understands how traumatic this situation can be for you. They can review your case and let you know how to get started on your settlement claim.
Read more from Eighty Mph
Common Reasons To Seek Legal Advice
