Dog Bite LawyerTroy, 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. Dog bites aren't a laughing matter, even when a small dog bites. 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 Troy 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 Troy. Our team will fight for your full rights and make sure that you get the physical and financial recovery you are owed. 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 Troy - 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. In Missouri, the pet owner is liable for the damage the dog causes, however, the person bit, if they were partially liable for the bite, they will only be able to recover the amount they weren't liable for. To clarify, this means that if someone was teasing or provoking the dog, they will be partially liable for the damages caused to them. If the animal was not provoked and still attacked, the dog owner will be fully liable. 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's law is very 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 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 will eat anything they can reach, and this means their mouths can be incredibly dirty. In the event that you've been bitten by a dog and you have puncture wounds, what should you do? What steps should you take immediately following a dog bite?

You first have to determine whether you can tend to your injuries, or whether you are facing a medical emergency. A dog can cause serious and traumatic injuries to a person, and if you've been significantly mauled by a dog and are losing blood, you need to seek immediate medical help. 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 - 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 has to be cleaned out before you can safely proceed.
• Second - Clean the wound with soap and water. Take your time and clean around the wound to make sure no further bacteria gets into it.
• Third - Use a clean cloth to stop the bleeding or slow it down as much as possible.
• Fourth - Antibiotics should now be applied to the wound to make sure all foreign bacteria is destroyed. 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. 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. 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?

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

Dog Bite Lawyer Troy, 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 is a point that can be legally argued. When someone allows a negligent act to happen, they can and should be held liable for that action. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Troy 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.