Each year, around 4.5 million Americans experience dog bites or dog attacks. If you or a loved one suffers a bite and the canine owner is deemed to be negligent, you have the legal right to compensation from the dog owner’s insurance carrier.
Dog bites cause almost $500 million in damages annually, with costly hospital trips and time missed from work commonplace. Many people who suffer from dog bites also experience permanent scarring or disfigurement and extensive trauma. You deserve to be fully covered for all damages so you are “made whole” after an attack. Our injury attorneys in Sunset Hills can help you use the legal system to get the money you need. Consider speaking with a Sunset Hills dog bite lawyer today.
Dog Bite Laws Entitle You to Compensation
In many cases, dogs exhibit aggressive behavior that should serve as a warning sign to the owner that the dog has a propensity to bite. If the owner should have known of the danger and taken steps to protect you, then you may file a claim based on the owner’s negligent failure to avoid injury.
Many states have the “one bite law” if it is the first dog bite incident. This protects dog owners from lawsuits. There is, however, a revised law in Missouri that places the burden back on the owner even if the dog has no history of aggression. Many dog bites can be prevented with proper education and responsible pet ownership. Anyone who has been attacked by another person’s dog should talk to a skilled lawyer about these laws.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Attack?
When a dog bites and you want to obtain compensation for losses, you typically will take legal action against the dog’s owner. However, there may be others who are responsible for your injuries as well. For example, when a dog attack occurs on a rental property, the landlord could be held legally liable if the property owner was aware of the dangerous dog. Sometimes, taking legal action against both the dog owner and the property owner increases the chances of being fully compensated for all damages caused by the dog.
It is also important to remember that when you make a claim against a dog owner or property owner, that individual is not usually going to pay the costs personally. Homeowner’s insurance and renter’s insurance typically covers the cost of dog bite claims. This means you shouldn’t hesitate to call a lawyer and take legal action after being bitten by a dog belonging to a friend or a neighbor. You have costs and losses to cover, and that is what insurance is for.
Contact a Sunset Hills Dog Bite Attorney Today
If you are suffering from severe injuries due to a dog attack, you may have a valid legal claim against the owner. Reach out to our Sunset Hills dog bite lawyers today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
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