Your Northern Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys

We Can Help You Pursue Compensation For A Dog Attack

Few accidents are more horrific than animal attacks. Sadly, “man’s best friend” is often the perpetrator. Aggressive or unsocialized dogs can inflict extensive harm – not just physically but emotionally as well.

Emergency rooms see, on average, one dog bite injury every 40 seconds – that’s 800,000 injuries each year nationwide. And the victims are often young children with their whole lives ahead of them.

According to Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, more child injuries are reported due to dog bites than any other injury, including those involving playgrounds, bicycles, ATVs and skateboards combined. Life is never the same after such a devastating attack. Instead of looking forward to school and playdates and sports events, victims are faced with seemingly endless medical procedures as well as lasting physical and emotional scars.

We Are Here For You

At Hazelton Law Group in Bemidji, we are committed to helping dog bite victims throughout northern Minnesota get the compensation they need to build better lives. Our lawyers can represent you in pursuing financial recovery that takes into account not only your current medical expenses but also your losses down the road. That includes ongoing treatments, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Understanding Minnesota Dog Bite Law

Minnesota’s dog bite statute states that the owner of the animal involved is strictly liable for damages from an unprovoked dog attack. That means you don’t have to prove that the owner was negligent or the dog had aggressive tendencies.

Many dog bites or attacks involve dogs belonging to neighbors or friends. Therefore, some people are reluctant to report it, as they worry that their friends or neighbors will have to pay for damages. What they don’t realize is that most settlements can be funded by the homeowner’s insurance policy.

Under Minnesota dog bite law, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • All medical expenses
  • Cosmetic surgery for scar treatment
  • Therapy for emotional trauma
  • Lost wages
  • Torn clothing
  • Pain and suffering
  • Long-term disability or disfigurement

What Types Of Injuries Are Common In Dog Attacks?

The damage sustained in a dog attack can be serious, not only from bites but also from the dog jumping on, pushing or clawing the victim. A dog can also be responsible for startling someone, which can cause them to fall and hurt themselves. The main areas of injury tend to be around the neck and face, head and hands. An animal bite can also result in nerve damage, puncture wounds or broken bones.

Who Is Liable After A Dog Bite?

Minnesota law holds the owner responsible for their dog’s behavior, regardless of whether the animal has shown signs of aggression in the past. Even if the animal is overly friendly and jumps on people, it can be said to have a “vicious propensity,” which has little to do with the dog’s temperament or personality.

There are exceptions when the bite victim provokes the dog or was not acting peaceable before the attack; they could be considered responsible for their injuries. However, involuntarily provoking a dog, such as stepping on the dog by accident, does not relieve the owner of liability. Additionally, while the owner of the dog is primarily liable, if an animal attacks while under the care of someone else, such as a groomer or kennel, that individual could be viewed as the negligent party. Our lawyers can sort through the nuances of liability to ensure that we pursue all potential sources of compensation.

Hazelton Law Group Can Help You With Your Dog Attack Case

If you or someone you love has suffered a dog attack, you need a skilled and compassionate lawyer to help you get full compensation for the injuries sustained. Your financial recovery should also be sufficient to cover the future costs of treatments, which can be significant. Contact Hazelton Law Group today at 218-210-2043 so that we can provide a free, no-obligation review of your case. You can also reach out to us online.