Your Minnesota Dog Bite Law Firm

An attack by a dog can happen in unexpected places. Walks through the park or neighborhood can leave you injured and needing medical attention. According to the CDC, there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites suffered in the United States every year with approximately 800,000 of those bites needing medical attention.

A dog or animal bite injury does not end when the wound heals. The physical effects can linger, and the bodily and psychological scarring can last a lifetime. Bites often can require reparative and plastic surgery, and it is not uncommon for victims to need physical therapy.

It is important to contact an experienced dog bite attorney to understand your rights if such an event occurs. Allow us to handle the issues surrounding liability and insurance, while you focus on caring for yourself. Contact our dog bite accident lawyers at 612-INJURED today at (612) 465-8733 for a free consultation to answer your questions about your rights and options after being injured by a dog attack.

What to Do after a Dog Bite

1. Get contact information from all parties, including owner and witnesses. Aside from your claim, knowing who the owner is will be important in avoiding a series of rabies shots.
2. Get pictures of your wound and the attacking dog.
3. Report the attack. This includes both police and animal control.
4. Seeking medical attention should be a priority. If you are bleeding profusely, this step to be the first.

Dangerous Dog Classification in Minnesota

According to Minnesota Statute §347.50, a dangerous dog is one that has inflicted substantial damage to someone without provocation, killed a domestic animal without provocation, or has been found to be potentially dangerous. People in the neighborhoods surrounding such dogs are then dependent on the dog’s owner to fulfill a duty to keep them safe from their pet. Any breach of this duty can make them liable for injuries caused by their dog.

Severity of Dog Bites

The biggest risk with dog bites is infection. These include cellulitis, staph, and strep. Approximately half of all bites result in this with diabetics and immunocompromised patients more at risk. These types of infections can lead to hospitalization and IV antibiotics. There is also the possibility of catching rabies, which is deadly if not promptly caught and treated.

1. Level 1: Dog acts aggressively but the teeth do not touch skin
2. Level 2: Dog’s teeth touch skin but does not puncture
3. Level 3: One to four of dog’s teeth puncture skin with no punctures exceeding half the length of canine teeth
4. Level 4: One to four of dog’s teeth puncture skin with at least half the length of canine teeth
5. Level 5: Multiple level four bites
6. Level 6: Victim is killed

Minnesota Has Strict Liability

Even if a dog has acted not aggressively in the past, the owner is still liable for a dog bite in Minnesota. As long as you were on the property legally, did not antagonize the dog, and you were injured, the owner is liable.

It Does Not Have to Be a Bite

You can get injured by dogs or other pets in a variety of ways. Cats scratch. Large dogs can knock you down. Even a friendly dog at the dog park can cause an injury with which you can bring a claim. If a large dog gets excited while the owner is aggressively playing with it, knocks you down, and breaks your wrist, you have a claim.

Who pays for my dog bite injury?

Most likely, this will fall on the homeowner’s insurance of the owner of the dog. Even if the injury did not take place at the home of the owner, the homeowner’s insurance will still cover the bite.

Of course, not all animal owners will have insurance. The owner would then have to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, wage loss, and other damages. Even future medical expenses are factored into a claim. Either way, it is good to have an experienced dog bite attorney to represent you to ensure you get the best possible outcome.

What if the Dog Belongs to a Friend or Family?

You may consider not pursuing a claim because the pet belongs to a close friend, neighbor, or family member. The last thing you might want are strained relations with someone familiar. If the owner is close to you, then they will likely be more concerned with you getting your medical treatment and wage loss covered rather than their insurance premiums increasing.

If you bring a claim, the issue will be handled between your attorney and the insurance company. The process is not a contentious standoff between you and your friends and family. Also, keep in mind that your friend, neighbor, or family member has homeowner’s insurance for reasons like this. It is important that you get covered to ensure you get the care you need.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for a dog bite is six years, which is true across all personal injuries in the state. Timeliness is important in bringing a claim. Particularly if you are nearing the statute of limitations for a dog bite you suffered, it is important to talk to an experienced dog bite attorney to make sure you get the settlement you deserve.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Dog Bite?

Even if an insurance company acknowledges their client is liable for the dog bite you suffered from their pet, they will still look for ways to not pay you what you deserve. We have seen settlement offers that do not even cover a client’s medical bills, let alone wage loss and pain and suffering. We understand how insurance companies work, that they are for-profit entities looking to make money, and make sure you get a fair settlement for your injury.

Why Choose Us?

The experienced dog bite lawyers at 612-INJURED will work hard on your claim. We have worked with several dog bite and animal attack victims and have made sure they got the settlements they deserved. We have seen a variety of injuries and will treat you and your case individually, taking into consideration your specific circumstances. Call or text us at (612) 465-8733.