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Meet Attorney Chuck

I’m Attorney Chuck Chionuma, and my mission is to win big for you. Our Black-owned law firm is rooted in the community and ready to fight for you. My law firm is located right here in Kansas City, and we focus mainly on Personal Injury Cases.

I’ve won against top insurance companies and have a track record of million-dollar recoveries for my injury clients. Don’t take chances with your legal issues; reach out to me, and let’s make things right.

My experience isn’t just about the 30+ years I’ve been in practice but also about the kinds of complex cases I’ve won. I’ve secured $28 million in a product liability injury case, $12 million in an aviation accident, and many other substantial amounts in different personal injury cases. And if you’re dealing with a personal injury or accident, you can trust me to bring that same level of dedication to win for you too.

So don’t wait. If you’re stuck, call Chuck.
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Kansas City DOG BITE LAWYER

If you’re looking for a Dog Bite Lawyer in Kansas City, visit Chionuma Law Firm. With 37 years of experience, we fully comprehend the physical, emotional, and financial toll a dog attack can inflict. While accidents can occur when an injury from a dog bite happens, and it’s not your fault, you deserve a dedicated advocate who will fight for your rights and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need to recover and move forward. Our extensive knowledge of dog bite law in Kansas City positions us as the perfect ally in your corner. We are committed to hearing your story, understanding your needs, and delivering the supportive guidance and representation you deserve during this challenging time.

Don’t handle the burden alone. Contact Chionuma Law Firm now for expert guidance and representation.

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Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer - Everything You Need To Know

Dog bites may seem like a common injury, but they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Over 500 dog bite claims are filed annually in the Kansas City area alone. And many more incidents likely go unreported.

I know—dogs are man’s best friend. But when those pearly whites sink into your skin, your four-legged pal can unexpectedly become your worst enemy.

Dog bite injuries run the gamut from minor puncture wounds to severe mauling. Children under 12 are frequent victims, accounting for 60% of severe bite cases. No one expects their fun-loving Golden Retriever to snap suddenly…but any breed can attack if provoked.

That’s why having an experienced Kansas City dog bite lawyer in your corner is critical after an incident. Navigating complex local laws and negotiating with insurance companies is an uphill battle.

At the Chionuma Law Firm, our Kansas City dog bite lawyer have helped hundreds of residents recover damages after dog attacks. Here’s what we can do for you:

Investigate Liability

Determine if negligence or strict liability laws apply based on case specifics. Gather witness testimony and evidence regarding the dog’s history and containment.

Assess Your Injuries

Work with medical experts to fully evaluate the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. Identify future treatments and care you’ll need.

Calculate Owed Compensation

Add up current and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of limb/function, disfigurement, emotional trauma, etc.

Negotiate on Your Behalf

Act as the liaison between you and insurers. Persuasively communicate how the incident has affected you to maximize compensation.

Take Legal Action If Needed

If insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, we won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit to fight for your rights in court.

Suffering from a dog attack is bad enough without having to fight to cover costs, too. Getting experienced legal help ensures you receive the maximum compensation owed under Missouri or Kansas law so you can fully heal—physically and financially.
Here are the critical first steps to take after a dog bite incident:
  • Seek prompt medical care and document all injuries/treatments
  • Report the incident to animal control and the police to initiate an investigation
  • Secure contact information and statements from witnesses
  • Take photos documenting bite wounds, location, the dog involved, etc.
  • Contact our law firm or trusted dog bite lawyer in Kansas City immediately—don’t communicate with the insurance company until you have legal guidance.
The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights every step of the way. Don’t waste time worrying about dog bite claim costs. We work on contingency, meaning legal fees only come from your final settlement.

Maximize your compensation with our experienced team. Schedule your free consultation today to learn how we can help.

Liability Laws for Dog Bites in Kansas City: What You Need to Know
Dealing with a dog bite injury is stressful enough without figuring out Missouri and Kansas liability laws on your own. Rules differ between states—and even cities within those states—when holding dog owners accountable.

Partnering with an experienced dog bite attorney in Kansas City is critical. At the Chionuma Law Firm, our attorneys stay up-to-date on the latest statutes so we can build an airtight injury claim on your behalf.

Let’s break down what you need to know about dog bite liability here in KC:
Missouri Dog Bite Laws

Missouri operates under strict liability statutes when it comes to dog bites. This means the animal’s owner is responsible for injuries and damages REGARDLESS of whether the dog has a history of aggression or biting.

The critical factors for Strict Liability in Missouri are:
  • The wounds were caused by a dog bite (not just knocking someone over, etc.)
  • The injured person didn’t provoke the dog.
  • The injured person was legally allowed on the property when the incident occurred.
This strict liability concept overrides the “One Bite Rule” many states still follow. Missouri dog owners can’t hide behind claims that “this is my dog’s first offense!” if their companion attacks someone.
However, Missouri dog bite cases can also fall under general negligence laws if the incident didn’t involve biting. Negligence versus strict liability simply shifts the burden of proof to the victim. We’d need to show that:
  • The dog owner failed to restrain their dog (leash laws apply) properly.
  • The owner was unable to train the dog adequately or intervene during aggressive behavior.
  • The owner neglected necessary precautions despite awareness of prior incidents.
Kansas Dog Bite Laws
Kansas statutes are decidedly more complex. This state still utilizes the traditional “One Bite Rule” for liability in dog-related injury cases.
Under this rule, the first bite incident gets a “free pass”—even if the injuries are significant. To have a valid claim, the victim must prove the owner knew or should have reasonably known their dog might bite.

The evidence we gather to meet this burden of proof includes:

  • Past biting/aggressive incidents with humans or other animals
  • Breed history showing hereditary aggressive tendencies
  • Proper leashing/containment procedures not followed
  • Dangerous dog classification paperwork from local authorities
  • Witness statements regarding behavior.
You can imagine how intensely insurance companies fight these battles. Even severe mauling incidents go uncompensated at times under these murky laws.
Local Ordinances Expanding Liability

Thankfully, many Kansas and Missouri cities and municipalities fed up with the outdated “One Bite” rule have enacted expanded liability ordinances.

Kansas City, MO, mandates dogs be leashed in public areas. Roeland Park, KS, requires muzzles and enclosed pens for dangerous breeds. Independence, MO, makes harborers and owners strictly liable when bite incidents occur on public property.
These patchwork regulations mean dog bite liability varies widely across the Kansas City metro based on location specifics. Let our lawyers determine which laws apply to your incident location so we can build the most substantial injury claim possible.

With an intricate web of statutes in play, filing a dog bite lawsuit without an attorney well-versed in local ordinances is highly unwise. At the Chionuma Law Firm, our Kansas City dog bite injury lawyer have decades of combined experience securing maximum compensation for clients—even when insurance companies fight us tooth and nail. Navigating dog bite laws can be complex. Let our experts make it simple. Contact us now to secure a knowledgeable advocate.

Securing Damages and Compensation for Dog Bite Victims in Missouri
When a dog attack turns your life upside down, you deserve compensation to get back on track. Recovering from distressing injuries, juggling medical appointments, and missing work quickly causes expenses to pile up—not to mention the emotional toll.

An experienced Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer in your corner levels the playing field when negotiating your settlement. Dog bite claims should cover ALL losses tied to the incident so you can heal physically and financially.

Here are some common categories of economic and non-economic damages we make sure clients receive fair compensation for after a dog mauling:
Economic Dog Bite Damages  
These cover quantifiable losses with paper trails like:
  • Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy
  • Lost income: Missed work time plus future loss of earning capacity
  • Permanent disability costs: Home healthcare, mobility devices, modified vehicle
  • Property destruction: Clothing, shoes, bags, etc. destroyed in attack
Noneconomic Dog Bite Damages
More complex to calculate but just as critical, non-economic damages account for the mental, emotional, and physical trauma you endure:
  • Physical pain/suffering
  • Emotional distress: Fear, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, etc.
  • Loss of enjoyment/quality of life
  • Disfigurement from scarring
  • Loss of companionship/consortium
Calculating Your Dog Bite Claim Value

Documenting every impact resulting from the attack is critical to maximizing compensation. The experienced dog bite attorney in Kansas City at Chionuma Law Firm leverage medical evidence, expert testimony, and other records to substantiate these losses.

We’ll work closely with your doctors to understand the needed prognosis and treatments.
Counselors can evaluate emotional trauma. Vocational experts can assess long-term earning impairment. Our reputation with local judges and insurance carriers means we can compile a compelling claim package backed by evidence.

Although no formula or calculator exists to determine precise settlement amounts, key factors include:

  • Severity of injury (temporary vs. permanent disability/disfigurement)
  • Necessary medical interventions
  • Impact on quality of life/ability to work
  • Duration of recovery time
  • History of aggression/biting by dog/breed

Settlement negotiations also hinge primarily on the liability attributed to the dog owner. You can avoid leaving thousands in compensation on the table with an Dog Bite Injury Attorney in Kansas City.

Contingency Fee Arrangements
Best of all, retaining the Chionuma Law Firm costs nothing upfront. We operate on contingency, meaning our fee is a fixed percentage of your final settlement. This saves clients out-of-pocket costs while giving us added incentive to achieve maximum claim value on every case.

Don’t wait to seek experienced legal help—the clock starts ticking to file a claim as soon as an attack occurs. Contact the dedicated Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer at Chionuma for a free consultation and comprehensive case review today. Then, leave the negotiations to us while you focus on healing.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Being bitten by a dog turns life upside down instantly. Your likely first instincts are to attend to injuries, contact loved ones, and process the trauma. Reporting details to authorities and gathering evidence may be furthest from your mind.

But initiating an investigation immediately is critical for two reasons when pursuing a dog bite claim:

A knowledgeable Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer like the Chionuma Law Firm in your corner eliminates worry and stress during this sensitive time. Our legal team promptly launches a rigorous inquiry to support maximum injury claim value on your behalf.

Here are the investigative steps we initiate right away:
  • Review incident specifics by interviewing victims and witnesses while events remain fresh. We also examine conditions, locations, containment methods, and other situational specifics that could have contributed.
  • Secure photographic evidence of injuries sustained, clothing/bags destroyed, wound locations on the body, environment hazards, dog(s) involved, and anything else relevant. Pictures provide invaluable visual support.
  • Obtain medical documentation via HIPAA release immediately to link treatments directly to the dog attack. We request imaging, specialist referrals, prognosis details, and other records.
  • Initiate background checks on dog(s)/owner involved, including veterinary history, prior complaints, breed reputation, etc. Any previous concerning incidents further solidify claims.
  • Connect with first responders like animal control and police to review details documented. Their initial incident reports contain critical liability statements and breed/behavior assessments.
  • Research local ordinances related to breed restrictions, leashing, containment, and licensing. Violations of these administrative rules strengthen claims substantially.
  • Consult veterinary specialists for perspective on contributing circumstances, mitigating actions by the owner, and prognostics around aggression rehabilitation. Their expertise further proves foreseeability.
  • Interview neighbors/community to help establish history and notice of danger. A pattern of negligence adds validity to the failure to rehabilitate or contain accusations.
Skilled Kansas City dog bite attorney knows investigations provide the teeth behind injury demand letters.

Ready to start your journey towards justice? Reach out to Chionuma Law Firm today and let us help you from the first step to the final settlement.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases in Missouri and Kansas
After a traumatic dog attack, grappling with the legal claims process is likely the furthest thing from your mind initially. But the statute of limitations looms large when injuries and losses drag on for months or years post-incident.
These legal filing deadlines dictate how long an injured party has to take legal action and pursue compensation against a negligent owner. Miss the deadline, and your claim could be barred forever—no matter how severe the damages.

That’s why consulting an dog bite accident lawyer in Kansas City promptly is critical for dog bite victims in Kansas City. Rules vary between Kansas and Missouri, as well as among metro municipalities. Determining which precise statutes apply and calendar reminders will fall solely on your shoulders without proper legal guidance.

Let’s break down critical limitations periods affecting dog bite claims locally so you know what to expect:

Missouri Dog Bite Claim Limitations

Missouri statute establishes a five-year window from the incident date for victims to file a dog bite injury lawsuit seeking damages.

So, if you suffered bites or other attack wounds on March 15, 2023, you would need to officially file a claim in civil court by March 15, 2028, for consideration. (Insurance settlement negotiations may continue past court deadlines, though.)

Exceptions exist, allowing more time in exceptional circumstances—the key is the victim’s age. Minors have until their 20th birthday to file suits related to Missouri dog bites sustained during childhood. Other extensions may relate to the defendant’s absence or hard-to-spot injuries.

An experienced Dog Injury Lawyer in Kansas City like those at the Chionuma Law Firm will know how to navigate nuances around age, discovery rules, and exact timing scenarios that might allow some deadline flexibility.

Kansas Dog Bite Claim Limitations

Our close neighbors to the West handle these legal logistics quite differently. Kansas statutes impose a two-year deadline to file personal injury lawsuits stemming from a dog attack.

So Kansas residents bitten or otherwise wounded by a dangerous dog have just half the amount of time as Missourians to take formal legal action if fair insurance settlements don’t materialize quickly enough.

The clock starts ticking from the date of injury—not when final treatment occurs or the permanency of disability or markings can be determined. It pays to enlist a Kansas City Dog Bite Lawyer shortly after emergency care to avoid unexpectedly backing yourself into an expired claims corner.

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Does Chionuma Law Firm Only Provide a Car Accident Lawyer in Kansas City, MO, or Statewide Services?
Not only operating as a personal injury lawyer in Jackson County, Chuck and his team has no geographic limits, focusing on the entire Metro Kansas City area:

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Frequently Asked Question

Puncture wounds, nerve damage, broken bones, tears/lacerations, and infection rank among the most frequent physical dog bite traumas, often requiring reconstructive surgeries. Children and elderly victims tend to suffer more catastrophic damage. Emotional and psychological effects like PTSD and fear also take a heavy toll.
In Missouri—typically, yes, thanks to strict liability laws. Kansas statutes still rely on the archaic one-bite framework, forcing victims to prove owner negligence. However, local ordinances across the metro continue expanding owner accountability. A dog bite lawyer Kansas City intimately familiar with the patchwork of laws is invaluable.
Expenses tied directly to the incident, like medical bills, lost income, medication, disability equipment/home modifications, and property destruction, are reimbursable. Less tangible effects on your quality of life also factor in pain/suffering, emotional trauma, facial scarring, loss of enjoyment, and more.
NO! At Chionuma Law Firm, we operate on contingency, meaning we only collect IF we secure your compensation. Our fee comes directly from the final settlement amount as a fixed percentage—you have no upfront costs or outstanding lawyer balances ever when we represent you.
First, a thorough independent investigation of your incident collects evidence showing negligence by the owner or animal control. Next, we craft persuasive demand letters with substantiated proof of guilt. If insurers won’t negotiate appropriate settlements, we file within the statute of limitations and aggressively litigate through the court system.
In Missouri, dog bite victims are protected under strict liability laws, meaning the dog owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of the dog’s previous behavior. You have the right to seek compensation for your injuries without the need to prove the owner’s negligence.
Kansas adheres to the “One Bite Rule,” which means the dog owner is generally held liable if they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. This rule requires proof that the dog had the propensity to cause harm, which can be shown through previous aggressive behavior.
You can seek various types of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In severe cases, you might also claim compensation for permanent scarring, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life.
In Missouri, you have up to five years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. In Kansas, the timeframe is much shorter, with only two years to initiate legal action. It’s crucial to consult with a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within these time limits.
Yes, seek medical attention immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Report the incident to local animal control or the police to have an official record. Gather contact information from witnesses, and if possible, take photos of your injuries and the location where the attack occurred. Then, contact a dog bite lawyer to discuss your case.

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