How Dog Bite Settlements Are Calculated in Missouri

Each year, the American legal system has to deal with a high number of dog bite cases involving children, the elderly, members of the public, and other domestic animals.

This comes as no surprise, considering the staggering number of canine pets in the country. According to Forbes, as of 2025, at least 65 million households in America own a dog. That means there is at least one dog in 40% of the country's homes.

As such, dog bite injuries are quite common. Such incidents can result in huge medical bills as well as a lot of pain and suffering for the victims.

In Missouri, dog bite victims can file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner and hold them responsible for any damages caused by their dogs.

One of the top dog bite attorneys in such situations is the Powell Law Firm in St. Louis. Victims can call right now to set up a free consultation. Our team can also consult on how slip and fall settlements are calculated in Missouri.

Average Settlement Amount for a Dog Bite Lawsuit in St. Louis

Dog bite victims can file a lawsuit and seek compensation for any damages suffered as a result of negligent dog owners.

In Missouri, many dog bite claims are usually settled for an average of between $30,000 and $40,000.

However, it is important to note that all dog bite cases are different, meaning victims can walk away with more or less than the average dog bite settlement amount.

How Missouri Dog Bite Claims Are Calculated

Due to the complexity of Missouri law and the emotionally charged atmosphere soon after dog bites occur, it can be quite difficult for anyone other than an experienced personal injury lawyer to estimate how much compensation the victim is entitled to.

Often, several factors need to be considered before dog bite claims can be settled, such as:

Severity of Injuries Caused by the Dog Attack

As with any personal injury lawsuit, the severity of injuries suffered by the victim plays a huge role in determining how much the dog bite injury case is worth.

The cost of medical expenses is usually the most important consideration. It is common for severe injuries to require extensive medical treatment, such as surgery.

In some cases, ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation may also be required, which will further increase the financial burden on the victim of the dog bite attack. For more details, a St Louis MO dog bite law firm may be able to help.

Lost Wages

If the injuries suffered by the victim are severe enough to prevent them from returning to work, the cost of lost wages will also have to be calculated.

Experienced St. Louis dog bite attorneys will use the victim's wage to determine how much money they lost while recovering from the attack.

If it turns out that the injured person will no longer be able to work at their full potential as a result of the dog attack, the reduction in future earning will also have to be considered.

Missouri's Dog Bite Laws

Where dog bite cases often become very complicated, is when it comes to navigating Missouri's dog bite laws.

There are some important points which might differ from other states, which further highlights the importance of having a local and experienced dog bite lawyer.

The following are three important considerations:

No Need to Prove Negligence of the Dog Owner

In some states, it may be necessary for victims to prove the defendant's negligence. However in Missouri, this is not the case.

The victim is not required to prove, for example, that the dog owner knew that their dog was dangerous. If the dog bites someone, they are held liable for the resulting medical bills and other damages.

Location of the Dog Attack

Determining the exact location of the dog attack is, however, very important. Usually, dog owners are only held liable for attacks that occur on public property or against victims who are lawfully on private property.

As such, if, for example, a person unlawfully enters a private property without the dog owner's knowledge and gets bitten by a dog, they cannot sue the owner for damages.

No One Bite Rule

The one-bite rule allows dog owners to escape liability for an attack that occurs as long as it is the first time the dog has bitten someone or shown signs of aggressive tendencies towards people or other domestic animals.

In Missouri, such laws do not exist, which makes it easier for victims to be compensated by negligent dog owners.

In other words, an animal does not have to be classified as a dangerous dog to allow any action to be taken against its owner.

Dog Owner's Insurance Coverage

Another important consideration is the coverage limit of the insurance company being held liable for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Whatever the limit is, effectively puts a cap on the amount that can be awarded to the victim.

Having an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer

Finally, due to the difficulty of applying Missouri dog bite laws and holding dog owners and their insurance companies liable, victims need a good dog bite lawyer on their side if they are to walk away with any compensation. They can also help with how workplace accident settlements are calculated in Missouri.

This is especially true when seeking the maximum settlement amount for non-economic damages, such as emotional distress and pain and suffering, which are subject to the court's determination.

What to Do After Victims Seek Medical Attention

Common sense usually leads most victims to seek medical treatment soon after being attacked by a dog. However, after they have been treated, many people are not sure what the next step should be.

In most cases, the following is often the best way forward:

• Gathering evidence and witness statements

• Collecting medical records and police reports

• Getting the details of the dog owner

• Hiring a good lawyer with experience handling cases of dog bites in Missouri

Hire a Top-notch St. Louis Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Victims who have suffered injuries after being attacked by a dog deserve to be compensated by the negligent owners.

In St. Louis, the Powell Law Firm is ready to help! Victims can visit its law offices today, or call now to schedule a free consultation.