Dog Bite Injuries
Protecting your rights for dog bite injury cases
Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
An animal or dog attack can only take an instant, but the experience is often frightening and the attack can result in lifelong injuries. If you have suffered this kind of scary encounter in Missouri, the first step you should take is to immediately seek medical treatment for your injuries. After that, finding out your legal options can help achieve peace of mind and a plan to help you move forward in a productive way.
The Columbia and Springfield, MO dog bite injury lawyers at Allen, Nelson & Wilson have the skill and experience to help you after enduring this horrific ordeal. The firm works to hold the animal owner responsible, help you heal and pursue the much-needed compensation for your injuries.
Helping You Recover From All Types Of Dog Bites
At our firm, we help clients who have suffered all types of dog bite injuries, including those involving:
- Injuries to small children
- Facial damage and scarring
- Puncture wounds to the hands, arms and legs
- Broken bones
- Cuts, abrasions and other wounds
- Damage to nerves and muscles
We also assist clients who have suffered infections or have contracted other diseases as a result of the attack.
Victims of these types of injuries often need emergency medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and therapy after being on the receiving end of these serious animal attacks and dog bite episodes. The resulting injuries from this type of traumatic experience can also lead to permanent scarring and disfiguration as well as mental health concerns such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, fear, depression and embarrassment.
The New Missouri Law Concerning Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Under the old Missouri law governing dog bite claims, a victim had to prove the dog had a “vicious propensity” to attack before someone could recover any money from the animal’s owner. Under the new law passed in 2009, Missouri imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog bites, whether or not their dogs ever bit anyone in the past or was ever vicious. This means dog attack victims do not have as much to prove before they can get the compensation they deserve, but it is still in your best interest to work with an experienced attorney at Allen, Nelson & Wilson to make sure your case is strong and all compensation opportunities are explored and maximized.
If these new legal requirements are met, the dog owner will be held strictly liable for the attack and the victim may be awarded monetary compensation, called damages, for his or her injuries and related expenses for this type of premises liability claim.