Dog Bite Lawyer: Your Key to Fair Compensation

Everyone knows the common phrase that a dog is considered “man’s best friend.” However, as much as we love our furry companions, we must always be mindful that they are animals and subject to their instincts. Even the kindest animal can have a bad day, and, unfortunately, many dog owners do not take the time to be responsible and train their pets properly.

Dog owner negligence is one reason why the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that about 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year. Some dog bites are quick nips and create no serious problems. However, many dog bites result in hospitalization. In those cases, visiting with our dog bite lawyers can help ensure sure you receive the compensation you deserve under the law. Learn more about how our Minnesota dog bite lawyers can help your case.

Seeking Damages for a Dog Attack

What is the average settlement for a dog bite injury lawsuit? No average amount exists because each case is different. It depends on the severity of your injuries and how they’ll affect your life. Some people could receive a four-figure financial award, while others could receive a seven-figure award. Any award amount in between those extremes is also possible.

Our dog attack injury attorneys in Minnesota will focus on showing the losses you have related to:

Medical costs, both current and future
Lost wages, both current and future
Pain and suffering
Reduction in quality of life.

You might have emotional trauma related to the attack from the dog. You may have a new-found fear of dogs, leaving you unable to enjoy the companionship of these pets. You might be unable to enjoy going on a walk in your neighborhood because of a fear of having a dog approach you. Perhaps you cannot sleep because of your fears. Compensation for this type of emotional trauma can be part of your pain and suffering award amount.

Determining Liability Under Minnesota Law for Dog Bite Injury Claims

One of the most important things our dog bite injury accident attorneys can do for you is to prove who is liable for your injuries from the dog attack. Without our ability to prove negligent behavior from the dog owner, you will not have a chance to win a financial award for your pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical costs.

The dog bite statutes and laws in the state of Minnesota are codified under Minnesota Statutes section 347.01, et al, and demonstrate an intent by legislators to protect the legal rights of dog bite victims. According to Minnesota Statutes section 347.22, dog owners are subject to strict liability standards under the law when their dog bites a person in the state of Minnesota. This means that, legally speaking, the responsibility regarding the behavior of a dog is the sole responsibility of the dog’s owner or handler in nearly every case.

The only circumstances under which a victim may have any responsibility regarding a dog bite claim would be if they were trespassing illegally on the dog owner’s property or provoked the dog into attacking them.

Some Dog Attack Injury Claims Don’t Involve an Actual Bite

According to the Minnesota statutes regarding dog attacks, if you suffered injuries or losses resulting from a dog attack, you may have the right to receive compensation, even in circumstances where the dog did not actually bite you. For example, if a dog lunges at a victim and causes injuries, the victim may have the legal right to compensation, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.

According to one case argued in the Minnesota Court of Appeals, (Morris v. Weatherly, 488 N.W. 2d 508 (1992)), a dog jumped at a postal worker as he was riding a bike on a public path. Even though the dog did not physically touch Morris, the postal carrier’s attempt to retreat from the dog led him to fall off the bicycle and suffer a serious back injury. The dog owner was found legally liable for the attack and the resultant injuries, even though the dog did not specifically bite Morris.

In a case where a dog did not bite you, but you suffered injuries in an attack, it can be extremely challenging to win your claim. Insurance companies may try to argue that you were being clumsy and simply fell down, which led to your injuries. The insurer might say that the dog was nowhere near you and you are lying about the attack. The dog’s owner might also claim that you are lying, further complicating things.

Our Minnesota dog attack injury lawyers will need to investigate the accident thoroughly, seeking evidence that you did not do anything wrong and that the dog ran at you or jumped on you, causing you to fall and become injured. We have the experience necessary to investigate this type of claim and track down the evidence that proves your side of the story. Our experienced attorneys take the time required to fight for your best outcome, and that includes working tirelessly to find the evidence you need.

Contact Tyroler Leonard Injury Law Today for Help with a Dog Bite Claim

If you suffered physical or emotional injuries or financial losses after your dog bite attack, you may feel confused and overwhelmed regarding how to receive compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. In some cases, homeowners’ policies will cover dog owners for any type of dog bite attack. In other cases, homeowners’ policies will not cover these types of injuries, and a victim will have to file a lawsuit directly against the dog owner in order to receive reimbursement for expenses and losses.

Let our Minnesota personal injury lawyers walk you through the process of seeking the financial compensation that you deserve. We can determine the proper way to file the injury claim, always working to maximize the financial award that you receive. We can discuss your case during a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t receive any payment for representing you unless we win your case.

To learn more, call Tyroler Leonard Injury Law today at (651) 259-1114.

Attorney Isaac Tyroler

Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]