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Have you or a loved one recently sustained a dog bite injury from a dog that wasn't yours? Every year, about 4.5 million dog attacks occur in the United States, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. After an incident, it's critical to seek experienced legal representation as quickly as possible. Powell Law Firm has assisted clients in the St. Peters area to settle disputes and fight insurance carriers as experienced dog bite lawyers. Please do not hesitate to call our personal injury attorneys if you believe you have a dog bite case.
What Are the Most Common Dog Bite Injuries?
Although a dog is known as "man's best friend," this does not mean that they are not dangerous. The dog bite lawyers at Powell Law Firm in St. Peters, MO, understand how victims can be affected after an occurrence. The following are some of the most common dog bite injuries:
Nerve damage
Facial injuries
Scarring
Broken bones
Puncture wounds
Infection
Emotional trauma
Certain dog breeds are commonly stereotyped. Although there are facts to support this stereotype, they are not always applicable. Every dog has the ability to bite someone. This can be caused by the person's interactions with the dog as well as the environment in which it was raised.
Cocker spaniels, German shepherds, bull terriers, jack russells, bulldogs, pit bulls, and even chihuahuas are all breeds that are frequently linked with danger. The age and size of the dog are rarely essential; what matters is how the dog owner raised the animal and how people interact with it. When humans are terrified or irritated, they have the same urge to lash out at others. People need to be aware of a dog's breed rather than fearful of it.
What to Do When Attacked by a Dog
Of course, the first step is to seek medical help. The safety of you or any other victim is critical. Having medical records is critical if you want to get reimbursed for your St Peters, MO dog bite injuries in the future. Your second priority should be contacting our dog bite lawyers.
A courtroom settlement is rarely advantageous. It can take a long time for a jury to reach a decision in a trial. Each case is unique, and there are benefits to going to trial versus accepting a quick settlement. There are many elements at play, so if you or a family member has been injured, you should contact an expert dog bite attorney in St. Peters, MO.
How Much Are These Cases Worth?
A victim of a dog bite injury can collect around $40,000 on average for a "serious but ordinary dog bite damage," while dog bites that result in permanent disfigurement and scarring can be worth closer to $100,000, and dog bites that result in lifelong incapacity can be worth more than $200,000. If you fall victim to a dog bit, contact a St Louis MO dog bite lawyer immediately.
Unfortunately, these figures do not guarantee the outcome of the claim. Because the victim's recovery is contingent on the specific facts and circumstances of the case, they should consult with an experienced lawyer in St. Peters, MO.
Do you think you have a solid dog bite injury case? Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys as soon as possible to recover full compensation.
Getting a Dog Bite Settlement in St Peters, Mo
According to the CDC, there are about 4.5 million serious dog bites in the United States every year. When looking at medication, surgery, and other considerations such as time away from work, medical care might cost tens of thousands of dollars. The average medical bill for a dog bite incident is $20,000, according to sources.
Many factors influence the overall amount you receive, including whether or not you hire an attorney in St. Peters, MO. Remember that a St. Peters dog bite lawyer from our legal office will only agree to represent you if ew can add value to your claim and help you recover a fair settlement. This also takes into account our contingency-fee-basis, which means Powell Law Firm will not charge clients anything until their dog bite injury lawyer in St. Peters, MO wins their case. Then, at the conclusion of the lawsuit, we receive a percentage of the total settlement.
This means our legal team will work on your personal injury case at no cost to you. There is no reason not to discuss your case with our St. Peters, MO dog bite injury team to see whether we can assist you.
The personal injury lawyers in St. Peters, Missouri, will consider a variety of specific and general damages. Among them are:
Lost Wages
If you or a member of your family has been attacked by a dog, you might be unable to work for a period of time. An injury that prevents people from working is a reimbursable expense.
Medical Bills
Dog bite victims might be eligible to collect all costs associated with medical treatment. If you want compensation, you must document everything (healing, scarring, medicines, etc.).
Pain and Suffering
Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying experience. Emotional stress, trauma, persistent fear, and other causes have long-term effects.
Property Damage
This includes things such as your house, a bike or motorcycle, clothes, your phone, and other items that were damaged during the attack.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, if the dog owner's behavior was intentional or excessive, a victim might be able to file for punitive damages in their dog bite claim.
When it comes to insurance coverage and dog bite liability, states vary. Owners of dogs in St Peters can be held "strictly liable" for any damages under Missouri law. A settlement cap might or might not exist.
Owners can pay higher premiums for dog bite coverage; however, based on the breed, this could be problematic. If the owner knew their dog had a history of violence or was not following leash restrictions in St. Peters, that is one of the most essential considerations in winning a dog bite case.
Under strict liability, no negligence is required because prolonged ownership of a dangerous animal imposes legal liability on the pet owner or possessor.
If you believe you have a dog bite case, contact your St. Peters, MO, dog bite attorneys right away for legal representation. It is our responsibility to assist victims in receiving fair compensation following an occurrence and to guide victims through the legal process.
Settlements in personal injury claims involving dog bites are three times greater for plaintiffs who engage a dog bite injury attorney than for those who try to achieve a settlement without legal counsel.
How Is an Animal Owner Liable?
In many instances, the dog's or other animal's owner is aware of or should have been aware of the animal's dangerous proclivities or history of violence. Knowing about previous acts of violence can make the animal or dog owner legally liable to the victim. Past aggression can range from as minor as knowing the dog has attacked someone before to as serious as prior attacks that were either reported to authorities or kept secret by the owner. Furthermore, even if the animal didn't have a history of violence, an owner or possessor can be held accountable for failing to prevent the dog bite injury.
The owner of the animal or dog is normally covered by homeowner's insurance, which covers such injuries and damages. Of course, the owner can be held accountable even if their insurance coverage is insufficient to pay the victim. Dog bite and animal bite lawsuits must be brought within five years after the attack or bite.
Factors That Influence the Value of These Personal Injury Cases
A case's worth is determined by the following factors:
Permanent scarring or disfigurement due to the dog bite
The dog bite injuries have caused permanent disability
The injuries from the dog bite required emergency medical attention
The dog bite victim had to receive surgery or any other significant medical treatment
The victim needed mental health treatment for the emotional trauma sustained because of the dog bite.
If you'd like a free case review, contact Powell Law Firm today. Your dog bite injury lawyer in St. Peters, MO will be dedicated to proving and investigating the circumstances surrounding your case. We devote all of our resources to gathering evidence, determining liability, and constructing an airtight argument to ensure that your dog bite injury claim in St. Peters, MO is successful.
Other St. Peters Practice Areas
Contact a St Peters, Mo Dog Bite Attorney Today!
Have you recently suffered a dog bite attack? Reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Powell Law Firm for a free consultation. We are experts when it comes to dog bite claims. Furthermore, our lawyers value the attorney-client relationship and fight aggressively so that our clients receive a fair settlement after enduring a traumatic experience.
If you're looking for an experienced attorney in terms of dog bites, truck accidents, medical malpractice accidents, or any other personal injuries, contact us at (314) 470-1374.