Minneapolis Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites can leave victims with severe psychological and physical damage, and treatments can be expensive. If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, contact the experienced Minneapolis dog bite lawyers at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. We can determine your eligibility for filing a dog bite lawsuit and help you get the compensation you deserve.
The old adage says dogs are man’s best friend. However, they unfortunately bite people sometimes, including young children. These attacks often cause significant physical and emotional harm. Fortunately, Minnesota law holds owners responsible if their dog bites anyone, whether an adult or a child. Those injured can seek compensation for their injuries from dog owners and handlers.
Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., can help if you or your loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog. Our trusted Minneapolis personal injury lawyers have years of experience helping adult and child dog attack victims in Minnesota.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, we can analyze your case and determine your eligibility for pursuing a dog bite lawsuit for compensation. If you are eligible, you can recover compensation, usually through the responsible party’s homeowners insurance. The dog attack lawyers at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., can negotiate with insurance companies and hold negligent parties accountable.
Dog Bite Settlements Paid Through Homeowners Insurance
In Minnesota, dog owners bear strict liability for any injuries inflicted by their pets, regardless of their mental state or fault. Thus, dog bite victims do not need to prove that the animal’s owner or handler was negligent. If you suffer a dog bite or an injury from a dog attack, you can even hold the owner accountable for your injuries, even if they attempted to prevent the attack or apologized. The only circumstance where this rule does not apply is if the dog bite happened in a location where you were not authorized to be.
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies provide coverage for dog bite victims’ losses. To recover damages through the liable parties’ homeowners or renters insurance, follow these steps:
- Hire a dog bite lawyer: First, find a skilled Minnesota dog bite lawyer for your case, such as the ones at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. Make sure they have significant experience handling cases like yours.
- Identify the liable party: Once you have hired a Minnesota dog attack lawyer, they will analyze your case to determine the liable party or parties. They will then contact the dog owner’s homeowners insurance company to submit an insurance claim.
- Negotiate for a settlement: Your lawyer will handle all settlement discussions with the liable party’s insurance company and lawyer. You may be entitled to receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your medical costs, lost wages, and other quantifiable losses. Non-economic damages cover the subjective, harder-to-quantify impacts on your life, such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Pursue legal action: If the insurance company disputes liability or refuses to offer a fair settlement, you may choose to file a lawsuit against the dog owner. A skilled and experienced lawyer will file the paperwork, litigate your case, and represent you at trial if necessary.
Talk to Milavetz Injury Law’s Minnesota dog attack lawyers to learn more about average dog bite settlements in Minnesota.
Most Common Types of Dog Attacks in Minnesota
In Minnesota, there are three common types of dog attacks: a dog attacking a child, a dog attacking an adult, and a dog attacking another dog.
A Dog Attacks a Child
Attacks on children, unfortunately, are Minnesota’s most common type of dog attack. According to the Minnesota Safety Council, dog bite-related injuries are highest for children ages 5 to 9.
Examples of scenarios where a dog would bite a child include the following:
- A territorial or scared dog may bite a child playing in a park without adult supervision.
- A dog may bite a child if the child accidentally surprises or wakes a sleeping dog.
- Improperly socialized or trained dogs may bite children due to a lack of familiarity with them.
Children are more likely to be bitten for several reasons. Children are often very excited to play with dogs and want to pet them even when they show signs of fear or aggression that adults might recognize. Children are also more likely to behave inappropriately towards dogs by pulling their tails, hair, or ears.
In addition, due to their height, they are often at the same level as dogs. This makes them easier targets, especially for a dog bite on a child’s face.
A Dog Attacks an Adult
Dogs may also attack adults in Minnesota. Here are some scenarios of when a dog could bite an adult:
- A person leaves a dog in their car with the windows rolled down, and a dog bites a person walking by.
- A dog attacks a courier or mail carrier delivering a package.
- A dog owner is walking their dog when another dog attacks their dog. The dog owner is bitten by the second dog when they try to stop them from fighting.
A Dog Attacks Another Dog
Last but not least, dogs commonly attack other dogs. Examples include:
- A large dog attacks a smaller one.
- A person walks their dog when a loose dog approaches and attacks it, severely injuring their dog.
- A dog may get overly aggressive while playing with other dogs at a dog park.
- A person leaves their dog at a dog hotel for vacation, and another dog attacks it.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
If another person’s dog attacks you, your child, or your pet, you may be eligible for compensation under Minnesota dog bite laws. After the attack:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Infections are common and can complicate the healing process. Certain complications can even be life-threatening. The hospital will document the situation in medical records, creating a crucial paper trail linking your injuries to the dog bite.
- If your pet is injured, take your pet to the vet immediately.
- Get as much information from the dog’s owner as possible, including their name, their dog’s name, contact information, and insurance information.
- Report the dog bite to the police or your local animal control.
- Speak to a dog bite lawyer at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., to learn more about your legal options.
How Long Do You Have To Sue for a Dog Attack in Minnesota?
Contact a lawyer immediately if a dog has attacked you or a loved one. Minnesota has a six-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, which typically cover dog attacks. If someone died from the dog bite and you are suing for their wrongful death, the deadline is three years. While this may seem like plenty of time, it can be easy to let things slip by. Book a free consultation with Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., to learn more about your next steps. Our team has the knowledge and resources to meet all deadlines.
Contact a Minneapolis Dog Bite Lawyer at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A.
Call Minneapolis dog bite attorneys at Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., for a case evaluation if a dog attack has injured you or your child. Our compassionate and trusted lawyers have the skills and experience to determine whether the dog owner is responsible. We can hold dog owners and handlers liable for the injuries and obtain maximum compensation from their homeowners or renters insurance.
You can contact us by completing our online form or calling 763-878-6709. We have experience handling dog attack cases involving children and adults. We can also assist with other Minnesota premises liability cases.
FAQs
What are the most common injuries in Minnesota dog attacks?
The most common injuries in Minnesota dog attacks are neck, face, hands, and head injuries. Dog bites can also cause puncture wounds, nerve damage, and broken bones.
Can you seek compensation for non-bite injuries?
Yes, you can seek compensation for non-bite injuries associated with a dog attack. For instance, a dog may trip someone or lurch and knock someone down. Talk to a Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., dog bite lawyer to learn more about your options.
Can I file a claim if I provoked the dog?
No. You can only file a claim against the dog owner if the dog was unprovoked. Minnesota’s dog-bite statute applies the theory of strict liability, but the victim must prove they acted peacefully, were lawfully on the property, and did not provoke the dog.
However, the dog owner may claim you provoked the dog to reduce liability. Our Minneapolis dog bite lawyers can determine whether you provoked the dog.
Does Minnesota Have a ‘One-Bite’ Rule?
No, Minnesota has not adopted the “one-bite” rule. Under such a rule, owners are only liable if they knew or should have known the animal might harm someone. The name of this theory comes from the notion that an animal gets one free bite. Instead, Minnesota follows a strict liability rule, meaning a dog owner or handler is liable regardless of their fault or mental state.
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