Kansas City Dog Bites Injuries Are Preventable
For many dog owners in Missouri and Kansas, their dogs are not just animals they have in their homes. Dogs are members of the family. They provide companionship, protection, and emotional support. Service dogs help individuals who have special needs. For many people, their dogs relieve stress and improve their overall wellbeing.
However, dogs are animals. They can and do bite. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, it is important to remember that any dog can bite.
All parents should know how to keep their children and family members safe from dog bites in Kansas City. They should also know what to do in the event of a dog bite, including when to call a Kansas City dog bite attorney.
Safety Tips to Avoid Dog Bites in Kansas City
At our personal injury law firm in Kansas City, we are often tasked with investigating dog bite injuries. However, there are certain safety tips you can take to protect yourself and your children from dog bites, such as:
- Teach children that they should never approach a dog without the owner’s permission
- Do not leave a young child alone with a dog, even if you know the dog
- Never disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies
- Never tease or startle a dog
- Teach children they should not roughhouse with dogs
- Do not approach an injured or sick dog
- Never try to take away a toy or object from a dog, especially when it is growling or bearing its teeth
- Teach children the warning signs that a dog might attack, low growls, bearing teeth, putting their ears back, etc.
- Never try to pet a dog through a fence
If a dog approaches you, stand still. Do not scream or run. Instead, avoid eye contact with the dog and wait until the dog moves away. Once the dog begins to move away, slowly back away from the dog.
It would help if you tried to put anything you can between yourself and a dog in the event of a dog attack. If you have nothing to protect yourself, fall to the ground and curl up in a ball. Interlock your fingers behind your neck and tuck your chin to your chest.
Teaching children how to avoid dog bites and what to do if they encounter a dog or are attacked by a dog could save their lives.
What to Do If a Dog Bites You or Your Child in Missouri or Kansas
Millions of people are bitten by dogs each year. It is estimated that over 800,000 dog bites require medical attention each year. If you or your child is bitten by a dog in Kansas or Missouri, you should:
- Apply firm pressure to the area of the bite with a clean cloth to stop the flow of blood – Call 911 for serious or life-threatening conditions
- Wash the area with soap and water, dry the area, and cover with sterile gauze
- Seek medical attention – Dog bites can cause serious health concerns, including infections, nerve damage, and disfigurement
- Take pictures of the dog bite to document the injury
- Notify the dog owner as soon as possible about a dog bite
- Ask eyewitnesses for their names and contact information
- Report the dog bite to the animal services department for Kansas City in Missouri or Kansas
When Should You Contact a Kansas City Dog Bite Attorney?
Dog bites are serious injuries. A dog bite could result in a lifelong impairment.
If a dog bites your child or bites you, dog bite laws in Kansas and Missouri provide you with certain rights, including the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages from the dog’s owner. However, dog bite claims can be complicated, and the laws governing dog bites in Kansas and Missouri are different.
Missouri vs. Kansas Dog Bite Laws
Dog bite claims in Missouri are generally subject to strict liability. However, dog bite claims in Kansas are typically based on the theory of negligence.
Having an experienced Kansas City dog bite attorney review your case can help ensure that you take the correct steps to protect your right to sue for damages after the injury. A dog bite victim deserves to be compensated for damages including, but not limited to:
- Medical expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Emotional distress and mental anguish, including depression, fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disabilities and permanent impairments
- Loss of income and benefits
- Reduced quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life
Severe Injuries from Dog Bites in Kansas City
A dog bite can cause physical scarring, but it can also cause emotional and mental trauma that might impact a person’s life forever. A person may develop an intense fear of dogs that could impair their ability to enjoy everyday activities.
The disfigurement from a dog bite can also severely impact an adult or a child’s ability to engage in regular activities because of embarrassment, anxiety, or depression.
A person bitten by a dog could develop life-threatening infections that require extensive medical treatments. In some cases, the damage to nerves and soft tissues may cause permanent impairments.
You deserve to be compensated fully for all damages caused by a dog bite or dog attack. A Kansas City dog accident attorney fights to ensure that the dog owner, property owner, and other liable parties are held responsible for your financial losses, pain, and suffering.
Contact a Kansas City Dog Bite Attorney for a Free Consultation
The Law Office of Kevin J. McManus handles dog bite cases in Missouri and Kansas. Contact our office to schedule your free consultation with a dog bite attorney in Kansas City by calling 816-203-0143 or completing our online contact form.
