Dog Bite LawyerAuxvasse, MO
Well-trained dogs should never bite or attack anyone. If you've been bitten, we can help.
We love dogs and we love to have them as companions, but that doesn't mean they are always safe to be around. We have to remember that dogs are animals, and when they feel threatened or are poorly trained, they can be destructive. Dog bites should always be taken seriously, even from smaller dogs. Their teeth are designed to do damage. When a dog bites you, you have legal recourse to make the situation right. But what are your rights?
Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Auxvasse that will hold the dog owner accountable for their animals actions and make sure that you get the FULL recovery you deserve. Your dog bite claim could be complex, and without the assistance of an experienced dog bite lawyer in Auxvasse you could get less of a recovery than you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers will make sure that you're fully taken care of. If you have any question about our personal injury firm, or how our dog bite lawyers will handle your dog bite case, call our team at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We don't charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for any attorneys fees unless we win your dog bite lawsuit.
Dog Bite Lawyer Auxvasse - Know Your Rights
Missouri and Illinois both have laws governing how dog bite claims work.
For Missouri, 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 animal was not provoked and still attacked, the dog owner will be fully liable. This type of law is known as Comparative Negligence, which clarifies that a person will be liable in a lawsuit for the percentage they are responsible for the accident.
For Illinois, Statute 510 ILCS 5/16 details liability in Dog Bite Lawsuits. Illinois law is quite similar to Missouri's. If they were in an area they are legally allowed to be in, and they were bitten by the dog without provocation, the dog owner is going to be fully liable for the damages. The reverse of this situation also places more blame on the person bit if they were trespassing and provoking the animal.
So what should you take from these dog bite laws? If you were somewhere you have legal right to be, 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.
What do I do after I've been bitten by a dog?
Dogs don't have hands, they pick up everything with their mouths. Dogs will eat anything they can reach, and this means their mouths can be incredibly dirty. If you've been bitten by a dog, what should you immediately do to take care of the wound?
You first have to decide how serious the bite is, and whether you need emergency services. A dog can cause serious and traumatic injuries to a person, and if you've been significantly mauled by a dog and are losing blood, you need to seek immediate medical help. Call 911. They will be able to help you.
If you are able to take care of yourself, what steps should you immediately take? There are a few steps that you can immediately take to treat a dog bite wound so that doesn't get worse or get infected.
- First - Apply pressure to the wound to cause bleeding in an attempt to flush out any bacteria/dirt or debris that may be in the wound. The wound needs to be cleared before you can clean it further.
- Second - Clean the wound with soap and water. Take your time and clean around the wound to make sure no further bacteria gets into it.
- Third - Use a clean cloth to stop the bleeding or slow it down as much as possible.
- Fourth - At this time, apply any antibiotics you may have. Touching the wound may sting, but it's important for you to take this step.
- Fifth - You should now wrap the wound to make sure it is sealed. With the bleeding under control and the wound sterilized, now is the time to see your doctor to determine how severe the bite is.
- Sixth - Your doctor will be able to make sure the wound is ok and not getting worse. If you need to take further medical action with the wound, your doctor will be able to tell you.
- Seventh - After the visits with your doctor, make sure to pay attention to the wound. If it gets worse, go back for further medical care.
Here are a few of the most common bacterial infections that occur with dog bites:
- Staph Infection - Staph infections are common in dog bites if the wound isn't properly cleaned and taken care of.
- Pasteurella multocida - This dog bite infection can lead to skin necrosis, and other serious health issues such as meningitis, otitis, pyogenic arthritis, brain abscess and more.
- Capnocytophaga - You can get a Capnocytophaga Infection from a dog bite. These infections are serious, and can cause heart attacks, organ failure, gangrene and can even lead to the amputation of limbs.
Which Dog Breeds are most likely to bite?
Certain dog breeds have a higher chance to bite than others. The question is, which dog breeds are most likely to bite ? Here are a few answers to that question:
This article from the CDC gives a comprehensive breakdown of Dog Bite Related Fatalities, and which breeds were most responsible for those fatalities.
This link houses several different statistics regarding dog bite studies, dog bite fatalities, dog bite fatality citations, and more.
Here are the dog breeds most responsible for dog bites and dog attacks:
- Chihuahua
- Bulldog
- Pit Bull
- German Shepherd
- Australian Shepherd
- Lhasa Apso
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Cocker Spaniel
- Bull Terrier
- Pekingese
- Papillion
Dog Bite Lawyer Auxvasse, MO - We can Help
Dog bites and dog attacks happen because of negligence. If the pet owner took the time to properly care for the dog, chances are that you would not have been bitten or attacked by the animal. This shows negligence. Negligent actions can cause damages, and when they do, the individual who caused those damages can be held liable for the act. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Auxvasse have successfully litigated dog bite cases before and can guide you through your dog bite lawsuit. Our Dog Bite Lawyers will take your claim seriously, and we're more than willing to take your dog attacks lawsuit to court to make sure you get the respect you deserve. To learn more about our Firm, our practices, or how we can help you with your claim, call our team at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We don't charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for any attorneys fees unless we win your dog bite lawsuit.