Dog bites can be minor or they can be serious. There are different scenarios that can occur in a dog bite case. Those scenarios include: the injury may be minor and the victim goes on, the injury may be minor and then later result in serious infection, the injury may be serious but heal rather quickly, or the injury may be serious and require extensive surgery and/or reconstruction.
The common theme in the above scenarios is that an injury occurred and that injury could potentially result in a dog bite injury claim. This claim is filed by an experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyer on behalf of the victim.
Helping You Win Compensation For Your Dog Bite Injuries
If you were legally on someone’s property when the dog attack happened, you are entitled to receive compensation from the person responsible for the dog. However, there are other factors that come into play depending on where you live. You may live in an area in the Twin Cities where leash laws are a factor. There are also laws regarding harboring an animal with the propensity to be dangerous.
Where you live or the geographic location of where the bite occurred can have an influence on the strength of your case. Even if the bite is a first offense for the dog and its owner, Minnesota law says you can recover compensation. If you have heard of the “one bite rule,” it no longer exists. This rule said that a dog was allowed one act of aggression before the owner would be responsible for the injuries.
You may also be able to sue someone other than the owner if that person was responsible for the attack. For example, a school may be liable if their staff allowed a person with an aggressive dog onto the property. A landlord could also be held liable if they had knowledge that their tenant had a dangerous dog.
You could recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and punitive damages. Common injury types include lacerations, head injuries, fractures, infections, rabies, and the emotional trauma that comes with the attack.
Protecting Your Rights
Your Minneapolis personal injury attorney will be able to help you exercise your rights and will build a strong case. You will need to identify the dog that bit you (if it hasn’t had rabies shots, you will and they are painful), get the license number of the dog (if there is one), see a doctor, save all records, take photographs right after the incident, be careful who you tell your story to, file a police report, avoid talking to the insurance company or property owners, and refrain from signing anything.
Your attorney will advise you on what you should and shouldn’t do in order to preserve the integrity of your case as much as possible. While the case may seem cut and dry, it is possible the attorney or insurance company for the other side will do everything to keep you from winning your case.
Contact A Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
Dog bites or any animal bite can cause serious disfigurement, infection, or death. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to a vicious dog or animal, you may be able to hold the owner accountable. Dog owners can be held liable if their dog was not properly controlled or if the dog was encouraged to bite. To learn more about what you can do, call Fishman, Carp, Bescheinen & Van Berkom, LTD at 952-546-6000 to schedule a free consultation.