Dog Bite LawyerMaries County, MO

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but that doesn’t always mean they are friendly. 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 you’ve been bitten by a dog, what should you do? What are your options?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Maries County with extensive experience fighting for dog bite victims and making sure they get the full care and recovery they need. Your dog bite lawsuit is going to need the guidance of a lawyer in Maries County. 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 314-648-8348 or 618-226-4811. 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 Maries County – 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 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 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 similar to that of Missouri’s wherein an owner is liable for the damage caused by a dog according to how much the person bit was responsible for the damages. 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 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 dog, or if you were trespassing and were attacked by the dog, you will hold liability on the attack. 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 really don’t care about what they eat until it’s too late, and this often means they eat nasty things that are full of dangerous bacteria. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, what should you immediately do to take care of the wound?

It’s important to decide whether you can perform first aid on the bite, or whether you need to go to the emergency room. If you can’t perform first aid on your wounds, go to the hospital immediately. Call 911. They will be able to help you.

If you can tend to your wounds, what steps should you 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 – 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. 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. It’s now time to go see a doctor.
• Sixth – Your doctor will now look and the wound and determine it’s severity. They will let you know if further medical treatment is needed.
• 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?

Not all dogs are aggressive at the same levels. Statistically, which dogs are more likely to bite people? 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 Maries County, 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. Whenever someone acts negligently and their actions cause harm to another individual, they are absolutely liable for the damages caused, even if they themselves didn’t physically cause the damage. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Maries County 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 314-648-8348 or 618-226-4811. We don’t charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for any attorneys fees unless we win your dog bite lawsuit.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

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!

Shaunda S.

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.

Emelia M.

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.

Helen L.

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!

Judy M.

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!!!

Chelsea C.

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.

David D.

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.

Lisa B.

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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