Have you been bitten by a dog and need assistance? You may be able to recover damages against the dog’s owner. In fact, sometimes one who keeps or harbors dogs, although not the owner, may be liable for your injuries as well.
Speaking with a Raytown dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation. Reach out today to schedule an initial case consultation with one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys.
In Raytown, Missouri, the three causes of action you may be entitled to file against the owner or dog harborer could potentially be:
One who possesses a dog that he or she does not know to be abnormally dangerous is subject to liability for the harm done by the dog if: (a) he intentionally caused the dog to harm someone, or (b) he was negligent in failing to prevent the harm. To show negligence, you will have to prove you were owed a duty, the dog owner breached that duty to you, and you were damaged because of that breach.
This cause of action may be available only in rare cases.
In an action against a dog owner, the plaintiff must establish that the animal had a vicious propensity, and the defendant’s owner had knowledge of the animal’s vicious propensity. You cannot prevail, however, on a strict liability theory if you are a trespasser.
Punitive damages are available to people who have been injured by dogs or other animals in cases where the defendant’s conduct was outrageous. The statute of limitations for an injury following a dog (or any animal, for that matter) is five years in Missouri. R.S.Mo. 516.120.
Missouri has no dog bite statute. Instead, it uses the common law one-bite rule. Under this rule, the owner of a dog is not held liable for personal injuries caused by a bite unless the owner either knew or should have known that the dog was predisposed to bite people. A Raytown dog owner might also argue that an injured person was trespassing and that, therefore, the owner should not be liable for damages. Homeowner liability for injuries to trespassers is limited in many contexts, including dog-bite law. In Raytown, Missouri, you have two years to file an action based on a dog bite.
If youve been attacked by a dog in Kansas City, you need to speak with an experienced Raytown dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office to schedule your free consultation.
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