Dog Bite LawyerDexter, 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. When a dog bites, even a little dog, it's going to hurt. 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 Dexter 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 Dexter. Our team can guide you through your dog bite claim and make sure that you're given the care and financial recovery you deserve. 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 Dexter - 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. This means that if the dog was taunted or felt threatened by the person's actions, then the person bit will also be partially liable for the attack. 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 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's law is very similar to Missouri's. If the person wasn't trespassing, and they were legally allowed to be in the area they were in when the bite occurred, the pet owner will hold liability. 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 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 use their mouths as their hands. 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 need to quickly decide whether you can perform first aid on your injuries, or whether you injuries are too severe and need to be immediately seen to by a medical professional. 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.

If you can perform first-aid on your wounds, 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 - Press around the wound to make it bleed. This is important to force any dirt out of the wound. The wound needs to be cleared before you can clean it further.
• Second - Soap and water are a good tool to get the wound clean. Make sure to clean any dirt or other things around the wound as well.
• Third - Take a clean cloth and place it over the wound to stop the bleeding.
• 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. You should now go see your doctor.
• Sixth - Your doctor will now look and the wound and determine it's severity. If further medical attention is necessary, they will be able to tell you that.
• Seventh - Pay close attention to your wound following the doctor visit. 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?

Just like other types of animals, some dog breeds are more likely to bite than other dog breeds. 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:

Dog Bite Lawyer Dexter, MO - We can Help

When dogs attack someone it's 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 fact absolutely matters. 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 Dexter have fought dog bite lawsuits before, and we know how to make sure you get the FULL care and recovery 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.