Dogs have truly earned their title as “man’s best friend.” Tens of millions of American households have dogs, and they are often considered to be members of the family.
Unfortunately, dogs can also be dangerous — especially toward humans that they are unfamiliar with. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 4.7 million dog bite incidents in the United States each year, of which 800,000 are serious enough to require medical care.
At Holland Injury Law, LLC, our personal injury practice includes vigorous representation of dog bite victims. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog you don’t own, our attorneys can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
You have many options when you search for a St. Louis dog bite lawyer. Holland Injury Law, LLC, stands out for our decades of practice focused on injury law and complex insurance disputes. We’ve recovered over $300 Million for our 7,000+ clients in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys work on contingency, meaning our law firm only gets paid if we recover compensation for you. From our offices in Clayton, we’re here to serve clients throughout the St. Louis area.
Here are some of the most common dog bite scenarios in the St. Louis area:
Children in neighborhoods or apartment complexes bitten by an escaped dog
Guests injured during cookouts, parties, or family gatherings
Bites in parks and on sidewalks when owners ignore leash laws or lose control of their animal
Mail carriers and delivery drivers attacked while working their routes
Dog-on-dog incidents that lead to someone being bitten while separating animals or protecting their own pet
A lawyer from our St. Louis-area law office can review your situation and identify all potential insurance coverage, supported by our work in premises liability and slip and fall claims involving unsafe property conditions.
Under Missouri law, a dog owner or possessor is strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is on public property or lawfully on private property, if the bite was not provoked.
This strict liability rule means the injured person does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had bitten anyone before. In other words, Missouri dog owners don’t benefit from a “one free bite” rule. However, if the injured person shares some fault because they provoked the dog, for instance, the court may reduce their compensation.
Most St. Louis dog bite claims fall under Missouri’s five-year statute of limitations for personal injury. In general, this means you have five years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit, although special rules apply in cases involving children and certain defendants. At Holland Injury Law, LLC, our dog bite lawyers serving St. Louis can review deadlines and protect your claim.
Responsibility for a dog bite can extend beyond the person holding the leash. Our attorneys may pursue claims against:
Dog owners or caretakers who had control of the animal
Landlords or property managers who knew a dangerous dog lived on the property and failed to act
Employers, when a dog is used in a business setting, such as a security animal
Homeowners or renters insurance carriers that insure the property where the dog lives
A dog bite can cause serious injuries that last long after the wound closes. Our St. Louis law firm frequently sees:
Puncture wounds and deep lacerations that require stitches or surgery
Nerve and muscle damage that affects grip strength, mobility, or balance
Facial scarring and disfigurement may call for reconstructive or cosmetic procedures
Emotional trauma and PTSD, especially for children, who may wish to avoid parks, pets, or social settings due to their trauma
Infections and rabies concerns that require vaccines, antibiotics, and follow-up care
You may be able to recover compensation for a variety of economic and non-economic losses, including:
Past, ongoing, and anticipated future medical bills
Lost income, including lost future earnings
Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Scarring and disfigurement
Costs of mental health treatment
Simple actions after an attack can help your health and your legal case:
Get medical care right away, even for wounds that seem minor.
Take photos of injuries, the scene, and any torn clothing.
Gather witness names and contact details.
Identify the dog and owner so vaccination records and insurance information can be obtained.
Report the incident to Animal Control or local authorities.
Reach out to Holland Injury Law, LLC, for a free consultation with a St. Louis dog bite lawyer.
Holland Injury Law, LLC, uses a structured approach to dog bite claims in St. Louis:
Case Review – An attorney listens to what happened and explains your options.
Investigation – Our law firm gathers reports, photos, videos, and witness statements.
Medical Documentation – We collect records and, when needed, consult medical experts about future care.
Insurance Claim Management – Your lawyer deals directly with the adjuster, so you do not have to.
Negotiation and Litigation – We push for a fair settlement and are ready for trial if that is the best path.
Here are the answers to some of the questions we receive from St. Louis-area dog bite victims who come to Holland Injury Law, LLC, for legal support.
No. Missouri’s strict liability statute allows an injured person to recover even if the dog never bit anyone before.
Yes. In many cases, homeowners or renters insurance pays the claim. A St. Louis dog bite attorney can explain how to pursue compensation while respecting personal relationships.
Civil dog bite claims focus on money damages, not punishment. Animal control agencies decide what happens with the dog based on their own rules and the facts of the incident.
You may have grounds to file both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate dog bite claim against the owner. Our lawyers can coordinate both cases.
Most victims have five years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit under Missouri law.
Attorney Bill Holland is the founding lawyer of Holland Injury Law, LLC, and has built a St. Louis-area law firm known for thorough preparation and client-focused service. He has tried and resolved complex personal injury cases across Missouri and Kansas, earning a reputation for clear communication and determined advocacy in court.
A dog attack can change your life in seconds, but you don’t have to figure out the legal process on your own. When you work with Holland Injury Law, LLC, you get a St. Louis-area dog bite lawyer who understands Missouri law and cares about your recovery.
Contact Holland Injury Law, LLC, today to schedule a free consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your options, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward after a dog bite.
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