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(314) 500-HURTDogs are animals with instincts, and sometimes they bite. Dog bite cases are tricky because so many of us love these typically gentle companions, so when a dog bites and injures you, you need a St. Louis law firm that knows how to navigate these cases and get you the compensation you deserve. Burger Law’s St. Louis dog bite lawyers do the work required to succeed in your case.
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Burger Law’s dog bite lawyers help you recover after you have been bitten by a dog in St. Louis. Dogs are quite often excellent pets and companions, yet every year in the U.S. millions of dog bites occur. Even seemingly minor bites leave a lasting impact and affect you in ways beyond your physical, visible injuries. Because of the risk of infection, psychological trauma and other serious damages it is important that you hire a qualified dog bite lawyer right away. You can speak to a dog bite injury lawyer from St. Louis about your case now by calling Burger Law at (314) 500-HURT or reaching us online.
Here are some dog bite cases we’ve won for our clients in St. Louis:
$305,000 Settlement in Dog Bite Case
$110,000 Settlement in Dog Bite Case
$75K Settlement in Dog Bite Case
If you have been bitten by a dog and think you may have a dog bite injury case, do not go it alone. Missouri has strict liability laws that allow victims of vicious dog bites to seek compensation, and many municipalities in St. Louis and surrounding areas have additional local mandates, such as leash laws and ordinances regarding specific dog breeds. To get the most out of your recovery and to make sense of the complex issues of negligence, damages and local dog laws in your case, contact a firm like ours right away. Burger Law is a leading St. Louis personal injury law firm with specialized skills and expertise in dog bite injury claims. Our skilled dog bite attorneys have helped hundreds of Missouri injury victims collect more than $180 million in verdicts and settlements. When you hire us for your dog bite claim, we fight to get you maximum compensation.
The damage a dog bite leaves behind is often much more than physical. In addition to lacerations, broken bones and bruises, vicious dog attacks can cause permanent damage and leave physical and mental scars that never heal. The results of these attacks are even more devastating when they happen to young children. When you or a loved one suffers the physical and emotional trauma of a dog bite, you need a skilled and dedicated dog bite attorney who will not simply accept a meager settlement offer but will work hard to demand and obtain the highest possible compensation for your lasting damages.
Schedule a free case evaluation here. Litigation attorney
“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”
Gary Burger
From demonstrating the lasting impact of permanent visible scars to canvassing to investigate the dog’s prior history, the Burger Law dog bite injury lawyers in St. Louis will not rest until we recover the maximum amount of compensation available to you. With decades of experience, millions of dollars won for our clients and the highest number of five-star reviews among law firms in the St. Louis area, you can rest assured that your dog bite case is in the right hands when you hire a Burger Law dog bite lawyer. Speak to one of our dog bite lawyers for free at (314) 500-HURT, or send us a message now to see if you have a dog bite case.
When a dog bites, they are most likely feeling threatened or has a history of trauma. Whatever the case, it is the St. Louis dog owner’s responsibility to prevent a dog bite injury from occurring. If you have been bitten by a dog, you should first seek immediate medical attention and then find a skilled St. Louis dog bite lawyer who can help you secure the recovery you need. Your Burger Law dog bite lawyer in St. Louis will promptly step in to identify the attacking dog, mandate rabies testing, investigate the dog’s prior biting history, file claims, and, if it comes to it, represent your case in court against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance and any other available insurance coverage. With extensive trial experience and hundreds of cases won for our deserving clients, we are the injury firm you want on your side.
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
If you or a family member has been bitten by a neighbor’s dog, or anyone’s dog in Missouri, you may be eligible to file a claim and pursue compensation. Damages you may be able to collect include medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages. Burger Law’s Missouri dog bite injury lawyers in St. Louis fight for the rights of those who have been injured by dog bites and other incidents. We fight to get you the compensation you deserve. If you believe you have a St. Louis or Missouri dog bite injury case, contact us for free at or online. Burger Law’s St. Louis-based dog bite lawyers are ready to fight for you and get you the great recovery you deserve for your dog bite injury.
Minor dog bite claims typically do not make it to court in St. Louis. They are often settled between the owner and the person who was bitten. If you want to escalate a claim beyond a small claims court, you must have more serious injuries and other damages. This may include medical expenses, scarring, trauma and other financial repercussions.
Most St. Louis dog bite cases occur in public places like parks, on the sidewalk, watching a baseball game, etc. These attacks commonly fall under strict liability, which means the owner of the dog is responsible for paying damages. However, the injured party may affect the settlement if they were partially at fault by provoking the attack or trespassing.
Leash laws vary throughout the U.S. In Missouri, for instance, the only “leash” laws set in place are while an animal owner is in a state park. There are variations of leash laws and proper duties of care, such as the Adequate Control Law, which enforces control of your dog in public or private places.
Here is the Missouri law detailing dog bites and dog bite lawsuits:
Missouri Revised Statute §273.036 details liability in dog bite lawsuits. The dog owner will be liable for the damages caused, minus the percentage that the person bit was liable for the attack. This means that if someone provoked the animal and caused the dog to bite them, then they will be liable for a portion of their damages. If the dog bit someone and was not provoked, as in the case of a dog escaping the yard or a leash, the dog owner will be fully liable for the damages caused by the dog. This type of law is known as comparative negligence, which means that a person will be liable for the portion of the damages they either caused or were harmed by because of their failure to act in a reasonable way.
When you are injured by a dog that was in someone else’s care other than the owner, you may have a case of negligent entrustment. This is a law of negligence that says that an owner can still be seen as negligent for allowing someone unqualified or incapable to operate or manage that property. In this case, the property is the dog.
So what should you take from this Missouri dog bite law? If you were somewhere you have legal right to be in Missouri and you were attacked by a dog and the dog owner acted negligently in securing their animal, you may not be liable for any of the damages at all. If you were taunting the dog and it attacked you, or if you were in an area you didn’t have the legal right to be in, you will be held liable as well. Never provoke a dog, it’s just not a smart nor safe thing to do.
Most dogs are fun, friendly and safe family pets. So, how common are dog bites, and what effect do dog bite injuries have on our communities?
If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog bite attack, contact our St. Louis dog bite injury lawyers immediately.
Sources:
Here are several types of injuries that can arise from a dog bite:
If you have been bitten by a dog in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri, it is essential that you immediately speak with a dog bite lawyer at Burger Law. Also, taking certain precautions may help secure any financial compensation. The following steps are the best practices for what to do after a dog bite:
Get as many details about the incident as possible. It is up to our St. Louis-based dog bite injury firm serving all of Missouri to help you recover fair compensation for you or a family member’s injuries. If you or your child have been bitten and injured by a dog, contact our experienced St. Louis dog bite attorneys right away. We will fight every step of the way and demand the full recovery your family deserves.
You may be entitled to compensation under R.S.Mo. §273.036, if you suffered injury due to a dog bite.
R.S.Mo. §273.036 provides that the “owner or possessor of any dog that bites, without provocation, any person while such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog, is strictly liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s or possessor’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
To prove that a dog owner is liable under the statute, an injured person must show:
This is a strict liability statute, meaning the dog owner is liable regardless of whether he or she took reasonable care to prevent the dog bite, such as restraining the dog.
The statute also prescribes a $1,000.00 fine to a dog owner held liable for a dog bite, in addition to any other damages the injured person can prove.
A person injured from a dog bite is entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income (if they are unable to work), pain and suffering and property damage.
Common legal defenses to liability under the Missouri dog bite statute include provocation and trespassing. If the dog owner can prove the injured person provoked the dog, such as by petting or startling the dog, then the injured person may not be able to recover. Similarly, the injured person may not recover under the statute if the dog owner can prove the injured person was trespassing on private property at the time of the bite.
Notice that the statute only covers dog “bites.” So, what happens if you are injured when a dog jumps on you and knocks you down or otherwise attacks you but does not bite you? The Missouri Supreme Court has held that a claim in ordinary negligence may be asserted to recover for harm caused by domestic animals that are not abnormally dangerous. Duren v. Kunkel, 814 S.W.2d 935 (Mo. banc 1991). So, to recover damages for a non-bite injury caused by a dog, you may bring a negligence claim based on premises liability.
In dog attack cases based on premises liability, the elements of proof are dictated by the entrant’s classification as either a trespasser, licensee or invitee. Carter v. Kinney, 896 S.W.2d 926, 928 (Mo. banc 1995). An entrant is deemed a trespasser unless the possessor of the land has given the entrant permission to enter. Id. One who enters the premises of another with permission is a licensee unless the possessor has a sufficient interest in the visit that it is reasonable to assume that the possessor has made the premises safe for the visit, in which case the visitor is deemed an invitee. Id.
Generally, the possessor owes a trespasser no duty of care; a licensee the duty to make safe dangers known to the possessor; and an invitee the duty to exercise reasonable care to protect him or her against both known dangers and those that would be revealed by inspection. Id.
Thus, in a dog attack case pled on a premises liability theory, the dog owner is subject to liability for harm to licensees if the dog presents a foreseeable danger to a licensee of which the dog owner is aware; and a dog owner is subject to liability for harm to an invitee if the dog presents a foreseeable danger to the invitee of which the dog owner knows or should have known. Wilson ex rel. Wilson v. Simmons, 103. S.W.3d 211, 219 (Mo. App. 2003).
In a dog attack claim based on premises liability, the dog owner will often raise the defense of comparative negligence. Under Missouri law, the injured person’s damages are reduced if he or she was partly responsible for their injuries. Furthermore, if a jury determines the injured person was more than 50 percent responsible for the incident, he or she will not be allowed to recover any damages.
In Missouri, under the statute of limitations an injured person has five years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit.
Missouri dog bite claim example
Burger Law’s Missouri dog bite injury law firm based in St. Louis has a team of gifted litigators and trial lawyers with more than 100 years of combined experience practicing law and protecting the vulnerable and injured. We will fight to get you maximum compensation in any injury claim in Missouri, including the case types listed here. Click for more information.
Most children in St. Louis are naturally attracted to animals. Dogs are no exception. It is important to enforce safety measures because you never know when an attack will happen. A child’s Labrador may be friendly and never cause harm, but a St. Louis neighbor’s Chihuahua could strike if provoked. Our St. Louis dog bite attorneys will protect you and help you recover. Call us at (314) 500-HURT now. There are a few rules-of-thumb to follow in St. Louis to keep your children safe from dog bites:
The final point above is very important to teach to St. Louis children. They may be man’s best friend, but dogs have teeth and paws that can cause permanent scarring, childhood trauma, and legal repercussions. Burger Law’s dog bite lawyers can help if you or a family member have been injured by a dog.
According to Kids Health, nearly 5 million people suffer from dog-related injuries each year. Most victims are children under the age of nine. It is important for St. Louis adults to protect themselves and their kids and to encourage safety measures to prevent attacks, whether provoked or innocent.
Our ferocious, dedicated dog bite lawyers in St. Louis serving all of Missouri fight hard and demand your recovery when you are injured by a dog bite. Call Burger Law’s team of reputable St. Louis dog bite lawyers right away at (314) 500-HURT to begin your path to a full recovery. We work hard for you so you can spend your time healing; leave the rest up to us. Hire a Burger Law dog bite lawyer right away. While we work for you, educate yourself on the civil claim process, including how to prepare, what you can expect and how to find the right dog bite lawyer for you in Missouri.
When you hire Burger Law’s dog bite lawyers in St. Louis to handle your case, you have a dedicated team who will go the extra mile to prove your case and secure complete compensation. We will quickly investigate to determine whether or not the dog has a history of biting, make claims, file lawsuits and try cases against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance and/or other insurance.
Burger Law works with individuals who have sustained dog bite injuries in St. Louis to establish the damages, including living life with scarring or having to plan future plastic surgery to ameliorate the scarring. Our dog bite lawyers hire surgeons to testify about damages caused in dog attack cases, including the cost of repairing the scarring that is a result of the attack. Gary Burger and his associates will even canvas St. Louis neighborhoods where the dog attack occurred to prove prior attacks. The St. Louis dog bite lawyers of Burger Law are seasoned in canine attacks and have taught other lawyers how to handle different types of dog bite cases. To get started on your free case evaluation, contact the St. Louis dog bite attorneys of Burger Law by calling (314) 500-HURT or completing our online contact form.
Client Reviews
Year of 2023 
This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!
7 months ago I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.
3 months ago Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.
a year ago We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!
a year ago They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!
5 months ago Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.
2 months ago Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.
11 months ago Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!
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Frequently asked questions
Most dog bite victims begin their case knowing very little about personal injury law. As a leading dog bite injury law firm in St. Louis, we see it as our duty to provide all victims with resources and information to help them understand their situation, including answers to many of the most common questions injury victims have.
How do you determine which personal injury lawyer is right for you? As you’ve undoubtedly heard the disclaimer at the end of TV and radio commercials for law firms: the choice of a lawyer is important and should not be based solely upon advertisements. The key is to speak with the lawyer and de …
Do you know how long you have to file a personal injury claim? Or when the best time is to file one? Is it better to do it immediately after your accident or to wait until you know how significantly your injuries have affected your life? These are just the beginning of the string of questions t …
When To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer. Accidents and injuries are always unexpected, and it can be hard to know what to do in the aftermath, and how to go about getting compensation for your property damage, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Burger Law knows how to handle cases and …
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
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Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
At Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer, we are a team of personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation.
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