Minnesota Dog Bite Lawyer
Our attorneys successfully represent people who have been bitten or attacked by a dog. We handle dog bite cases in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout Minnesota. However, we have also represent many people who have been accidentally injured by a dog. For example, by being knocked down a flight of stairs, or pushed off of a bicycle by a dog.
Not surprisingly, many dog attack cases involve children. Commonly, the child is bitten by the neighbor’s dog or a family member’s dog. In many cases, the dog attack happens at a neighbor’s or family member’s house.
Fortunately, most dog owners have homeowner’s insurance or rental insurance that covers their legal responsibility for compensation. Homeowners insurance will pay for medical bills, lost wages, and fixing the scars if possible. In addition, there is also compensation for pain and suffering and permanent scarring. Because of insurance, the dog owners will not have to pay anything themselves. Most importantly, the benefit to the person who was bit can be substantial.
Minnesota law states that a dog owner is responsible for any injury caused by their dog. Most of the animal cases our lawyers handle involve a dog attacking and biting someone. However, in addition to the calls we get where the caller says “a dog bit me,” our top attorneys also frequently get calls from people who say “a dog pushed me down or pushed me over” or “a dog tripped me.”
DOG OWNER RESPONSIBLE BUT HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WILL PAY
Most people know that the dog owner is responsible if their dog bit someone. However, the dog owner is just as responsible if their dog injures someone another way – even if the dog accidentally injures a person. For example, our best dog attack lawyers have handled MN cases where a dog accidentally pushed or tripped someone. These cases can be as serious, or even more serious, than a dog bite. Fortunately, homeowners insurance will pay compensation whether the dog bit or injured someone another way.
Some people believe that a dog owner is responsible only if the dog has bitten before. However, that is NOT the law in Minnesota. The law holds an owner automatically responsible the first time a dog bites or a person is injured by their dog. In fact, the only defense the dog owner has is if the victim provoked the attack or was trespassing.
CHILD BITTEN MOST FREQUENTLY
Statistics show that on average there are 300,000 dog bites per year that require medical treatment. Recent data showed that 61% of the attacks occur to children (11 years and younger) and 39% occur to adults (12 and older).
Unfortunately, some of the injuries from a dog attack can be quite severe and can include:
- Rabies
- Lacerations / Scars
- Emotional trauma
- Fractures
- Head injuries.
Dog attacks caused 33 deaths, 20 of them children, in one year. In these tragic instances, the family can file a wrongful death suit against the dog’s owner. Most of the dog bite cases our lawyers in MN handle involve scarring and nerve damage. However, we have also handled dog bite or dog attack cases resulting in many other types of injuries.
If you have been injured by a dog or other animal in Minnesota, call and speak with an experienced dog bite attorney at our office. We will fully explain your rights and your entitlement to fair compensation. The initial consultation is always free and we will provide you with personal attention.
EXPERIENCED DOG ATTACK DOG BITE LAWYERS
At the Rochlin Law Firm our lawyers have more than 25 years’ experience. We have successfully represented hundreds of people who were injured by a dog. Our primary focus is on getting full and fair compensation for our clients from the dog owner’s insurance. Pam Rochlin is a former partner with Meshbesher and Spence. She has also served as the president of Minnesota Women Lawyers, an organization with over 1300 members.
A lawyer will discuss your dog bite or dog attack case with you and explain your rights. Most importantly, we make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries. We have offices in Edina, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Woodbury. In addition, we also make house calls. A dog bite attorney from our office will meet with you at your home anywhere in Minnesota. There is no obligation on your part, the consultation is free, and we never charge anything unless you are compensated.
For more information on dog bite statistics, see www.dogsbite.org.