Have You Been Injured by a Dog?
We are here to HELP!
Have you or a loved one been injured by a dog? Often times dog bites happen when they are least expected and It is important to talk to an experienced dog bite attorney immediately after sustaining an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, please call St. Louis Injury Attorney Michael Dalton at 636-734-1012. As always consultations are free and confidential.
Common Dog Bite Myths
The owners of the dog that bit me would have to compensate me directly. þ FALSE
Dog owners are often covered by their homeowner’s insurance policy for injuries that their dogs inflict upon others. It is part of the coverage they already pay for in their monthly premiums. The best avenue of recovery when someone has been injured by a dog is to file a claim with the dog owner’s homeowners/renters insurance company.
The dog owner admitted fault for the bite, so I don’t need an attorney. þ FALSE
All too often, the dog owner tells the injured party that they are sorry for the incident and it was completely their dog’s fault; however, that is often not the story they give to their insurance company. Dog owners sometimes realize that their insurance rates may rise due to their dog’s actions and change their story to deflect blame onto the injured party. It is important to get an experienced dog bite attorney working on the case as soon as possible to collect the animal control report and take statements.
I can negotiate my claim just as well as an attorney. þ FALSE
The insurance company for the at-fault party knows the odds of you prevailing in a lawsuit against them without the help of an attorney is slim to none. They hope you don’t hire an attorney because they know most people do not know how to exercise their rights. This equates to the insurance company offering you less than the fair value for your claim, which means less money in your pocket.
Dog Bite Scarring
Most of the time when a dog bites/attacks someone, there is some degree of scarring. Often, the scarring is extensive. It is important that a dog bite victim consult with a plastic surgeon and get an estimate for how much a scar revision surgery costs. It is important to remember that dog bite victims are legally entitled to recover for all of the injuries they receive from a dog bite/attack. This recovery includes the cost of future medical care and suffering. While it is not necessary that a dog bite victim elect to have the surgery immediately, they are certainly entitled to collect for the cost of a surgery if they chose to have it in the future.
Missouri and Illinois Dog Bite Lawyer
St. Louis Injury Attorney Michael Dalton is an expert at maximizing the recovery for a person who has been bitten/attacked by a dog. Michael is reconized as a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association and is available 24/7 to discuss your personal injury case. Please call 636-734-1012 for a FREE consolation. As always, you don’t pay if you don’t collect.