CAN I MAKE HOMEOWNERS CLAIM IF I WAS BIT BY MY FAMILY’S DOG?
The answer to this question depends mostly on whether or not you live in your family’s house.Most homeowners’ insurance policies exclude a claim by one resident of the household against another. However, that does not apply if you do not live at your family’s home. In that situation, a family member’s homeowners’ insurance will compensate you if their dog bites or attacks you.
Our lawyers handle cases every year where a dog bites or attacks a visiting family member. Sometimes it is a grown son or daughter visiting their parents. However, more often it is a grandchild. We have also had cases where the dog bit a parent at their child’s house. Whatever the situation, if the dog attack is serious, homeowners insurance may be available.
The law in Minnesota makes the dog owner strictly liable for any injury caused by their dog.It may initially seem uncomfortable to bring a claim against your own family member.But we have done it many times for people without a problem and without causing any family conflict. A responsible dog owner wants to provide compensation for any person who was injured by their dog. This is especially true if a dog seriously injures a family member.There will be immediate medical bills, and possibly future medical bills to repair scars, etc.That is the purpose of having homeowners insurance. Who better to help than your own family?
Here is the Minnesota law regarding dog bite:
347.22 DAMAGES, DOG OWNER LIABLE
If a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures 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 the person so attacked or injured to the full amount of the injury sustained. The term ‘owner’ includes any person harboring or keeping a dog. However, the owner shall be primarily liable.
Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are personal injury lawyers in MN with 25 years’ experience. Our lawyers have helped hundreds of people get full and fair compensation for their injuries after a dog attack. Every year, our lawyers represent children, workersand others bitten by a dog or attacked and injured by a dog in Minnesota.An experienced dog bite attorney is important to help deal with complicated medical and homeowners insurance issues. We make sure you are fully compensated for the injury. That includes scars and future treatment.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE FOR DOG BITE INJURY
When you call our office, a dog bite lawyer will explain the homeowners insurance to you. We will determine if you can sue or make a claim, even if the dog is owned by your family member. If you have been bitten by a dog or injured by a dog in Minnesota and would like to speak with a lawyer, you can meet us at our offices in Edina, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, or Woodbury.
One of our top dog bite lawyers can also meet you at your home in St. Paul, Roseville, Forest Lake, and Roseville MN. Also, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Lino Lakes, Anoka MN, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Rogers, Chanhassen, Chaska, Apple Valley, Richfield MN, Bloomington Minnesota, Lakeville, Burnsville, and other cities throughout Minnesota. We will provide you with a free consultation and answer your questions about a homeowner’s insurance claim for a dog bite. We never charge anything unless you are compensated for your injury.