Dog bites can happen at any time. Animals are not always predictable, and with the rise in popularity of aggressive breeds, dog bites are becoming more common. According to the CDC, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and 900,000 of these become infected and require medical attention. Navigating the legal maze to get your medical bills paid and get a fair recovery for your injuries can be complicated. Having an experienced Minnesota dog bite injury attorney by your side can ease the process. The seasoned Meshbesher Law Firm attorneys can help.
In Minnesota, the owner of the dog is held to be strictly liable for injuries caused by that animal. As a general rule, this means the owner of the dog and/or his insurance company will be liable for all injuries caused by that animal. Minnesota Statute §347.22 states that if a dog attacks any person who is acting peaceably in any place where the person may lawfully be, the owner of the dog is liable in damages to any person attacked or injured to the full amount of the injury sustained.
Under Minnesota’s strict liability laws, unless you have provoked the dog in some way, the owner of the dog is liable for your damages if you are attacked. Knowing this, the insurance company for the owner of the dog almost invariably blames the victim for the attack. Even if you know the person who owns the dog, and even if they say they’re sorry that the attack occurred, their insurance company can still deny your claim and refuse to pay your bills and damages.
A new insurance trend that Minnesota dog bite victims are encountering is insurance companies denying dog bite claims based on a “vicious dog” exclusion. Buried in many homeowner policies is a list of breeds which are not covered by the insurer. These breeds typically include pit bulls, Rottweilers, chows, German shepherds and Doberman pinschers. Many prospective pet owners do not think to clear their dog adoption with their insurance agent prior to visiting the Animal Humane Society or pet store. This can result in a serious financial loss if a guest or visitor is bitten by their pet and the insurer refuses to cover the damages.
The most common injuries sustained as a result of a dog bite are puncture wounds and lacerations resulting in stitches and scarring. As a dog bite victim, you should seek immediate medical attention. Take pictures of the wound. Take note of the owner’s name and get their insurance information. You should then call a lawyer.
The Minnesota dog bite attorneys at the Meshbesher Law Firm realize that whether an adult or a child has been bitten by a dog, the experience is traumatic and may result in severe injury or disfigurement. Our Meshbesher personal injury attorneys are determined to ensure that you receive compensation you deserve. To contact one of our experienced Minnesota personal injury attorneys at the Meshbesher Law Firm, call us at 612-349-5215.
You can also e-mail us your questions. The Meshbesher Law Firm, like other personal injury attorneys in Minnesota, works on a one-third contingency fee basis on dog bite claims. If we cannot get you a recovery, you do not owe us for the time we have spent working on your case.
