At Trenti Law Firm, we have been serving Minnesota since 1960. When you are faced with some of life's most difficult legal challenges, we offer you reliable guidance backed by 145+ years of collective experience.
Virginia, MN, Dog Bite Lawyers
Fighting for the Injured in the Counties of St. Louis & Carlton
Unfortunately, thousands of people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. every year. The majority of these result in minor injuries that do not require professional medical treatment. However, in other cases, dog bites can lead to injuries serious enough for emergency room care and some can require further hospitalization. Many of these involve children for whom a dog attack can be extremely traumatic and physically dangerous.
When serious injuries are caused by dog attacks in our state, Minnesota law is very clear about who is responsible. State law lays strict liability on dog owners or those in control of dogs for the injuries their animals inflict on others. At Trenti Law Firm, we have represented countless individuals who have sustained injuries from dog attacks, whether through bites, being jumped on and knocked down, tripped, or thrown off bicycles. As one of the largest law firm in the region, we are well-known for the depth of legal knowledge and ability we bring to the clients we serve throughout northeastern Minnesota.
Have you or your child been injured in a dog attack? Contact Trenti Law Firm online or at (218) 282-4426 to discuss your case with a Virginia dog bite attorney in a free consultation.
Dog Bite Cases in Minnesota
According to dogsbite.org, approximately 14,000 people require hospitalization every year in the U.S. due to dog attacks. This organization also reported that 46 people died in 2020 from fatal dog attacks. The dog breed responsible for 72 percent of these attacks were pit bulls. Altogether, from 2005 until 2020, 568 Americans have been killed as a result of dog attacks by a 76 percentage rate of pit bulls and rottweilers. Children are the most frequent victims of dog attacks.
Injuries from dog attacks commonly include:
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Broken teeth
- Nerve damage
- Scarring
Minnesota Dog Bite Law
Minnesota dog bite law is covered in Section 347.22 of the 2021 Minnesota Statutes. This law states that owners are liable for damages “if a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is acting peaceably in any place where the person may lawfully be.” The damages to the attacked person will be “the full amount of injury sustained.” Furthermore, the “owner” of the dog can include anyone who is in control of the dog although the owner is primarily liable.
Per this law, if you are legally on the property where you were attacked, you did not provoke the dog, and you were acting “peaceably,” you have a right to seek compensation for any injuries and damages sustained by the dog attack. “Strict liability” in these cases means that the owner is liable even if he or she didn’t know or could not have known that his or her dog might be prone to biting, attacking, or acting in an aggressive manner. In Minnesota courts, strict liability has been held as absolute in these cases. “Comparative fault,” which can place fault on both sides or multiple parties, does not apply to dog injuries.
Dog owners have few defenses to a personal injury claim related to attacks on others by their dogs. These would consist of attacks by their animal when it has been provoked or when the victim is unlawfully on their premises, such as trespassers. These two factors fail to protect those injured by dog attacks as laid out in Minnesota’s dog bite law.
How Trenti Law Can Help
Most dog bite cases will lead to injury claims made against the dog owner’s homeowners insurance. Fighting these large corporations can prove to be tedious, frustrating, and difficult. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer handling your case increases your chances of success in securing fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. Let our proven team get to work for you in seeking the financial recovery and justice you deserve in dog injury claims.
Schedule your free consultation with a Virginia, MN, dog bite attorney by contacting us online or at (218) 282-4426.
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