Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer

A Half-Century of Winning for Kansas City Families

A dog bite can change a life in an instant, leaving victims with severe injuries and a deep sense of vulnerability. At Bertram & Graf, L.L.C., we are dedicated to restoring your peace of mind. We understand that the physical wounds are only part of the story, which is why we approach every case with deep sensitivity and care. Our firm has spent over 50 years protecting the rights of injury victims in Kansas City, giving us the unique insight needed to handle these delicate matters with precision.

We take the legal burden entirely off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. While you recover, we aggressively investigate the incident, identify the liable dog owner, and negotiate with insurance adjusters who often try to deny fair payment. Our goal is to ensure you receive a settlement that covers your current medical bills and any future care you may need, providing you with the financial stability to move forward.

One check is rarely enough. Insurance adjusters hope you settle before you realize the true cost of plastic surgery and scar revision. Don't sign away your future rights for a quick payout. Contact us and see what your injury is really worth.

Laws On Dog Bites in Kansas City

According to the Missouri Revised Statutes section 273.036.1, a dog owner can be held liable for a dog bite if:

• The injury was a direct result of the dog bite
• The injury victim was either on public property or lawfully on private property
• The injury victim did not provoke the dog

Additionally, Missouri is one of the states that follow “strict liability” laws when it comes to dog bites. This means that a dog owner can still be held liable for a dog bite even if they took reasonable care to prevent the attack.

In practical terms, strict liability means an injured person in Missouri does not have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten someone before. What usually matters is where the bite occurred, whether the victim had a legal right to be there, and whether there was any provocation. This can be especially important in neighborhood incidents in Kansas City, where bites may happen on sidewalks, in shared yards, or in apartment common areas, and victims may not know what their legal status was at the time.

There are still defenses and exceptions that can affect a claim. For example, a dog owner may argue that a victim was trespassing, that the victim intentionally teased or hurt the dog, or that the bite occurred while the owner’s animal was assisting law enforcement. A Kansas City dog bite attorney can help you sort through these issues, evaluate how the law applies to your circumstances, and determine whether local ordinances or prior complaints to animal control may strengthen your case.

What Important Steps Should I Take When a Dog Bites?

No matter how calm or composed a breed or individual dog is believed to be, it is important to remember that all dogs have the capacity to bite and inflict considerable injury upon a human being. That said, there are several important steps you should take if you become injured by a dog bite.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Once you have been separated from the attacking dog, immediately seek medical treatment. Dog bites can be extremely serious and even fatal injuries, especially if you are losing a lot of blood. It is also important to identify the dog – if possible – to find out whether or not it was vaccinated against rabies and if you will require treatment for this disease risk.

Chances are you will require stitches to close any lacerations the dog caused. You might also require surgery if the attack resulted in broken bones, nerve damage, or other more serious injuries.

Prompt care is also important because bite wounds can become infected quickly, particularly if they are deep or on the hands, feet, or face. Emergency rooms and urgent care centers in Kansas City can clean the wound thoroughly, assess whether you need antibiotics or a tetanus shot, and document the extent of your injuries in your medical record. That documentation often becomes a key piece of evidence if you later decide to pursue a claim for your losses.

2. Identify the Dog’s Owner

It is vital to identify the dog’s owner as soon as possible. This is the individual who was responsible for the dog at the time of the attack. They may have been with their dog out in public or unaware of their dog’s location if the animal escaped from their home. In any case, the owner must be identified.

When you are able, try to get the owner’s full name, address, and basic information about the dog, such as its breed, size, and whether it has a current rabies tag. If the attack happens in a public place in Kansas City like a park or along a neighborhood street, you can also note nearby house numbers or landmarks in case you need to help animal control locate the animal later. The more information you gather at the scene, the easier it will be for your legal team to track down insurance coverage and confirm the dog’s vaccination history.

3. Document Injuries & the Scene

As soon as possible, take pictures of your injuries. If you can, take some while awaiting medical treatment and some after you have been treated. Thorough visual documentation of your injuries can provide the evidence you will need to demonstrate the viciousness of the attack.

You should also document the scene to demonstrate that you were on your own or public property, if an unlocked gate or short fence allowed the animal to escape, and any other conditions that may demonstrate that the owner’s negligence caused the attack.

It can also help to keep a written timeline of what happened in the hours and days after the bite. Notes about pain levels, missed work, follow-up doctor visits, and changes in sleep or mood can later support claims for medical expenses and emotional harm. Saving items like torn clothing or damaged personal property from the incident can further illustrate how severe the dog bite was and may be useful if you work with a dog bite lawyer in Kansas City.

4. Talk to Witnesses

If anyone else witnesses the attack, collect their contact information. If you pursue a personal injury lawsuit, witnesses may be asked to provide the court with their account of the event.

Witnesses who are independent of both you and the dog’s owner can be especially valuable, because they can describe how the dog was acting, whether it was leashed or contained, and what you were doing just before the attack. In busy areas of Kansas City, such as apartment complexes or popular walking routes, you may find several people who saw part of the incident; sharing their information with your legal team allows follow-up later, even if you are too shaken to ask detailed questions at the scene.

5. Collect Insurance Information

The dog’s owner should have homeowners’ insurance or a similar policy that addresses dog bites. Make sure that you collect this information and get a claim number if one is available.

In some cases, the dog’s owner may be a renter whose liability coverage is through a renters insurance policy rather than a homeowners policy. If the attack occurred in a shared space, such as a Kansas City apartment complex or business, there may also be additional policies that come into play. Writing down the name of each insurance company, policy number if available, and the contact details for any claim representatives you speak with can help your attorney track and coordinate all potential sources of recovery.

6. Don’t Discuss the Incident with Anyone

Avoid discussing the dog attack with anyone else, especially the dog owner. Assume that anything you say will be used against you to limit your recovery of damages or defeat your claim entirely. Never admit fault for provoking a dog or any other activity that may have caused the attack. At the end of the day, dogs should not bite people and their owners are responsible for ensuring they do not.

It is especially important to be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters who contact you after a bite. They may seem friendly, but their job is to gather information that could reduce what the company has to pay. Before giving a recorded statement, signing any forms, or accepting a quick settlement, consider talking with a Kansas City dog bite attorney who can explain how your words and decisions now may affect your ability to recover full compensation later.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims in Kansas City

After a serious dog attack, many people are unsure what their claim may actually cover or how to begin calculating their losses. Medical treatment, missed work, and the emotional impact of scarring or trauma can add up quickly, especially when children are involved. Understanding the types of compensation that may be available can help you make informed decisions before speaking with an insurance company about a settlement.

In a typical Missouri dog bite case, recoverable damages can include past and future medical expenses, such as emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and counseling for anxiety or post-traumatic stress. Victims may also seek compensation for lost wages if they missed time from work, or for reduced earning capacity if their injuries affect their long-term ability to do their job. In attacks that leave permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially on the face or hands, the law also allows claims for the loss of enjoyment of life and the day-to-day impact of living with a visible injury.

Non-economic damages like pain and suffering are harder to measure, but they are often a significant part of a dog bite claim. Ongoing nightmares, fear of dogs, or changes in how a child interacts with friends and family can all be considered when evaluating these losses. When a case is brought in a local court such as the Jackson County Circuit Court or Clay County Circuit Court, documentation from medical providers, counselors, and family members can all be used to paint a full picture of how the attack has affected your life.

The Dog Bite Claim Process in Kansas City

Knowing what to expect from the claim process can reduce some of the stress you feel after a dog bite. While every situation is different, most cases follow a similar path from the first report of the attack to a final resolution. Having a clear roadmap can help you decide when to notify insurance carriers and when to involve a lawyer to protect your interests.

Most claims begin with reporting the incident to the appropriate parties, which may include Kansas City Animal Control, the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance carrier, and your own health insurance provider. Evidence is then gathered, including medical records, photographs, witness statements, and any prior complaints about the same dog or property. Once the full extent of your injuries and expenses is better understood, a formal demand outlining your damages is usually sent to the responsible insurance company.

Insurance carriers often respond with questions, requests for additional documents, or an initial settlement offer that may not fully reflect your losses. The next stages can involve negotiation, and if an agreement is not reached, filing a lawsuit in the appropriate Missouri court. Throughout this process, a dog bite lawyer in Kansas City can track deadlines, communicate with adjusters, and help you avoid common mistakes—such as signing broad medical authorizations or posting about the attack on social media—that could weaken your claim.

How Can A Dog Bite Attorney In Kansas City Help Me?

Dog bites are often more serious than people tend to think they are. A lawyer will be able to help you understand your rights and work to ensure that they are protected while helping to maximize the amount of compensation that you may be able to recover.

Below are some ways that a dog bite lawyer can help:

• Help to maximize your compensation amount.
• Provide you with clarity on your specific case by answering all of your questions.
• Thoroughly investigate your case and gather strong evidence to support your case.
• Offer you important legal advice tailored to your situation.
• Help to ensure that your rights are protected by guiding you through the legal process.
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Represent you in the courtroom and fight to protect your rights and your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Missouri?

Missouri has a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, that limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a dog bite. In many personal injury cases, this period is several years from the date of the injury, but there can be exceptions depending on the facts and the age of the victim. Waiting too long can mean losing your ability to bring a claim, so it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your situation.

Will My Dog Bite Claim Go to Court?

Many dog bite claims are resolved through negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance company and never reach a courtroom. Whether your claim goes to trial depends on factors like how clear liability is, the seriousness of your injuries, and whether the insurance company is willing to offer a fair settlement. If a lawsuit is filed in a Kansas City–area court, there are still opportunities to resolve the case before trial through continued negotiation or mediation.

What If the Dog That Bit Me Belonged to a Friend or Family Member?

When a familiar dog causes an injury, people often hesitate to pursue a claim because they do not want to create conflict. In most cases, compensation is paid by the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance, not out of their personal savings. Understanding that you are usually dealing with an insurance company—not directly with your loved one—can make it easier to seek the medical care and support you need without damaging important relationships.

Contact Our Kansas City Dog Bite Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, our legal team at Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. understands just how harrowing a situation it may be. We know you are now likely facing a number of painful injuries, costly medical bills, loss of work or wages, as well as pain and suffering due to the trauma of the event. This is why we do not want you to face this difficult time alone—allow us to be your trusted legal advocates until your case is resolved.

Suggested Reading:

• What to Do If You’re Injured or Attacked by a Dog
• What Can I Do If My Child Was Bitten By a Dog?
• 7-Year-Old Airlifted After Dog Bite to Face
• Dog Bites: Which Breeds Are the Most Dangerous?
• Is the Owner Always Liable in a Dog Bite Injury Claim?

Schedule a free initial consultation with our trusted Kansas City dog bite lawyer today by calling (888) 398-2277.