Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer

Put 50+ Years of Attorney Experience in Your Corner

Although dogs have been humankind’s best friend for millennia, that friendship hasn’t come without risk to the latter’s safety. Every year, more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs – nearly 20% of which require medical attention. The cost of dog bites is also significant. According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 17,000 homeowners insurance liability claims totaled almost $855 million in 2020 alone.

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a dog bite, look no further than Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. Our Kansas City dog bite lawyers want to fight for your rights following such a traumatic experience. Injuries caused at the hands of a dog bite include, but are not limited to:

  • Fractures
  • Amputations
  • Head and face injuries
  • Emotional distress
  • Contusions
  • Heavy scarring

Nearly half of dog bite victims are minors under the age of 18, making the situation even more urgent, and the injuries even more serious. This is why our legal team will work tirelessly to hold the dog’s owner responsible for his or her negligence. We will investigate your case in a meticulous manner, to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Contact our dog bite attorneys in Kansas City today to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how our lawyers can help you.

Laws On Dog Bites

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 bit even if they took reasonable care to prevent the attack.

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’s 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 should 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’s 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.

2. Identify the Dog’s Owner

It’s 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.

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’ll 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.

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.

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.

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 shouldn’t bite people and their owners are responsible for ensuring they don’t.

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 ensure that they are protected while helping to maximize the compensation amount that you rightfully deserve.

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 to
  • Help to ensure that your rights are protected by guiding you through the legal process.
  • Negotiating with insurance companies for you.
  • Representing you in the courtroom and fighting to protect your rights and your future.

Were you or someone that you care about recently injured by a dog bite attack? Contact our dog bite lawyers in Kansas City today to receive a free initial consultation for your case.

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 of 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 don’t want you to face this difficult time alone--allow us to be your trusted legal advocates until your case is resolved.

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