Best Dog Bite Attorneys in Kansas City

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Kansas City, Kansas?

  You can call the Kansas City Police Department at 913-596-3000 for non-emergency concerns and services.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Kansas City, Kansas?

  Copies of the police report related to your case in Kansas City can be obtained from the Records Unit in the lobby of the Kansas City Police Department, located at 700 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101. There is no charge for the first five pages of reports.

• What are the potential damages dog bite victims can claim against negligent pet owners in Kansas City?

  In Kansas City, dog bite victims can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages caused by the incident. This compensation covers lost income, loss of consortium, and past, current, and future medical expenses. Additionally, victims may be eligible to claim damages for pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs, and punitive damages. It is important to keep in mind that dog bite victims must initiate a personal injury lawsuit within a two-year window starting from the date of the accident.

• It is a crime to keep a vicious dog in Kansas City?

  Yes. A local regulation in Kansas City criminalizes the ownership of aggressive dogs. In fact, the city has adopted legislation focused on breeds that are considered dangerous or have been involved in a higher number of reported attacks or incidents. While Kansas law does not specifically classify pit bulls as dangerous dogs, city regulations within the state ban the ownership and harboring of pit bulls within city limits.

• What is the legal concept governing dog bite incidents in Kansas City?

  Kansas City adheres to the state of Kansas's one-bite rule. Under this rule, dog owners could potentially avoid liability for injuries caused by their dog's first bite or attack on the basis that they had no reason to know or believe that their dog had a propensity to be dangerous. Much like a typical personal injury case, this implies that a personal injury attorney needs to establish the dog owner's negligence.

• Which legal principle is employed in Kansas City to determine the allocation of damages in dog bite cases involving shared fault between both parties?

  In Kansas City, the concept of modified comparative fault is employed in handling personal injury claims. According to this legal framework, the awarded compensation is reduced in proportion to the degree of fault attributed to the injured party for causing the injury. However, injured parties whose percentage of fault exceeds 50% are barred from obtaining any compensation for the claim.

• How can Kansas City dog bite victims prove that they did not provoke the dog that bit them?

  Dog bite victims in Kansas City can disprove a dog owner's argument that the dog was provoked through witness accounts and local security camera footage. The dog owner can present a self-defense claim on behalf of the dog, thereby releasing them from liability. Engaging in actions like crouching to offer a friendly hand gesture to the dog or speaking in a regular tone is not considered provocative behavior.