Dogs are beloved members of many Minnesota families. Unfortunately, some canines can become territorial, or individuals may be unaware of their boundaries – leading to dangerous consequences. If a dog attacked you or a loved one in St. Cloud, MN call an experienced St. Cloud dog bite lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for legal guidance at (320) 255-1000.
Our team has been helping and fighting for fair financial recoveries since 1979 – and we’ve secured tens of millions of dollars for personal injury victims from nursing home abuse cases, motorcycle claims, St. Cloud child injuries, pedestrian incidents, St. Cloud catastrophic injuries, and more.
Let us help you hold the dog owner responsible for your injuries and losses. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation today.
How Can Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Help After a Dog Attack in St. Cloud, MN?
Unfortunately, a St. Cloud dog owner may not be quick to offer you compensation for your injuries or accept responsibility for their animal’s actions. They may refuse to cooperate altogether, leaving you to figure out how to seek compensation alone.
That’s why it’s beneficial to reach out to an experienced St. Cloud personal injury lawyer for help. We know how to hold people accountable under Minnesota law, and we’re well-versed in filing insurance claims and negotiating fair settlements. Let us handle the legal aspects while you focus on healing from your dog attack injuries.
When you hire Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for assistance after a dog bite in St. Cloud, Minnesota, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the dog attack and gather evidence proving your claim
- Calculate your damages, including any future healthcare needs
- Handle all documentation and filings in a timely manner
- Negotiate with insurance companies and other involved parties and fight for the compensation you deserve
You don’t have to handle your dog attack claim on your own. Put yourself in the best position possible by letting our St. Cloud personal injury attorneys pursue compensation on your behalf.
Our experienced dog bite attorneys work on a contingency fee basis – meaning there are no upfront costs to get exceptional legal representation. Schedule a free initial consultation to learn how we can help.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Minnesota?
Over 4.5 Americans are bitten by dogs annually, with more than 800,000 requiring medical treatment for their injuries. At least 50% of people bitten are children, who often inadvertently frighten dogs or fail to respect their boundaries.
In a recent year, Minnesota residents reported 370 dog bites to insurance providers. However, many incidents go unreported, meaning that the number is likely higher.
Minnesota’s Dog Bite Law – How Do I Prove My St. Cloud Dog Bite Injury Case?
Some states follow a one-bite rule. Under this approach, to obtain compensation, a dog bite victim must prove that the owner knew (or should’ve known) that their dog had aggressive tendencies. However, the State of Minnesota does not follow this rule, making it easier for dog bite victims to prove their case.
Minnesota’s strict liability law makes a dog owner liable for any injuries their dog inflicts on a person without provocation. The elements you must prove include:
- You were lawfully on public or private property when you were bitten or attacked;
- You were acting peaceably;
- You didn’t provoke the dog; and
- You sustained injuries due to the dog’s actions.
You don’t have to prove that the owner was negligent to recover compensation. Even if the owner took reasonable steps to control their dog, they can be held financially accountable for any injuries inflicted. Additionally, an “owner” can include anyone keeping or harboring the animal.
This statute doesn’t only apply to dog bites; it can cover any injury caused by a dog. For example, if a dog lunges toward you and knocks you down, you may be entitled to damages under state law.
Potential Defenses for Minnesota Dog Owners
St. Cloud dog owners typically only have a few defenses in an animal attack claim: trespassing and provocation.
The dog bite law states that a victim must have been “lawfully” on the premises. Therefore, if you were trespassing on private property when you were attacked, the owner may raise that as a defense.
Additionally, the Minnesota statute only protects dog bite victims if they were attacked or injured “without provocation.” Therefore, if you kicked, poked, or otherwise agitated the canine before the attack, the owner likely has a valid defense.
What Is the Value of My St. Cloud Dog Bite Case?
All St. Cloud dog bite claims have unique circumstances, victims, and injuries. Accordingly, it’s difficult to give a dollar figure without knowing the specifics of your situation. One report indicates that the average Minnesota dog bite insurance claim is around $32,198.
However, your claim could be significantly less or more than that depending on the following factors:
- The type of dog attack injuries you sustained and their severity
- The medical bills and other expenses you incurred due to the attack
- Whether you missed work due to your injuries
- Your ability to return to work in the same capacity after the dog bite
- Your pain, suffering, and psychological trauma
- The homeowners insurance (or renters insurance) involved, if any
- Whether you’ve sustained permanent scarring or disfigurement
The more severe your dog bite injuries, the more your St. Cloud personal injury case will generally be worth. However, we’ll evaluate all factors to determine the value of your claim.
What Compensation Is Available To Dog Bite Victims in St. Cloud, Minnesota?
St. Cloud dog bite victims can seek compensation for their economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are generally easy to quantify because they’re accompanied by receipts, bills, and statements. They may include:
- Medical expenses, such as an emergency room visit, wound treatment, and follow-up care
- Future medical costs, such as counseling, physical therapy, or reconstructive surgery
- Lost wages and job benefits
- Diminished earning potential
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages represent the physical and emotional impact of the dog bite on your life, and could include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Anxiety, PTSD, and phobias
Our St. Cloud dog bite attorneys will identify, calculate, and pursue the compensation you need and deserve for all damages you sustained.
Common Injuries Suffered After Dog Attacks
Dog attacks can cause various types of injuries, depending on what happened, the dog’s size, and the victim. For example, a small child who gets bitten on their arm may require amputation, depending on the severity of the bite and other circumstances. An older adult who is knocked down could break several bones and injure their spinal cord.
At Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our dog bite lawyers in St. Cloud represent victims who have sustained:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Fractures and broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Facial injuries, including to the eyes and ears
- Nerve damage
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Infections
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
In the most extreme cases, catastrophic injuries can lead to the wrongful death of a loved one. No matter what type of injuries you or your family member suffered, our dog bite attorneys in St. Cloud are ready to help you hold the responsible owner accountable.
What Should I Do If a Dog Bites Me in St. Cloud, MN?
Here are some steps to take after a dog attack in St. Cloud:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Failure to do so could result in infection, significantly worsening your injuries.
- Try to gather as much evidence and information as possible. Ask the owner or handler for their contact information and the dog’s vaccination history. If they aren’t up to date on their vaccinations, you should let your healthcare provider know.
- Report the dog bite to St. Cloud Animal Control
As soon as possible, contact an experienced St. Cloud dog attack attorney for legal help.
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s statute of limitations provides a limited time to take legal action after a dog bite. St. Cloud dog attack victims must file their claim by the deadline, or they’ll be barred from holding the dog owner financially responsible for injuries. Therefore, it’s imperative to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our St. Cloud Dog Bite Lawyers
Did you or a loved one sustain dog bite injuries in St. Cloud, MN? If so, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, suffering, and other losses.
Our St. Cloud dog attack lawyers can help you obtain justice for your injuries and emotional trauma. We’ve got decades of experience helping personal injury victims throughout Minnesota, and we’re prepared to put it to work for you.
To get the financial recovery you deserve, contact Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation, and we’ll get started on your case right away.
Our personal injury law firm in St. Cloud, MN, also provides:
- Bicycle Accident Attorneys in St. Cloud, MN
- Boating Accident Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Brain Injury Attorney in St. Cloud
- Car Accident Lawyer in St. Cloud, MN
- Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Child Injury Attorney in St. Cloud, MN
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in St. Cloud
- Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in St. Cloud, MN
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Sexual Abuse Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in St. Cloud, MN
- Truck Accident Lawyers in St. Cloud, MN
- Wrongful Death Lawyer in St. Cloud
