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Dog Bite Lawyers in Minnesota
Minnesota lawyers representing victims of dog attacks
Dog attacks can lead to serious injuries that are sometimes life-altering, disfiguring, and even fatal. While Minnesota law applies strict liability to dog bite claims, pursuing one of these cases can still be challenging. At Bradshaw & Bryant, we help victims hold negligent dog owners accountable and fight for fair and complete compensation for their injuries. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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How we can help you
- Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC for your Minnesota dog bite case?
- How common are dog bites?
- Understanding Minnesota’s dog bite laws
- What to do after a dog bite in Minnesota
- Common injuries from dog attacks
- How much is a Minnesota dog bite case worth?
- Who pays for your injuries after a dog bite?
- Defenses dog owners may try to use (and how we fight them)
- Special considerations in child dog bite cases
- Do you have a Minnesota dog bite attorney near me?
Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC for your Minnesota dog bite case?
At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we put our decades of experience handling personal injury claims, including complex dog bite cases, to use when it comes to representing those harmed by animals. We pursue aggressive litigation and negotiation strategies for each of our clients. Our track record includes successful representation of clients who suffered scarring and trauma from dog bites. If you need legal representation and support, reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you.
How common are dog bites?
According to Dogs Vets (a resource for dog lovers):
- About 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year.
- About 800,000 Americans need medical attention for dog bites each year.
- Between 5 and 15 percent of dog bites cause infections.
- Nearly ½ of all dog bite victims are children. Many of the bites are in the child’s head and neck because children are closer to the size of a dog.
The dog breeds that are most known for fatal dog bites are pit bulls, rottweilers, and German Shepherds.
Understanding Minnesota’s dog bite laws
In Minnesota, dog bites are a strict liability legal issue. What this means is that dog owners are automatically liable as long as:
- Their dog attacked or injured a person.
- The victim was lawfully present (not breaking into or trespassing on the owner’s property).
- The victim didn’t provoke the dog.
Importantly, the owner doesn't need to know that the dog had potentially aggressive tendencies, and there is no requirement that the dog bit someone in the past.
While this policy does seem to favor the victim, getting the compensation you need following one of these incidents can still be a challenge.
Victims of dog bites (and their parents) can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim if the attack occurred:
- Inside the dog owner’s home.
- In the dog owner’s yard.
- At a dog park or any location open to the public
What to do after a dog bite in Minnesota
If you suffered injuries in a dog bite incident in Minnesota, you need to protect yourself and preserve your legal claim for damages. Here are a few steps to take in order to achieve these goals:
Seek medical attention immediately:
This is true even for minor wounds. Dog bites often result in serious infections.
Report the bite to local animal control or police:
You will want there to be a record of the incident and your injuries.
Identify the dog and owner:
You need their information, so, if possible, get their name, and take photos of the dog and scene.
Preserve evidence:
If you have torn clothing, medical records, and photos of injuries, those can be useful for your claim.
Avoid giving statements to the dog owner’s insurer without legal counsel:
Your lawyer can help you negotiate with and handle your communication with the other party, their insurance company, or their lawyer.
Make sure you speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you avoid saying or doing anything that could hurt your efforts to recover damages.
Common injuries from dog attacks
While some dog bites might lead to minor injuries, the harm can be severe and life- altering. Here are some of the possible outcomes:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Facial injuries and permanent scarring (this is especially common with children)
- Infections (including rabies, sepsis, and tetanus)
- Nerve damage or loss of limb function
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, or PTSD
- Possible bone fractures from falls during an attack
Sadly, some cases result in death. Wrongful death claims are possible in these extreme cases, which tragically tend to be more common with vulnerable victims like small children or the elderly.
How much is a Minnesota dog bite case worth?
It’s impossible to give a specific estimate for dog bite settlements. The outcomes vary significantly based on many factors, including:
- The severity and type of injuries.
- Whether there is a need for surgery, rehab, or scar revision (plastic surgery).
- How much you lost in wages or earning potential.
- The severity of your pain and suffering / emotional distress.
- Whether the bite led to permanent disfigurement, especially serious scarring on the face.
- The impact of the injury on your quality of life.
- Whether the victim is a child.
The insurance policy limits and dog owner’s assets can also impact the claim’s outcome. You can get a much better sense of how all of these factors may play out in your case by discussing your situation with your lawyer. In rare cases, you may even be able to recover punitive damages, which are intended to penalize particularly wrongful conduct.
Who pays for your injuries after a dog bite?
In many cases, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will cover the damages in a dog bite claim. Coverage for such policies ranges, depending on the policy limits. If the owner lacks insurance to cover the injuries, it might be possible to go after their assets. Your lawyer can help you identify all possible avenues for recovering damages for your injuries.
Defenses dog owners may try to use (and how we fight them)
Dog owners, their lawyers, or their insurers may attempt to fight against your claim. Some common defenses we’ve seen include:
The provocation defense
The dog owner may argue that the victim provoked the dog. If a victim was aggressive with the dog, kicked it, hit it, or otherwise did something that would reasonably lead an otherwise gentle animal to lash out or try to protect itself, this can damage the injured person’s ability to recover compensation.
If the dog owner attempts to argue this defense, we can work to combat it by gathering witness testimony, expert evidence, and other information to build a convincing claim.
Trespassing defense
Like the provocation defense, the trespassing defense seeks to shift blame away from the owner and their dog and onto the victim. If a victim is unlawfully on the dog owner’s property, this can damage the ability to recover compensation for injuries.
We may argue that our client was on the property legally, or look for other exceptions available in Minnesota law. For instance, if a child is involved, the standard would be different. Additionally, there are reasonable grounds for people to enter another person’s property – such as if they are a postal worker, utility worker, or trying to retrieve a runaway child or pet.
Comparative fault
While insurers and defense lawyers often try to shift blame onto the victim in a dog bite case, this defense may not prevent compensation – even if it is partially true. In Minnesota, the comparative fault policy allows injured individuals to recover compensation as long as they are 50% or less to blame for their injuries. While the damages may be reduced if the victim is partially at fault, the court will still allow them to recover something for their injuries.
Our lawyers can work to minimize the share of liability assigned to our clients so that we can recover a higher percentage of compensation. For instance, if the victim is partly at fault, the defense may attempt to assign them 60% of the fault because it will bar any recovery. So on a $10,000 claim, the victim would get nothing. If you’re able to successfully show the victim is only 40% at fault, then the victim can recover 60% of the damages, or $6,000.
Special considerations in child dog bite cases
Children are the most common victims of serious dog bites. They are smaller, making them more vulnerable, and they may not recognize signs that a dog might be dangerous. Young children may even accidentally provoke a dog. The law will be more forgiving of possible provocation by a young child, and judges will not often be compelled by such arguments by the defense.
Our attorneys know what it takes to handle these claims and to fight for compensation that can help the family give an injured child the care and treatment they need. This might include serious medical expenses for reconstructive or plastic surgery and other costs.
Do you have a Minnesota dog bite attorney near me?
Yes. We meet victims of dog bites and animal attacks at 1505 Division Street in Waite Park, Minnesota, and 701 Xenia Ave. S., Suite 565, in Golden Valley, Minnesota. We can meet clients in other locations when necessary, or schedule consultations on the phone or through video calls. We’re here to help. Reach out and we can work to find a way to meet your needs.
Contact Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC today to discuss your dog bite case
If you or your child sustained injuries because of a dog in Minnesota, don’t wait. Dog bites can cause serious injuries that lead to costly and painful results. Contact Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced, compassionate lawyers.