By Zane T. Cagle | May 11, 2021 | Dog Bites, Featured, Personal Injury, Premises Liability
According to statistics, there are around 83.3 million dogs in the United States kept in approximately 56.7 households. The CDC survey reports that are an average of 4.5 million American dog bite victims per year, 1.5% of the population. With 885,000 bites per year, almost one out of every five are serious enough to require medical attention. That number is somewhat deceptive as many dog bites go unreported. Dog bites send nearly 368,000 victims to the hospital emergency departments yearly (1,008 daily). Dog bite injuries can range from minor to major reconstructive surgery and even death.
Few states still have the “one bite law”. Another name is the “one free bite rule” which is a legal doctrine that determines whether the owner of a domestic animal such as a dog can be held legally liable for injuries caused by that animal. Missouri does not have the “one bite rule’ rather Missouri has strict liability for dog bite injuries. Most states have enacted dog-bite statutes and most often these statutes create a form of “strict liability” for dog bites. Strict liability means that the defendant is held liable if a certain event occurs, regardless of whether the defendant could have done anything to prevent the event. The typical strict liability dog bite statute says that the defendant is liable if his dog bit a plaintiff and:
If you are bitten by a dog, the following steps are important:
Dog bites are not reported well and then often, the follow through on gathering information regarding the offending animal is not done thoroughly unless the injuries are extremely serious or fatal. Many times, individuals do not know what to do following a dog bite. As individuals as well as dog owners, we need to know the process after a dog bite. As many of us are dog owners, we have a natural sympathy for dogs–they are man’s best friend. Almost all dogs are capable of biting as it is a natural reaction to fear and/or pain. Being sure your dog is never put into a situation where they are fearful or hurt decreases the likelihood they will bite another. Animals that are allowed to run freely about the community are a huge problem when it comes to biting.
Gathering information and documenting your injuries and treatment are critical aspects if you are the victim of a dog attack. An experienced dog bite attorney can assist you in the reporting and documenting process following a dog bite.
If you have questions, our attorneys are available seven days a week for free consultations at 314.276.1681.
The Cagle Law Firm serves accident and injury clients throughout St. Louis and the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, including the eastern Missouri and southern Illinois communities. If you or a loved one needs legal assistance with your personal injury case, call The Cagle Law Firm at (314) 276-1681 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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