Since 1957, Pettit Law Office has provided compassionate, results-oriented legal representation to clients who have suffered life-changing injuries. If you feel that you have been injured due to the negligence of others, let us help you get the justice you deserve.
Aurora Personal Injury Lawyers
Missouri gives injury victims five years to file a civil claim under RSMo 516.120, a window that covers car accidents, animal attacks, and most other negligence cases. That deadline closes faster than it sounds once medical treatment, insurance negotiations, and evidence collection eat into it. Pettit Law Office has represented injured clients in Aurora and Lawrence County since 1957, through three generations of the same family.
Car Accidents in Aurora and Southwest Missouri
US 60 bypasses Aurora to the south, and Routes 39 and 265 carry heavy local and through traffic straight into town, with I-44 access nearby in Mount Vernon. Collisions on these roads make up a steady share of the car accident claims this firm handles. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule under RSMo 537.765: a driver can recover damages even if found partially at fault, with the award reduced by their percentage of responsibility rather than barred outright.
Insurance adjusters routinely use that comparative fault rule to shift blame and lower settlement offers. Building a strong car accident claim means documenting the scene, medical records, and lost wages before the insurer's version of events sets the narrative.
Animal Bites and Attacks
Missouri is a strict liability state for dog bites under RSMo 273.036. An owner is liable for a bite that happens without provocation while the victim is on public property or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog had bitten anyone before. The five-year filing deadline under RSMo 516.120 applies to these claims as well.
Fault can still reduce a recovery. If a victim provoked the animal or was found partially responsible, Missouri's comparative fault rule lowers the award rather than eliminating it. Pettit Law Office builds animal bite and attack claims around animal control records, medical documentation, and the property owner's insurance coverage.
At Pettit Law Office, our skilled workers' compensation attorneys in Aurora are committed to providing the help you need. Call us at (417) 222-6640 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Workers' Compensation Claims
Missouri employers covered under Chapter 287 RSMo must carry workers' compensation insurance, and an injured employee must give written notice within 30 days under RSMo 287.420 to preserve eligibility for benefits. The Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation oversees claims for medical treatment, wage replacement, and permanent disability, and Aurora's manufacturing, food production, and agricultural employers generate a steady volume of these cases.
A dispute over benefits does not end a claim. An employee can request a conference or hearing through the Division of Workers' Compensation if an employer or insurer denies coverage. Full detail on filing a claim and available benefits is on the workers' compensation page.
Millions Recovered for Injured Clients in Lawrence County
Case results published by the firm include a $6,500,000 car accident settlement, a $732,000 rear-end collision settlement, and a $527,000 premises liability verdict. Those figures came from cases built on medical documentation, accident reconstruction, and negotiation with the same insurance carriers that adjust claims across Southwest Missouri. See the full record on the case results page.
Three Generations of Trial-Ready Representation Since 1957
Scott Pettit, James Pettit, and the late Walter S. Pettit Jr. represent multiple generations of a family-owned firm that has practiced in Aurora since 1957. The firm prepares every personal injury, animal attack, and workers' compensation claim as if it were going to trial, a posture that changes how insurance carriers value a settlement offer before a case ever reaches the Circuit Court of Lawrence County. Read more about the firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Missouri?
Five years from the date of the crash under RSMo 516.120, though evidence and witness recollection weaken well before that deadline arrives.
What if I was partly at fault for my accident?
Missouri's pure comparative fault rule under RSMo 537.765 still allows recovery, with damages reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you rather than eliminated.
Is a dog owner automatically liable if their dog bites me?
Under RSMo 273.036, yes, if the bite happened without provocation while you were on public property or lawfully on private property. Prior knowledge of the dog's temperament is not required to establish liability.
What happens if my employer disputes my workers' compensation claim?
You can request a conference or hearing through the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation. Missouri law also prohibits employer retaliation against a worker for filing a claim.
Our Aurora workers' compensation lawyers advocate strongly for victims and have recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. Call Pettit Law Office at (417) 222-6640 for a free case evaluation today.
Meet Our Team
A Commitment to Quality Since 1957
3 Generations, 60 Years in Practice, Decades of Experience
Our personal injury attorneys in Aurora are second-, third-, and fourth-generation lawyers with a long history of success. When representing our valued clients, compassion and justice are our highest priorities. As a family owned and operated law firm, we treat clients like our own family. With decades of experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and skill to help our neighbors in Aurora and Southwest Missouri resolve their legal matters favorably. Whether you are seeking compensation for injuries related to a car accident or need to file a workers’ compensation claim for a workplace injury, Pettit Law Office is the firm to call.
Client Testimonials
Compelling Stories of Recovery
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“I am extremely satisfied after 12 years of representation.”- Casey C.
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“James was kind, knowledgeable and kept us informed during our whole process.”- Kari L.
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“Always very timely in responding and very knowledgeable in what they do!”- Trenton P.
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“They handled the process to take stress off my family and to reach a fair settlement.”- Billy R.
Millions Recovered for Our Clients
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$732,000 Settlement Rear-End Car Accident -
$527,000 Verdict Premises Liability
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$6,500,000 Settlement Car Accident
