Thousands of people visit the emergency room every year for dog bites. More often than you’d think, these people are being bitten by someone else’s dog – which begs the question: is the owner liable for the medical bills? In the most uncomplicated case, the answer is yes.
If you are bitten by someone’s dog, it’s important to get it checked immediately – especially if you aren’t sure who the dog belongs to. Strays can have rabies, which can be deadly if left untreated. After you have been seen by a doctor, be sure to talk to your lawyer about the incident – attorneys with experience in personal injury often see dog bite cases and will know if you have a good case against the dog’s owner or not.
Missouri law shows that owners are responsible for their animal biting another person if an injury occurred, the person was on public property (or private property with permission), and as long as the person bitten did not provoke the animal. Even if the owner took precautions against their dog from biting someone, they will most likely still be held liable.
It is important to note that people who very obviously were negligent or threatened the animal on purpose will not have a solid argument for receiving compensation from the owner. Although, if the owner was aware that his dog was a danger to other people and still allowed his dog to roam around, a strong case will most likely be found.
If there were any witnesses to the incident, it’s crucial that you get their information for your case. From a dog bite, you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages from missed work. Ensuring you are represented well in court, be sure to choose a reputable personal injury lawyer like Tad Morlan!
