Dog Bite LawyerPevely, 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. Dogs can be dangerous if they feel threatened or if they aren't trained right, and often, under these circumstances they will bite. Dog bites are no joke, even from little dogs. They have large canines for a reason. What are the actions you should take following a dog bite, and what are your options legally?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Pevely with a proven track record of fighting for the rights and recoveries of those who have been bitten by poorly trained dogs. Your case is going to require expertise and a dedicated dog bite lawyer in Pevely to fight for you. 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 Pevely - 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 means that a person will be liable for the portion of the damages they either caused or were harmed by because of their failure to act in a reasonable way.

For Illinois, Statute 510 ILCS 5/16 details liability in Dog Bite Lawsuits. Illinois law is quite similar to Missouri's. If the person had a legal right to be in the area they were in when they were bit, and they did not provoke the dog, the pet owner will be held fully liable. If the dog was provoked, and the person was in an area they weren't legally entitled to be in, the person bitten will be liable for a portion of the damages.

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 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 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. When you've been bitten by a dog, what should you immediately do following the attack?

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 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 - 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 has to be cleaned out before you can safely proceed.
• Second - Soap and water can be used to get the wound to a treatable stage. Make sure to clean any dirt or other things around the wound as well.
• Third - Use a clean, unused cloth to stop the bleeding.
• Fourth - At this time, apply any antibiotics you may have. It may sting to apply the antibiotic, however, if you don't do it the chances of infection growing in the wound will be high.
• Fifth - The wound should now be wrapped to make sure it stays as clean as possible. You should now go see your doctor.
• Sixth - Your doctor is going to see to your bite and may give you medicine to make sure it is fully treated. If further medical attention is necessary, they will be able to tell you that.
• 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?

Certain dog breeds have a higher chance to bite than others. Which breeds are known to be more aggressive? 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 Pevely, MO - We can Help

When a dog bites someone, or viciously attacks 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 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 Pevely 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.