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St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney

The Midwest's Most Effective Injury Law Firm

1,000s of Satisfied Clients

$1 Billion+ Recovered in Compensation

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

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A dog bite is a bite that causes harm to another person or animals that was inflicted by a dog. Often, successive bites are referred to as dog attacks, although this can also include scratches and other injuries that may occur from falling. Dog bites and attacks can cause long-term trauma, cause infections, lead to disfigurement, temporary or permanent disability, and even death in rare cases. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury in or near St. Louis, request a free case evaluation from a lawyer at Brown & Crouppen Law Firm.

Our personal injury law firm has helped recover over $1 billion in compensation for clients, including cases involving dog bite injuries. Get help with your case from a dog bite lawyer at Brown & Crouppen Law Firm by calling (314) 501-9510 or requesting a free case evaluation online.

Table of Contents

Why Choose The St. Louis Dog Bite Attorneys At Brown & Crouppen?
How Our St. Louis Lawyers Help Dog Bite Victims
Legal Considerations For Missouri A Dog Bite Claim
Request A Free Case Evaluation From A St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney
Related Reading

Why Choose the St. Louis Dog Bite Attorneys at Brown & Crouppen?

Legal Guide For Dog Bites & Attacks

Use our dog bites & attacks guide to make a full recovery and understand key legal considerations.

Dog bites and attacks can cause long-term emotional trauma (PTSD), and result in serious injuries that can permanently change someone’s life.

Our lawyers have recovered millions in compensation for dog bite injury victims since our firm’s founding in 1979.
Our personal injury lawyers in St. Louis hold dog owners accountable for injuries.
Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win. There are no upfront legal fees or costs to hire a dog bite lawyer at Brown & Crouppen.
With a team of over 250 legal professionals, our law firm has the resources needed to win your dog bite case, and provide ongoing support and communication.

If you or a loved one was involved in a dog attack, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for damages.

Our attorneys can help you seek compensation for the following types of damages:

Medical costs: Injuries from slip and fall accidents often require medical attention. This can include urgent medical care, surgery, emergency transportation, and physical therapy to complete recovery. Common slip and fall injuries include broken bones, contusions, and fractures but can also include those that are more severe such as a traumatic brain injury. Our slip and fall attorneys can help no matter what injury resulted from the accident. They can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses.
Lost wages: In some slip and fall accidents, victims are not able to work due to the severity of their injuries. The attorneys at Brown & Crouppen take lost income into account when seeking your financial compensation.
Non-economic damages: Damages that are intangible are referred to as non-economic damages. This includes pain & suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and permanent disfigurement or disability.
Punitive damages: Additional compensation may be awarded by a Missouri court if the property owner was determined to act in a way that was egregiously insidious.
Property damages: A slip and fall lawyer can also help you recover compensation for personal property that may need to be repaired or replaced as a result of the accident.

How Our St. Louis Lawyers Help Dog Bite Victims

Our St. Louis dog bite attorneys are highly experienced, and know how to exercise your rights after a dog bite attack in Missouri. The attorneys at Brown & Crouppen know how to navigate Missouri dog bite laws, and can ultimately help you recover financial compensation.

A dog bite claim can recover compensation for:

Medical bills (past, present, and future
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost quality of life
Permanent or temporary disability
Property damage or repairs

Upon choosing our firm, a dog bite lawyer will help evaluate the events that occurred, determine the value of damages, help file a claim and demand letter, handle communication with insurance companies, and act in your best interests to ensure a successful dog bite case.

If the dog owner’s insurance company is unwilling to provide a fair settlement, our trial lawyers are prepared to take your dog bite lawsuit to court in order to get results.

I received excellent service from Brenda, she was very knowledgeable and explained everything. I really appreciate Brown and Crouppen this was my second experience with them and the service was impeccable.

Paula Scearce

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR MISSOURI A DOG BITE CLAIM

Case Value

How much you get from your case will depend on many factors. The average dog bite settlement is worth approximately $84K. However, each case is unique, and settlement amounts will vary depending on your unique circumstances and case details.

Case Timeline

On average, dog bite cases settle within a year and a half. However, each case is unique, and there are many factors that can affect how long a claim takes to settle.

The Missouri Dog Bite Statute

The Missouri dog bite statute (RsMo 273.036) states that the owner of any dog that bites is liable for damages suffered by the dog bite victim, regardless of the dog owner’s knowledge of the dog’s viciousness.

Additionally, the statute states that the dog owner is liable for any property damage or damage to livestock, and is subject to a fine under Missouri’s common law that may not exceed $1,000 (this is in addition to the payout of any damages).

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?

In Missouri, an individual has 5 years from the date of the dog attack or bite to file a claim OR 5 years from the date that the injuries were discovered.

Despite Missouri’s 5-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, it’s recommended to proceed with a case much sooner. This is due to the decay of evidence over time (such as testimonies from witnesses, documentation, and other case considerations).

What Happens If I Miss the Missouri Statute of Limitations Deadline?

If you miss the 5-year deadline, your claim will likely be denied and attempts to file a dog bite case with the court will be dismissed.

No Such Thing as 1 Free Bite Rule

In Missouri, there is no such thing as a 1 free bite rule. In the event that a dog bite has resulted in an injury, the dog’s owner or possessor may be held liable for damages.

What If My Child Has Been Attacked by a Dog?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that nearly 4.7 million attacks related to dog bites happen each year with many of these attacks involving kids and children. If a dog has attacked your child, get help from Brown & Crouppen Law Firm. Our St. Louis dog bite attorneys have a long history of helping families pursue financial compensation and recovery.

Request a Free Case Evaluation from a St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite or dog attack in St. Louis or surrounding areas in the state of Missouri, get help from Brown & Crouppen Law Firm. A dog bite lawyer will hold the dog owner accountable, and help you recover compensation for your dog bite injuries.

Getting started with a dog bite case is easy. Get help from our legal team by calling us at (314) 501-9510 or requesting a free case evaluation online. We only get paid if you win.

Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.