A dog attack is a frightening, traumatic event. As you focus on recovering from your injuries, you may also be left wondering how you will pay the medical bills, deal with lost wages, and manage the long-term cost of a severe injury. The reality is that the financial recovery process is rarely simple, because you aren’t dealing with the dog owner; you are dealing with a large, powerful insurance company.
In Missouri, dog owners are held accountable for the actions of their pets. However, enforcing that liability means going to battle with the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider. At Sticklen & Sticklen, we are here to fight for you, ensuring that an insurance adjuster doesn’t undervalue or flat-out deny your valid claim.
The Truth About “Strict Liability” and Insurance Companies
Missouri is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, meaning that dog owners are financially responsible for your injuries even if they had no prior knowledge of their dog’s aggressive tendencies. This legal standard should make the claims process straightforward, but it rarely does.
In the vast majority of cases in the Columbia and Joplin areas, the resulting claim is filed against the dog owner’s insurance policy. While this is the appropriate avenue for recovery, the insurance company’s first priority is their own bottom line, not your well-being. They will deploy every possible tactic to reduce their payout, regardless of what Missouri law dictates. This is why having an experienced personal injury firm on your side is not optional—it is essential.
The Insurance Company Playbook: Tactics Used to Deny or Reduce Your Claim
Insurance providers often use a standardized approach to minimize or deny dog bite claims. Being aware of these tactics is the first step in protecting your rights:
The Allegation of Provocation
The most common defense used by insurance adjusters is to claim that you provoked the dog. They will try to twist the facts of the incident to suggest you were somehow responsible for the attack. Under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule, they know that proving you are even partially at fault can reduce the amount they have to pay. Our job is to counter this immediately with a rapid investigation, witness statements, and evidence that proves your claim was unprovoked.
Policy Exclusions and Limits
Sometimes, the insurance company will try to escape liability entirely by citing a policy exclusion. This can include exclusions for certain dog breeds, or for a dog that has a prior history of aggression. They may also claim your injuries exceed the policy’s liability limits. These are complex insurance issues designed to confuse victims, and we are ready to analyze the policy language and hold the carrier accountable.
Delaying and Devaluing Your Recovery
Insurance companies rely on delay and documentation requests to frustrate and exhaust victims. They may ask for excessive paperwork or postpone decisions, hoping you’ll become desperate enough to accept a low-ball settlement offer. Furthermore, they will often try to downplay the severity of your long-term injuries, ignoring the significant costs of scarring, emotional trauma, and necessary future care.
How Sticklen & Sticklen Holds Insurers Accountable
You are not just a claim number. The team at Sticklen & Sticklen is committed to taking decisive action on your behalf from day one. We take over all communication with the insurance company, shielding you from their aggressive tactics. We gather the necessary documentation—including medical records and specialist opinions—to prove the full extent of your physical and non-economic damages, ensuring they cannot simply call your injury “minor.”
When the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and go to court. We fight to secure the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and the long-term impact on your quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a dog in the Columbia or Joplin area, your first call should be to an attorney, not the insurance company. The adjuster’s goal is to minimize your claim, and anything you say can be used against you. Contact Sticklen & Sticklen today for a free consultation. We will handle all communication and take the fight directly to them.