Dog Bite Attorney O'Fallon
Legal Help After A Dog Attack In St. Charles County
A dog bite can turn a normal day into a trip to the emergency room, follow-up visits, and difficult conversations with the dog owner or an insurance company. Medical bills, worries about infection or scarring, and fear about what happens next can feel overwhelming.
At , we help injured people and families understand their options after a dog bite in O'Fallon and throughout St. Charles County. Our attorneys bring more than 117 collective years of legal experience, and our firm has been part of the local legal community for over 30 years. We offer free initial consultations for injury matters, and injury clients do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation. If you or your child was bitten by a dog, we can talk through what happened, help you understand Missouri law, and discuss practical next steps.
If you or your child was bitten by a dog in O’Fallon, speak with our legal team about what happened. A free consultation can help you understand your rights and next steps.
Why Choose Our Dog Bite Lawyers
Our team is based in Lake St. Louis and represents dog bite victims in O’Fallon and nearby communities in both personal injury claims and related legal matters. With more than 30 years serving St. Charles County, we understand local procedures and how cases move through the St. Charles County Circuit Court, which helps us set clear expectations and move your claim forward efficiently.
You work directly with an attorney who learns your story, reviews your medical situation, and builds a strategy around how the attack has affected your life. Because our firm handles personal injury, family law, and other practice areas, we can also help when a dog attack overlaps with insurance disputes, property issues, or family law concerns, and we are prepared to take a case to court when a fair settlement is not offered.
What To Do After A Dog Bite
- Get medical care right away. Dog bites can cause deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, and serious infections, and prompt treatment creates records tying the injury to the incident.
- Report the bite so it is documented, and the dog’s vaccination status can be checked. In O’Fallon, this may include contacting the O’Fallon Police Department or local animal control.
- Gather evidence early. Take photos of the injuries and the location, save discharge papers and follow-up instructions, and record the dog owner’s name, address, and insurance information.
- Identify witnesses and save their contact details.
- Be cautious with insurance calls. Avoid giving detailed statements or signing documents, and do not accept an early settlement before you understand the full impact of the injuries.
- When you are ready, speak with a lawyer. A free consultation can help you understand how the Missouri dog bite law may apply and what options you have.
Missouri Dog Bite Liability Explained
Missouri dog bite claims often involve insurance coverage, not a personal attack on a friend or neighbor. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover the loss, and the claim process usually focuses on available policy benefits rather than someone’s personal assets.
Liability depends on facts such as where the bite occurred, whether the injured person had a right to be there, and how the dog was controlled, and other parties, like landlords or property managers, may be involved if they knew about a dangerous dog and had control over the property. Compensation may include medical bills and future care, lost income, scarring or disfigurement, pain and suffering, and emotional harm, especially for children. A consultation can help identify coverage, apply Missouri law to your situation, and outline next steps within the time limits for personal injury claims.
How Our Firm Handles Dog Bite Claims
Serving Dog Bite Victims In O'Fallon
From our Lake St. Louis office, Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC represents dog bite victims across St. Charles County, including O’Fallon, with experience handling cases in the St. Charles County Circuit Court and navigating local procedures that can affect a claim. We know how to gather and use records from local agencies and medical providers, including police reports, animal control documentation, and treatment records from hospitals or urgent care.
We offer a free consultation to discuss what happened, answer questions about Missouri dog bite law, and explain what working with our firm would look like. You can start by phone or meet in person, and we focus on clear next steps and practical outcomes based on your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sue my neighbor after a dog bite?
Often, a dog bite claim is handled through homeowner's or renter's insurance, not by taking your neighbor personally to court. We can review coverage, explain options, and help you decide on an approach that balances your financial needs with your relationship concerns.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
For personal injury cases, including dog bites, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation. We explain the fee arrangement clearly before you decide whether to hire us.
What should I bring to our first meeting?
It helps to bring photos of your injuries, any incident or police reports, medical records or discharge papers, and any letters or emails from insurance companies. If you do not have everything yet, that is fine. We can still talk and help you gather what is needed.
How long do Missouri dog bite cases take?
The timeline depends on factors such as medical recovery, how quickly insurance companies respond, and whether a lawsuit becomes necessary. Some claims resolve in a few months, while others take longer. We discuss likely timing for your situation and keep you updated as the case progresses.
Can you help if my child was bitten by a dog?
Yes, we regularly assist families when children suffer dog bites. We pay close attention to medical needs, emotional effects, and the long term impact of scarring. Our attorneys work with parents to pursue a resolution that considers a child's future and provides clear guidance throughout the process.
If you or your child has suffered a dog attack in this area, you do not have to figure everything out on your own. Our attorneys at Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC are here to listen, explain your options, and help you take the next step in a way that makes sense for you and your family.
We offer free consultations for injury matters, and we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we obtain compensation. You can reach out today to discuss your situation and learn how a dog bite lawyer in O'Fallon can assist you.
Contact to review your dog bite case at no upfront cost. We are ready to answer your questions and help you move forward.
Why Choose Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC?
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Personalized Attention & Smart Representation
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We Have Been Named The Best Local Law Firm
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We Have 117 Years of Collective Legal Experience
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We Offer Free Case Consultations