Whether you consider yourself to be an animal lover or not, there is nothing that could justify being bitten by someone else’s dog. When someone is bitten by a dog, emotions tend to flare, and this can lead to the injured party and the dog owner having significant claims as to what caused the injury.
Dog bites can leave lifelong physical and emotional scars. Once you are injured by a dog bite in Minnesota, a flow of seen and unseen scars can creep into your life at any point after the dog attack. Those who have been bitten by a dog in Minnesota have protection under the law in Minnesota. Every Minnesota dog owner has responsibilities, and victims of dog bites have enforceable rights.
Minnesota’s Dog Bite Law
In Minnesota,ย dog owners or anyone who harbors and keepsย a dog will be liable if the dog bites someone or causes an injury to someone in another way, like causing them to fall. Laws in Minnesota call for strict liability of dog owners in a variety of circumstances.
Underย Minnesota Statute Section 347.22, anyone who is injured due to a dog bite may hold the owner of the dog liable for injuries if the following apply:
- The injured party was acting peaceably and was lawfully in a place, whether the property was private or public
- The injured party did not provoke the dog into attacking and biting
Making a claim for compensation for injuries resulting from being bitten by a dog can be a complex process, involving a variety of laws on every level. While the dog bite laws in Minnesota do apply to dog owners and anyone who is harboring or keeping the dog, the owner of the dog will take the primary liability that results from the dog bite incident.
How Do Victims of Dog Bites Make a Claim?
Every dog attack is different, but every attack that involves someone being bitten by a dog should be taken seriously. A dog that bites one person is more likely to do the same to someone else. A dog bite compensation claim overseen by Swor & Gatto takes the best course of action in proper order to build a solid and worthy case.
Many people are not familiar with the types of dog bite injuries that can rise to the level of a dog bite injury claim. Many people are under the impression that the dog bite has to result in skin tears or bleeding. However, this is not always the case. A valid dog bite injury claim can be made for the following reasons:
- Bruising
- Scarring
- Puncture wounds
- Damages to clothing or personal items
- Tissue damage and/or nerve damage
- Emotional trauma
- Physical trauma
How Is Fault Determined in a Dog Bite Injury Claim?
Compensation claims against dog owners can be brought in situations that include:
- The dog owner encouraged the dog to attack
- Failing to take the proper steps to ensure the dog does not attack
To proceed with a dog bite injury claim, sufficient evidence is required. This includes proving the dog owner breached his/her duty of care. This may seem like a simple task, but victims of dog bites need an experienced negotiating power on their side to achieve the best outcomes.
What Can Victims Claim After a Dog Bite Injury?
As with the majority of personal injury claims, dog bite injury claims can cover more than physical injuries. Examples of claims include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Rehabilitation services
- Pain and suffering compensation
Compensation for a dog bite injury will consider several factors, such as the extent of injuries, cost of medical bills, amount of lost wages, etc.
If you have been bitten by a dog and the attack did not involve provocation, you may be eligible to claim compensation. At Swor & Gatto, we are here to help with every aspect of claiming compensation regarding dog bites.ย Contact usย today to schedule your consultation.