Dog bites can cause serious injuries, both physically and emotionally. in Missouri, strict liability laws mean dog owners are often responsible for any injuries their dog causes, which can make it easier for victims to seek compensation. Here’s a look at how these laws work and what dog bite victims need to know.
Missouri’s Strict Liability for Dog Owners
Missouri law holds dog owners strictly liable for bites or injuries caused by their dog, this means that a dog owner can be held responsible, even if the dog had never shown aggression before or the owner had no reason to believe the dog would bite. Victims do not have to prove the owner was careless, they just need to show that the bite happened.
What Dog Bite Victims Need to Prove
Victim still need to establish a few important points to get compensation:
- Dog Ownership
Show that the defendant owned the dog. - Injury
Show that you were injured by the dog. - Legal Presence
Show that you were legally on the property where the attach happened and not trespassing or provoking the dog.
Why You Should Seek Legal Help
Even with the state’s strict liability laws, insurance companies often push back on claims, an experienced attorney can help you gather evidence, calculate the damages you are owed, and negotiate on your behalf.
At Kranitz, Sadoun & Carpenter, we have experience with personal injury cases in St. Joseph, Missouri and will work to protect your rights and help you seek fair compensation.
Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn more about your options under the law.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺.