Dog Bites

Dog Bite Injuries

What to know

• Dog bites are among the most common traumatic injuries caused to children.
• The dog owners’ ignorance of the dogs’ biting propensity makes no difference under Minnesota law.
• The dog owner is liable for injuries caused by the dog, even if there was no “attack”. 
• No actual “contact” between the dog and the injured person is required.
• As long as the injured person was not trespassing, or provoking the dog, liability is absolute. 

In Minnesota, many of the injuries caused by dogs subject the dog owner to strict liability, meaning, other than trespass and provocation of the dog, there are no defenses. The “dog bite” statute applies beyond dog attacks, even to inadvertent injuries. For example, we successfully litigated a case where a Plymouth woman delivering a package was startled by dogs jumping against a patio door.  Our client was startled and fell off a deck step and fractured her hip (though there was no contact between her and the dogs).  We brought her case to trial and prevailed after the insurer refused to negotiate. 

In a different case we represented a Buffalo resident riding bike on a public bike path when a dog ran out to intercept the bike, causing the rider to brake hard and fly over the handlebars. No contact occurred, and after the fall, the dog simply returned to its home. We were able to make a six-figure recovery for the injured person, though there was no evidence to suggest the dog intended to attack.

We definitely can help with any legal issues resulting from dog bites. We have handled numerous simple to complex dog attack cases. 

People often assume that unless the dog owner knows of the dog’s biting propensity, the owner is not liable for a dog bite injury. This is false. There is no “one free bite” law in Minnesota. As long as the person injured was lawfully present on the property (including mail carriers and delivery persons) and as long as the injured person was not provoking or antagonizing the dog, the owner has no defenses, whatsoever. 

Don’t Wait To File Your Claim

When filing a claim due to an animal attack, time is definitely of the essence. Acting quickly can help strengthen your case and make sure that you are compensated for any physical or emotional damages experienced as a result of the injury – regardless of whether this was their pet’s first injury-causing act. Ensure you understand how negligence laws in your area apply so you recover what the law allows. Call us today at 763-682-1082 for a Free initial consultation.

Free initial consultation, no fee, if no recovery.