When You Should Consider Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer
Over 4 million people in the United States suffer injuries as a result of dog bites every year in the United States according to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Out of those 4 million people, 300,000 victims seek emergency care due to the seriousness of their injuries, as reported in the Agency for Health Research and Quality. If you suffered injuries as a result of a dog bite, you may wonder if your injuries and losses are serious enough to consider hiring a dog bite lawyer to pursue compensation for your medical bills, loss of income due to your inability to return to work and your pain and suffering. Learn more about your legal rights by contacting a dog bite lawyer at Fletcher Law Office today and ensure you protect your ability to receive justice.
Missouri and Kansas Dog Bite Laws
Missouri and Kansas have different laws related to dog bite injuries. Missouri Revised Statutes section 273.036.1indicates that any time a dog bites another person, the dog owner remains liable if the injury was the direct result of the dog bite, the injured victim was on either public property or legally had the right to be on private property, and the injured victim did not provoke the dog in any way prior to the bite. Missouri’s dog bite law is considered a “strict liability” law meaning that even if the dog owner took reasonable precautions with respect to restraining their dog in order to prevent an attack, they will still remain legally responsible for any dog bite injuries suffered by a victim.
The state of Kansas, however, has no official dog bite statute. Instead, Kansas uses a common law known as the “one bite rule.” This rule indicates that a dog owner will not be held responsible for any injuries related to their dog biting another person unless the dog owner had some prior knowledge that their dog was predisposed to bite people. The most effective way to illustrate that a dog owner had knowledge that their pet was predisposed to bite people is to provide evidence that the dog previously bit another person. Visiting with a dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal rights in either Missouri or Kansas following a dog bite.
Examples of Injuries Suffered by Dog Bite Victims
Dog bites can cause serious injuries or even death. Every dog bite incident will have different circumstances, however, some of the types of injuries suffered by dog bite victims often include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken, fractured, or dislocated bones (often from the fall involved as a result of the dog bite incident)
- Puncture wounds (often resulting in infections, rabies, nerve damage, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, or even death)
- Psychological trauma (including post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health disorders)
- Death
As a result of their injuries, many victims of dog bites must face weeks, months, or years of hospitalizations, surgeries, reconstructive procedures, tissue expansion, skin grafting, scar diminishment, physical therapy, diagnostic testings, medical devices, prescription medications, mental health therapy, and more. If you suffered any kind of injury as a result of a dog bite, you may face serious medical challenges. Visiting with a dog bite lawyer can help you understand how you can receive compensation for these medical expenses and costs associated with your dog bite.
When You Should Consider Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer
There are many reasons why a victim should consider hiring a dog bite lawyer after their dog bite incident. Some of the reasons include the following:
- You suffered any kind of injury related to the dog bite that needed medical evaluation, treatment, or care.
- You were unable to return to work immediately following a dog bite as a result of your injuries.
- You suffered psychological trauma following a dog bite attack resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional conditions requiring the need for rest and mental health therapy.
- You experienced pain and suffering related to the dog bite injury.
- You feel overwhelmed attempting to deal with conducting an investigation, contacting and interviewing witnesses, hiring expert witnesses, and more to develop a strong personal injury case.
- You remain unsure of how to exactly calculate all of the compensation you may deserve under the law related to their dog bite injuries and losses.
- You feel that the insurance company’s tactics are manipulative or deceptive, or the settlement offer provided by an insurance company is not fair or just to completely cover your injuries and losses related to a dog bite.
- You are unsure if you will miss the deadline (statute of limitations) to file a claim in court for your dog bite injuries and losses.
- You do not feel that you can represent yourself in a lawsuit against the insurance company if they fail to offer you a fair and just settlement offer.
Every dog bite case will have a different set of facts and circumstances. However, if you suffered any injuries or losses at all, consider visiting with a dog bite lawyer at Fletcher Law Office in order to learn more about your legal rights and how to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve under the law.
Consider Visiting with a Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Dog bite injuries can result in serious or even life-long injuries or challenges to victims. Some of those victims have continued medical costs, the inability to return to work due to their injuries, continued medical treatments, psychological trauma, and pain and suffering. If you experienced a dog bite that led to injuries or losses of any kind, consider visiting with a personal injury lawyer today at Fletcher Law Office. We understand you have been through a traumatic experience and look forward to helping you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact our legal team today either online through our immediate chat service available on our website, or by phone at (816) 631-2868 to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation.