Though dogs are seen as man’s best friend, sometimes circumstances and temperaments can change that. When a dog attacks, it can lead to serious injury and trauma.
Thankfully, there are legal actions that people can take to gain reparations for the incident. When preparing a dog bite claim, there are a few key elements to be aware of.
Reporting
A report is a great start to creating a paper trail for a claim. Depending on the severity of the incident, it may be possible to complete it at the scene. However, if the damage is severe, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately and complete the accident report as soon as possible. The local animal control service, the police department and the nearest fire department are all possible options for filing a report.
Treatment
After any accident, it is important to receive medical care. Not only can physicians treat abrasions and other physical injuries, but they can notice the signs and check for internal injuries as well. If the physician suggests follow-up treatment, it is best to follow that instruction. This helps to ensure that treatment is effective, as well as enhance the paper trail for the claim.
The claim
The claim process begins with the claimant filing a claim with the court. Some parties may seek to settle outside of court. However, if that does not occur and the case goes to court, both sides have a chance to argue their stance and present any possible evidence. It can be helpful for claimants to review the dog attack laws that are in place in Missouri, to make sure that they have a valid case. With Missouri’s strict liability rule, the common defense for a dog owner would be to show that the claimant provoked the dog. Therefore, it would be beneficial if the claimant is ready to disprove this notion.
An attorney can help explain the details of the law and assist a victim in determining the best course of action.