Did someone’s dog bite you in Kansas City, Missouri? Make the Cohen Law Firm your first call. Call (816) 323-0955 today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Kansas City dog bite lawyer. You may deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our founding attorney, Zach Cohen, has recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients and their families. Now, our team is prepared to put our combined seven years of legal experience to work for you.
Why Call the Cohen Law Firm for Help After a Dog Bite Injury in Kansas City, MO?
Many dog bite victims mistakenly believe the dog’s owner will automatically be responsible for covering their damages. In reality, many complications often arise when victims try to recover compensation for dog bite injuries.
When you hire an experienced Kansas City personal injury attorney, you’re telling the insurance companies that you won’t back down and take a lowball deal. Our team at the Cohen Law Firm has the experience, legal knowledge, and track record of success that you need in your corner. Our founding attorney has been recognized twice as a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney under 40 by the NAOPIA.
Without experienced and recognized legal representation, you always risk taking less money than you really deserve. Call us today to learn more about how we can use our skills and resources to your advantage.
How Common Are Dog Bites?
Roughly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Unfortunately, many dog bite victims are children. According to research published by the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid over $1.5 billion to settle dog bite injury claims nationwide during 2024.
How Does Missouri Deal With Dog Bite Injury Claims?
Every state has different laws when it comes to dog bite injuries. Some states only require dog owners to cover damages if their dog has bitten someone in the past. In these “one bite” states, victims must prove the dog’s owner had reason to know the dog was vicious.
Missouri isn’t a one bite state. Missouri is a strict liability state for dog bites. Dog owners may be held responsible even if their dog had never harmed anyone in the past.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Dog Bite in Missouri?
Even with Missouri’s strict liability dog bite law, recovering financial compensation is not automatic.
To hold the dog’s owner responsible, you must prove:
- Their dog bit you
- You were on public property or lawfully on private property, even if it’s the dog’s owner’s property
- You suffered damages due to your injuries
- You did not provoke the dog bite
These elements may initially seem simple. However, several different defenses are actually built into the law.
The dog’s owner may claim:
- You did something that a reasonable person would expect to provoke a dog to bite, such as taunting or threatening
- You were trespassing on their premises
- The dog did not actually bite you
It’s important to be prepared for these and other defense strategies. You’ll likely be dealing with the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters know every trick in the book when it comes to injury claims–and they won’t hesitate to use the law to convince you to back down or take less than you deserve.
Can Negligence Theories Be Relevant to My Dog Bite Injury Case?
Negligence theories most often become relevant when one of the dog owner’s defenses has merit. Dog owners can also be liable for negligence. Someone is negligent when they fail to use the amount of caution that a reasonable person would use under the circumstances.
For example, if the owner failed to obey local leash laws or did not take reasonable steps to keep the animal secured, they may be held financially responsible based on negligence. Negligence can also be relevant in cases involving third-party liability.
Business owners, landlords, and other property owners may be financially accountable if:
- You were lawfully on their premises
- They knew, or reasonably should have known, about the potential dog bite danger
- They failed to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk
- The dog injured you
- You sustained damages because of your dog bite injuries
Dog bite cases can be complicated by many factors. If you’re struggling with painful injuries, contact our Kansas City dog bite attorneys today. Regardless of the legal theories that apply, we can help you locate the evidence you’ll need to prove your case.
What is My Kansas City Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
Dog bites have the potential to cause significant long-term damage. It’s important that your compensation award provides the funds you may need for ongoing care and lost earning capacity–not merely cover your current costs.
The value of a personal injury claim depends on multiple factors, including:
- The general severity of your injuries
- Your current medical treatment costs
- Whether you’ve been forced to miss work and lose income
- The mental trauma and suffering you’ve endured
- Your level of pain
- Anticipated future expenses for ongoing care
- Future impacts on your earnings
- Available insurance policies
Insurance companies tend to focus on costs you’ve already experienced. Many victims are satisfied with an award that only covers what they’ve spent. Only later do they realize that their expenses were ongoing–and their losses ran much deeper than the purely financial.
Our attorneys have the skills to evaluate your case and help you understand how much you really deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Kansas City?
Dog bite injury victims can pursue the same types of compensation that are available in any accident-related personal injury claim.
Economic damages awards cover your tangible financial costs, including:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Mental health treatment
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
Non-economic damages attempt to compensate for your personal pain, trauma, and suffering.
Specific examples include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression and shame
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
Our lawyers know how to fight for every dollar you deserve. We may bring in experts to establish the value of otherwise-difficult-to-value losses.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Case?
You can hire our law firm by signing a contingency fee agreement. Rather than pay upfront, you’ll agree to pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict. You won’t have to worry about paying unless, and until, we receive compensation for your losses.
Can I Recover Any Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in Missouri?
Missouri follows a relatively victim-friendly pure comparative negligence law. If you do share some fault (likely because you provoked the dog or failed to mitigate damages), your damages award will be reduced. You’ll be responsible for your own share of fault.
For example, if the defense proves you were 25% responsible, you can only take home 75% of your compensation.
Our Attorneys in Kansas City Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
At the Cohen Law Firm, we represent clients with all types of dog bite injuries, including:
- Deep puncture wounds and torn skin
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries
- Damages to muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations and internal injuries, often caused by severe infections
- Catastrophic injuries
Dog owners and their insurance companies often try to downplay a victim’s injuries. In reality, many victims require extensive ongoing medical care, reconstructive surgeries, and rehabilitation. These procedures can be intensely painful–and may change your life in unanticipated ways.
Our lawyers understand the potential impacts. We know how important the compensation you receive will be to your future. We’re prepared to fight for every dime–so contact us today for a free case review.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite Injury in Missouri?
Missouri has adopted a five-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. That means you have five years from the date the dog bit you to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to take legal action before five years pass, you’ll have let the responsible parties off the hook.
Contact an Experienced Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Our team at the Cohen Law Firm has years of experience fighting on behalf of injured clients and their families, and we’re prepared to fight for you. Call us today to learn more about how an experienced Kansas City dog bite lawyer can help you recover the money you need and deserve.