Dog Bite LawyerFarmington, MO

Well-trained dogs should never bite or attack anyone. If you've been bitten, we can help.

Dogs may be man's best friend, but that doesn't always mean they are friendly. A dog will bite if it feels threatened, or if it's poorly trained and confined. Dog bites should always be taken seriously, even from smaller dogs. They have sharp teeth by design. If you've been attacked by a dog, what can you do?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Farmington 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 Farmington. 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 Farmington - 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. For Missouri, the dog owner will be liable for the damages caused by the dog, minus the portion that the person bit is liable for the dog bite. 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 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 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. 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 didn't provoke the dog, weren't trespassing, and the dog attacked you without cause, you will not be held liable 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 use their mouths as their hands. 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 should you immediately do following the attack?

You first have to decide how serious the bite is, and whether you need emergency services. 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 - Applying pressure to the wound will cause it to bleed, but it will also cause any dirt or any other foreign debris to be pushed 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. Take your time and clean around the wound to make sure no further bacteria gets into it.
• Third - Take a clean cloth and place it over the wound to stop the bleeding.
• Fourth - You should now apply antibiotics to the wound to protect it. Touching the wound may sting, but it's important for you to take this step.
• Fifth - The wound now needs to be wrapped so that it can stay clean. It's now time to go see a 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 - Make sure to watch your wound in the follow weeks. 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. Which dogs are more likely to bite someone? 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 Farmington, MO - We can Help

When dogs attack someone it's because of negligence. If the dog owner was a responsible owner you wouldn't have been attacked by the dog. This is a point that can be legally argued. 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 Farmington 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.