If you’ve been injured in a dog bite accident, you may have a lot of questions about how the lawsuit process works. When should you file a lawsuit? How do you file a lawsuit? Our talented attorneys here at Sand Law are here to help you every step of the way.
What are Minnesota’s dog bite laws?
Section 347.22 of the Minnesota Statutes states that the injured person can hold a dog owner liable for injuries caused by the dog if:
- the injured party was lawfully in a place where they were bitten
- the person was acting peaceably, and
- they didn’t provoke or terrorize the dog in any way.
The statute also states that dog bite laws must follow “strict liability” rules. This means that if all of the above stipulations are true, the owner is liable for the injury even if they didn’t know that the dog would attack or bite someone.
In Minnesota, there are only two defenses to dog bite cases, provocation and trespassing. If the injured provoked the dog in any way, they might be liable for their own injuries, resulting in the case’s dismissal. If the injured party trespassed onto private property where the dog was and injured, the lawsuit could be dismissed.
How common are dog bite injuries?
About 4.4 million people are bitten by a dog in the United States each year. However, only 885,000 of those bites result in injuries that require medical attention. Most injuries are sustained by children in their own homes. Most other dog bites occur on private property when a dog isn’t properly secured. These accidents can occur when someone has been invited into someone’s home, like a friend.
What kinds of injuries can be caused by a dog bite?
Dog bites can cause a variety of serious injuries. It’s important to keep a detailed record of your injuries, so you’re able to describe them to the insurance adjuster. Many believe that dog bits only cause puncture wounds or lacerations, but serious dog bite injuries can worsen. A nasty bite could cause an infection. When not treated properly, that infection could require amputation.
Dog bites can also cause rabies, which can be deadly if it’s not treated right away. No matter what, you should always seek medical attention immediately after being bitten by a dog (or any animal) to ensure that you don’t have rabies.
Injuries from dog bites include:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Punctures
- Infections
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Crushing Injuries
- Scarring
- Nerve Damage
When should I file a personal injury claim for a dog bite case?
The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit because of a dog bite injury is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the injury to file your lawsuit. However, you should file the lawsuit as soon as possible after the injury occurs. That way, the events are fresh in your head, making it easy to file a personal injury claim against the dog owner.
How much compensation can I receive for my injury claim?
How much compensation you receive for your personal injury accident is determined by several different factors, including:
- the severity of your injury
- negligence
- amount of insurance coverage held by the liable party
- how much you’ve accumulated in damages
The more severe your injury is, the more likely it is to have a large impact on your life. The greater the change to your quality of life, the more compensation you’re likely to receive. In the same vein, the more severe your injury is, the more you’ll accumulate in damages from things like medical bills and lost wages.
How the liable party has handled the situation will also affect your compensation. Did they know that their dog was aggressive? Did they make reasonable attempts to keep them away from strangers?
If they were unaware of their dog’s behavior and apologetic, you’d likely receive less compensation than if they were aware and were grossly negligent in causing the accident, i.e., they did not attempt to keep their aggressive dog away from you.
While compensation varies greatly from person to person, Sand law’s average dog bite settlement for 2020 was $150,000. According to Quote Wizard, the national average for a dog bite claim payout is $43,653.
How can a Minnesota Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help my Case?
At Sand Law, our attorneys have years of experience working on dog bite cases. We’ve worked with many different insurance companies and have a firm track record and demanding a high settlement. Our proven track record and history of high settlement wins prove that we will work hard to make sure you receive the same high compensation.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog bite accident, please contact our talented attorneys here at Sand Law as soon as possible to have your case evaluated. Please contact us online using our chat box option or by calling us at 651-291-7263.