Dog Bite LawyerUnion, 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. 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 large canines for a reason. If you've been attacked by a dog, what can you do?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Union with a proven track record of fighting for the rights and recoveries of those who have been bitten by poorly trained dogs. Your dog bite claim could be complex, and without the assistance of an experienced dog bite lawyer in Union you could get less of a recovery than you deserve. 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 Union - 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. 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's law is very similar to Missouri's. 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. 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 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 don't really mind too much what they put in 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. 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 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 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 - 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 needs to be cleared before you can clean it further.
• Second - Use soap and water to clean the wound thoroughly. 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 - You should now apply antibiotics to the wound to protect it. 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 know what to do next regarding the dog bite. 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?

Not all dogs are aggressive at the same levels. 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 Union, MO - We can Help

Dog bites and dog attacks happen because of negligence. If the pet owner would have taken the time to train and confine the dog properly, chances are you wouldn't have been attacked. This is the deciding factor. When someone allows a negligent act to happen, they can and should be held liable for that action. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Union 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.