Kansas City Dog Bite Attorney

If you see a dog when you are out and about, the farthest thing from your mind is that you may get injured. However, we know that dog bites and dog attacks do happen that can result in serious personal injury. What you may not realize is just how often these incidents occur.

At Townsend Law, LLC, our qualified and experienced team understands the implications of these cases and wants to help you recover the compensation you deserve for all of your bite-related expenses. When you need a Kansas City dog bite attorney, call our law firm today for legal advice about your dog bite case for any part of Missouri or Kansas and the surrounding communities.

The Surprising Reality

There are around 90 million dogs in US households, and you probably know plenty of people who have dogs. Usually, you never think about or hear about dog bites, which is why you may be surprised to find out that there are actually about 4.5 million instances of dogs biting people each year in the US, and these dog bite victims can suffer from nerve damage as a result of vicious animal bites.

Yes, most of these bites are minor, but the CDC tells us that nearly 1 in 5 people bitten requires medical attention due to the severity of the animal attack.

What kind of damage can be done?

We want to point out that even minor dog bites can have serious implications, especially if they become infected. Infected dog bites often require surgery and medication in order for a dog bite victim to make a recovery.

Major dog bites and attacks can lead to the following:

• Severe soft tissue damage
• Muscle and ligament damage
• Tears of arteries and veins

It is not uncommon for dog bite and attack victims to need extensive surgery to repair damage and restore functionality to an area of their body. In many cases, reconstructive plastic surgery is needed to repair disfigurement.

• Children and the elderly are at the most risk of serious injuries from dog bites.

In many cases, dog owners are responsible for bites and attacks due to their negligent or careless actions.

• An owner may fail to properly secure their pet on their property by failing to secure a cage, door, or fence.
• Many owners ignore municipal leash laws that are in place and let their pets wander.
• Sometimes, a dog owner will let a dog known to be aggressive be around other pets and people. This can lead to deadly situations.

When a dog owner’s actions contribute to another person’s injuries, they need to be held accountable for their actions.

How To Move Forward Now

Stop for a minute and think about the expenses you are encountering and whether or not you can afford them. Our law firm can handle dog bite cases and provide legal advice for these instances. In the aftermath of a dog bite that has caused you or a loved one harm, Townsend Law, LLC wants to help you recover the compensation you deserve. This can include:

• Your medical expenses related to the bite incident
• Lost income and benefits if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering/loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Possible punitive damages against the dog’s owner

Kansas City Dog Bite FAQ

Dog bite incidents can lead to serious medical emergencies. Victims of dog bites often need extensive medical care, can suffer from long-lasting damage, and are not fully aware of the dog bite laws in Missouri, Kansas, and other areas. At Townsend Law, LLC, we are here to help if you or a loved one have been injured or suffered emotional trauma from a dangerous dog. When you need a Kansas City dog bite attorney, our law office will investigate all aspects of your dog bite case as we work to secure the compensation you deserve.

How Often Do Dog Bites Occur?

It is estimated that around 90 million dogs are living as pets in the US. Approximately half of all US households have a dog. While most dogs never have an incident, there are still approximately 4.5 million dog bites annually in the country. Not all of these bites are severe, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that around 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog require medical attention.

Is The Dog Owner Liable For A Dog Bite Injury?

In many cases, nobody is at fault for a dog bite incident, and the bite is truly an accident, as can be found in the dog bite laws. There are also times when the property owner is at fault, or the person who is bitten could be at fault, mainly if they are trespassing or on private property when the bite occurs or if they provoked the animal. Many variables exist in these types of personal injury cases, and not all dog bite claims are the same.

However, there are times when a dog’s owner could be held liable for injuries or property damage. This could be the case if the owner:

• Failed to close a gate or door, and the dog escaped and bit someone.
• Allowed a dog known to be aggressive around other people or pets.
• Allowed a dog to roam without a leash despite municipal laws in place to prevent such actions.

What Kind Of Injury Can A Dog Inflict?

Dogs have very powerful jaws, and they can inflict serious injuries. Some are docile, and others can be dangerous dogs. This can include:

• Severe damage to soft tissue
• Severed ligaments, veins, arteries, and tendons
• Broken bones
• Amputation of the fingers

Children account for more than half of all dog bite victims. Along with elderly citizens, children are the most vulnerable to serious injuries from dog bites because they are not often able to get away from the attacking dog and lack the strength to defend themselves.

These injuries can cause not only physical damage but also severe emotional trauma for the victims. That must be taken into account when considering compensation for the injuries.

Is There Compensation Available For A Dog Bite Injury?

If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite caused by the negligence of a dog’s owner, you may be entitled to compensation. Our law firm can provide legal advice on dog bite cases and how to handle your insurance company, whether the incident happened in Missouri or Kansas. At Townsend Law, LLC, we are going to get to work investigating the incident to secure economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Coverage of all medical bills related to the bite
• Compensation for lost income if you cannot work
• Mental anguish damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Possible punitive damages against the dog’s owner

When you need a Kansas City wrongful death attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 816-408-6541.