Getting Compensation for Victims Negligently Injured by a Dog or Other Animal
Dog attacks are unpredictable and terrifying, often leaving the victims with severe injuries, scarring, and emotional trauma. Dog owners are responsible for preventing such attacks from happening by keeping their pets behind a fence or on a leash. Additionally, if the animal tends to be aggressive or bite, the owner must warn any person who is trying to approach it of potential danger.
However, if an accident occurs, even if all rules are followed, the owner is still liable for the damages of the victim.
Damages in a Minnesota Dog Bite Attack
If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog and suffered:
• A physical injury
• Emotional trauma
• Significant financial strain
• Physical scarring
You might be eligible to get compensated for your damages.
You need to make sure that you seek medical attention immediately after the attack and keep track of all your hospital records. Additionally, you should document your injuries and collect the name and phone number of the owner of the dog as well as any witnesses.
You have to report the attack to the nearest police department or animal control agency.
Finally, before you take any further action, contact the experienced attorneys at Sand Law LLC, who can help you navigate through the process of receiving compensation.
Dog Bite and Animal Attack Overview
Dog bites require immediate medical attention not only due to the severity of the injuries that they could potentially cause but also because such bites often transmit diseases, such as rabies.
Nearly 4.5 million people become victims of dog bites each year, according to the Center for Disease Control. Most of these victims are children between the ages of 5 and 9 who often end up suffering not only from disfigurement and scarring but also from psychological disorders, such as PTSD.
The dog owner or handler is required to take measures to prevent their dog from biting a person, especially if it has previously shown signs of aggressiveness. Failure to do so is considered negligence; therefore, the owner will be held accountable for any damages that their pet could have caused.
In order to get compensated for their suffering, the victim must locate the owner of the dog and prove that they were negligent in handling their pet.
However, if the dog has been found to be “potentially dangerous“, the victim is entitled to recovery regardless of whether the owner committed negligence.
Preventing Dog Bite Accidents
Sometimes dog bite accidents occur as a result of intentional or unintentional provocation of the animal. Small children are extremely vulnerable to such accidents since they often approach pets with curiosity and without realizing that they might be disturbing them.
Some ways to prevent dog bite attacks include:
- Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies
- Never approach a dog that is barking or growling
- Never pet a dog without asking the owner for permission first
- Dogs tend to guard their homes; therefore, don’t pet a dog that is behind a fence
- If a barking dog approaches you or your child, try not to run or scream, but stand still until the animal loses interest
Common Diseases from Dog Bites that Can Cause Human Illnesses
Besides physical wounds, dog bites can cause various illnesses depending on whether or not the animal has been vaccinated. Additionally, 50% of dog bites introduce bacteria to the wound, therefore, increasing the chances of an infection.
Some of these illnesses include:
- Bacterial Infections
- Various Worms
- Rabies
- Lyme Disease
- MRSA
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Salmonellosis
- Mange
For more detailed information about each disease, visit www.cdc.gov.
Understanding Minnesota’s Dog Bite Law
According to the Minnesota Dog Bite Statute, if a dog bites a person without that person provoking the attack in any way, the owner or handler of the animal is responsible for any damages that the victim suffers “to the full amount of the injury sustained.”
Do Not Trust the Insurance Companies
In case you become a victim of a dog bite attack, the first thing to do is to contact a skilled attorney. Don’t accept any claims or compensation from insurance companies or owners without consulting an expert first. This way, you avoid settling for less than what you might have otherwise acquired.
Insurance adjusters will contact you after the accident, sometimes pretending to be someone they are not (a friend, relative of the injured) in order to gain your trust. This tactic is designed to make you accept the lowest possible offer, which favors the insurance company but not the victim.
Can I Sue the Dog Owner if I Was Bitten in Minnesota?
If you or someone close to you has been bitten by a dog while acting peacefully and being lawfully on the property when the attack happened, you are entitled to receive compensation for your physical and psychological damages.
The recovery will most likely be paid from the dog owner’s home insurance policy and will cover hospital bills, future medical treatments, psychological therapy, and loss of wages.
Why Choose Sand Law?
If you live in Minnesota and need help filing a claim against a dog owner whose animal attacked you, contact the experienced attorneys at Sand Law. You can feel confident that we will fight for you to receive maximum compensation for the damages you have suffered.
Speak with a Minnesota Dog Bite Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a dog bite or animal attack in Minnesota, contact us online or by calling 651-291-7263 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Our team has helped numerous people receive compensation for their physical pain, emotional distress, and monetary loss due to personal injury.