St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyers
Dog bites can happen when you least expect it. A friendly-looking dog can turn aggressive in an instant, leaving you with painful injuries and emotional scars. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in St. Louis, you’re likely dealing with medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next. The St. Louis dog bite attorneys with Mandel & Mandel, LLP can help you hold the dog’s owner responsible and get the compensation you deserve.
Missouri’s Dog Bite Laws: What You Need to Know
In Missouri, dog owners are in most cases held strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets. This means that if a dog bites you, the owner is legally responsible, regardless of whether the dog has shown aggression before. All you need to show is that the dog bit you, you were lawfully on the property or in a public place, and the bite caused injuries.
This strict liability standard protects victims from aggressive dogs but also places the burden of paying for medical bills, pain, and lost income on the dog’s owner. St. Louis dog bite attorneys can help you ensure you aren’t left covering those costs out of your pocket.
Common Injuries From Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause more than just physical pain. Depending on the severity of the attack, you could face long-term medical issues and emotional trauma. Common injuries include puncture wounds, nerve damage, infections, and scarring. In more severe cases, victims may need reconstructive surgery or long-term rehabilitation. Beyond physical injuries, dog bite victims often experience anxiety and fear around animals that they didn’t have before.
Getting medical treatment after a dog bite is the first step in your recovery, but it can also be expensive. That’s why pursuing compensation for all the damage you’ve suffered is important. A lawyer will ensure that your claim considers not just your immediate medical costs but also any long-term expenses or emotional toll the attack has taken.
Why You Shouldn’t Settle Too Quickly
After a dog bite, the dog owner’s insurance company might offer you a settlement. While this can seem like a quick and easy way to move on from the attack, it’s rarely in your best interest to accept the first offer. Insurance companies often try to settle dog bite cases for as little as possible, hoping you’ll agree before fully understanding the long-term effects of your injuries.
St. Louis dog bite attorneys can help you evaluate any settlement offers and work to ensure that the compensation reflects the true impact of the attack. You shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for ongoing medical treatment, therapy, or missed wages. Mandel & Mandel St. Louis dog bite attorneys will negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair settlement or take your case to court if necessary.
Please Don’t Wait to Take Action
Dog bite cases are time-sensitive. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to gather the evidence needed to support your claim. Contact the Mandel & Mandel, LLP team of St. Louis dog bite attorneys as soon as possible to start building your case. We’ll handle the legal process so you can focus on healing and work to get the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Don’t let someone else’s dog leave you struggling with medical bills and trauma. Use our online form or call 314-621-1701 for a free consultation.