Dog Bite LawyerBloomsdale, MO
Well-trained dogs should never bite or attack anyone. If you've been bitten, we can help.
We often forget how dangerous dogs can be. When they are poorly trained or feel threatened, they can and often will bite the person that they feel is threatening them. Dog bites are no joke, even from little dogs. Their teeth are made to puncture and tear. 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 Bloomsdale that is dedicated to aggressively fighting for the rights of dog bite victims. Your dog bite lawsuit is going to need the guidance of a lawyer in Bloomsdale. Our team can guide you through your dog bite lawsuit and make sure that you get the full recovery you are owed, both physically and financially. 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 Bloomsdale - Know Your Rights
Here are the Missouri and Illinois laws governing dog bite lawsuits.
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. To clarify, this means that if someone was teasing or provoking the dog, they will be partially liable for the damages caused to them. However, if the dog escaped the yard or leash, and the person bit took no actions to provoke the dog, then the pet owner will hold liability. This type of law is known as Comparative Negligence, which dictates that a person will only be able to recover the amount which they weren't liable for the accident.
For Illinois, Statute 510 ILCS 5/16 details liability in Dog Bite Lawsuits. Illinois's law is very 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. If the person bit did provoke the dog, and they were also trespassing, they will hold more of the liability for the accident.
So what should you take from these dog bite laws? If you weren't trespassing, weren't taunting the dog, and had no reason for the dog to attack you, you won't be held to any liability for the attack. If you provoked the animal and you were somewhere you didn't have the legal right to be, you're going to be partially liable for the damages caused to you. 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. When you've been bitten by a dog, what steps should you take to make sure an infection doesn't grow?
You first have to determine whether you can tend to your injuries, or whether you are facing a medical emergency. If your injuries are extensive and you're losing a great deal of blood, immediately call emergency services to get help. Call 911. They will be able to help you.
What if the bite was serious but not life-threatening? What should you do? 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. Make sure to clean any dirt or other things around the wound as well.
- Third - Use a clean cloth to stop the bleeding or slow it down as much as possible.
- Fourth - If you have any antibiotics, apply them now. It may still be painful to touch the wound, but applying the antibiotic is very important.
- Fifth - You should now wrap the wound to make sure it is sealed. Now that the wound is under control, go see your doctor.
- Sixth - Your doctor will know what to do next regarding the dog bite. They will let you know if further medical treatment is needed.
- 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 Bloomsdale, 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. When someone allows a negligent act to happen, they can and should be held liable for that action. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Bloomsdale have taken on dog bite lawsuits before and can ensure that you're given the quality care and legal advice that you deserve. 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.