Dog bites cause pain, frighten, and bring a lifetime of scars. Kansas City dog bite victims question whether they can sue. Here’s the good news: Kansas City law is on the side of the Kansas City dog bite victim. Timing is crucial. If you were bitten, you may be able to sue for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. This is the when to sue, how to sue, and how an attorney can help guide.
Missouri Dog Bite Laws and Kansas City
Missouri follows strict liability dog bite laws. This is to say that owners are liable for bites even if the dog was not cruel beforehand. Unlike most states, victims need not prove negligence. The owner is usually most often liable when a dog bites. Kansas City also has municipal codes that fill gaps in state code. Municipal law puts more leashes and restraints on irresponsible owners. If the dog had been at large, then all of this holds even more. For example, if the owner had been irresponsible about leash laws and was bitten by the dog, then negligence on the part of the owner makes him/her liable all the more.
How Common Are Dog Bite Accidents?
More individuals are bitten by dogs than most individuals would imagine. Millions of individuals get bitten annually in the United States alone. Children are at a higher risk simply because they are smaller and more innocent. Kansas City hospitals alone receive an enormous volume of victims from dog attacks annually. These attacks can take place within neighborhoods, within city parks, or at the victim’s own home if it is a relative or friend of the victim. Even though not every bite causes lifelong harm, the majority of them leave scarring, infection, or trauma that requires extensive treatment.
General Injuries Following Dog Bites
Dog injuries are as mild as severe. Although some get better and become fine in no time, others totally change the lifestyle of a victim. Some of the most prevalent injuries include:
- Puncture wounds: The jagged lacerations can destroy tissue.
- Broken bones: Large animals are strong enough to break bones with a single bite.
- Nerve damage: Bites to an arm, leg, or face injured nerves.
- Infection: Deadly bacterial infection in a dog’s mouth.
- Rabies: Rare, but rabies needs to be treated immediately.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Most of the victims need surgery to remove scarring forever.
- Emotional trauma: Canine phobia or fear after being attacked.
These kinds of injury often take more than first aid. Doctor’s visits, surgery, therapy, and counseling are typical ways of recuperation.
When Legal Action Is Necessary
Not all bites lead to a lawsuit. But lawsuits are typically the case when:
- The bite landed the victim in the hospital or with continued medical care
- The victim was placed out of work or lost income while recuperating
- The wound left the victim with a scar, disability, or continuing pain
- The dog was well-known for attacking or past attacks
- The owner violated leash laws or did not have the animal under control
Suing allows victims to receive expenses and bill the responsible owner. Missouri provides victims with five years to bring about a personal injury suit. Delaying can lose you the right to recover damages.
What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Dog
If you or someone around you are bitten, follow these steps immediately:
- Seek medical attention. Wash the wound and go see a doctor or emergency room.
- Report the bite. Report to police or animal control.
- Take photographs. Document attack site, ripped clothing, and wounds.
- Get owner and dog information. Name, phone numbers, and address.
- Document all this. Save receipts, medical bills, and reports.
- Call an attorney. An attorney will inform you of your rights and what to do next.
These actions will preserve your health and sustain your case. Consult with Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers right away.
Damages Recoverable
Dog bite victims can recover the following damages:
- Medical expenses: Hospitalization, operation, medicine, and physiotherapy.
- Lost wages: Lost salaries because of recovery or inability to work.
- Pain and suffering: For physical pain and emotional suffering.
- Scarring or disability: For permanent damage.
- Future expenses: Therapy, plastic surgery, or future physical therapy.
The amount will depend on the severity of the injuries and how the bite impacts your lifestyle.
The Role of the Insurance
Home policy insures dog bites in most cases. I.e., the owner of the dog insurer pays for harm. But insurance companies will do all they can to avoid paying. Adjusters make the money smaller or even try to accuse the victim. A lawyer can react and sue for proper compensation.
Why It Is Better with an Attorney
Dog bite cases can be complex. Owners may deny responsibility, or insurers may downplay injuries. A Kansas City dog bite lawyer can:
- Explain Missouri’s strict liability laws in plain terms
- Collect medical records, witness statements, and reports
- Work with experts to prove the extent of injuries
- Negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to pay
Legal practice advice enhances the chances of a fair verdict. Without it, victims get less than they deserve.
Kansas City Local Ordinances
Kansas City municipal ordinances include vicious dog ordinances and leash ordinances. Vicious breeds may be limited to secure kennels or be muzzled. Owners who disobey these ordinances may be fined or criminally charged. These are also admissible as evidence for a victim to prove negligence in a civil case.
When to Call a Lawyer
Call a lawyer right away if:
- The bite caused severe or permanent harm
- The owner is refusing fault
- The insurer is rushing you to settle
- You are unsure of what rights you have
Moving quickly allows the lawyer time to collect fresh evidence and build a strong case.
FAQs About Dog Bite Accidents in Kansas City
- How much time do I have to file a suit for a dog bite in Missouri?
Victims typically have five years from the time of the bite. Delays will shut down claims.
- What if this was the first time the dog bit someone?
The owner is responsible anyway, under the Missouri law. There isn’t a “first bite rule” here.
- Can I file a suit if the dog was loose-running in Kansas City?
Yes. If the dog is loose, the owner’s case would be simpler to prosecute.
- What do I do if the dog owner won’t give me his contact information?
Call the police or animal control. They should be able to read the dog and the owner.
- How valuable is a case when I was bitten by a dog?
It would be based on medical bills, loss of wages, injury, and long-term harm. An attorney can provide a more accurate quote.
Closing Thoughts
Dog bites can create physical damage, but victims in Kansas City also experience pain in other ways. Victims can move from sustaining injuries, and trauma, to suffering emotional, and financial pain. The larger issue is knowing when it is appropriate to pursue a claim. First Missouri law protects victims, and second a victim must pursue their claim in a timely manner. If you, or a family member has been bitten by a dog, you should seek medical care, and speak to an experienced Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer. A legal claim can help not just with your bills, it can also help erase some of the anxiety, and prevent further attacks.
