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Minnesota Dog Bite Lawyer

Five Steps After a Dog Bite Injury

If you have been bitten by a dog and it caused an injury, there are three things that should be done as soon as possible:

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1 Seek Medical Attention

Do not make the mistake of assuming the dog bite is “not that serious”. If the skin was broken you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Dog bites are very susceptible to infection if they are not cleaned and treated properly.

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2 File a Report with Local Police

It does not occur to most people to file a report with the police, but this is actually a very important step. The police can confirm ownership of the dog as well as confirm who was harboring the dog at the time of the attack.

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3 Inform the Dog Owner

Even if you believe they are already aware, explain to the dog owner that you are seeking medical attention and will follow up with them. This may feel difficult, especially if the owner of the dog is a neighbor or a friend. You will also want to get the vaccination records of the dog if possible.

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4 Take Pictures & Preserve Evidence

Taking pictures of the wound or injuries also helps document the severity of your injury. Remember to take pictures of the wound every few days to record the severity of the wound even a few days after the attack.

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5 Talk to a Lawyer for the Best Outcome

Before you sign anything, agree to anything or even speak with the insurance company, talk to a lawyer that is on your side. The insurance company will have an adjuster work with you to negotiate a settlement. Typically having a lawyer handle your side of the negotiation produces a much better result. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Dog Bite Victims Get Top Results From Expert Personal Injury Attorneys

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If you or a loved one is attacked by a dog, the lawyers at Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., can help you get the proper compensation and coverage for medical bills. What a specific case is worth depends on the severity of the dog bite injury and the amount of initial and future medical care needed. As a dog bite victim, you are entitled to:

Medical attention for all injuries
Current and future medical care expenses reimbursement
Loss of earnings recovery
Pain, suffering and emotional distress compensation
If necessary, psychological counseling due to attack and injury trauma

"I Don't Want to Sue My Neighbor"

No one wants problems with their neighbor. We talk to a lot of dog bite victims who are worried about the social repercussions of “suing their neighbor”. When you are bit by a dog and hire a lawyer, you are not suing anyone. You are simply making a claim for your injury against the homeowners’ insurance policy.

Filing an Insurance Claim is not the Same as "Suing"

Sometimes people tell us that they don't want to "sue" a friend or family member after a dog has bitten their child. "Suing the dog owner" is not as accurate a description of the legal remedy as is "filing an insurance claim." Dog owners whose pets have caused harm to someone else are usually relieved to learn that medical attention, plastic surgery and psychological counseling are available for a traumatized dog bite victim.

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Minnesota Dog Bite Law Is Clear And Favors Victims

Minnesota has a strict liability dog bite statute. That means that it is not necessary to prove the owner or person harboring the dog acted negligently. As a result, Minnesota dog bite law is quite favorable to dog bite victims. It covers both bites and other injuries, and applies not only to the owner of the attacking dog but also to the person who harbors or keeps the dog.

As the victim of a dog bite, the law is clearly on your side. The Minnesota Dog Bite Statute (below) is written to protect the innocent from dog attacks.

347.22 Damages, 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 but the owner shall be primarily liable. The term "dog" includes both male and female of the canine species.

Dog Bite Injury Attorney in Minnesota

"Man's best friend" can be your worst enemy. People have dogs for many reasons, and most owners are very responsible in managing their dogs. But even a well-behaved dog can attack when it feels threatened or is afraid.

Bitten, Mauled or Attacked by a Dog in Minnesota?

Being bitten or attacked by a dog or other animal is very frightening. An attack can leave a victim not only severely injured, but also traumatized. Oftentimes dog bite victims are left with both physical and emotional scars. The experienced dog bite lawyers at Bennerotte & Associates in Eagan can help you get the medical treatment and medical support you deserve.

Dog Bites And Animal Attacks – Not The Time For Minnesota Nice

You did not ask to be bitten by a dog. Our experience allows us to reassure them that, in most cases, caring dog owners will be glad to know that medical costs are covered for the dog bite victim.

Do you have a Dog Bite Injury Case?

Do not delay after you or your child has been bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries as a result. Talk to a lawyer at Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. Call us at 651-587-8423 to set up a free, confidential consultation. You may also contact us with our online form.

Attacked by a Dog? We Can Help. Call Now.

Do not delay after you or your child has been bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries as a result. Talk to a lawyer at Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. Call us at 651-587-8423 to set up a free, confidential consultation.

Call 651-587-8423 or contact us online today.

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800,000 Dog Bite Victims Require Medical Care per year

About 18% of dog bites result in the victim being hospitalized or needing medical care.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites in the United States each year. About 800,000 of those dog bites (or around 18%) typically result in hospitalization or some form of medical care. 4.5 million dog bites in the United States means that about one out of every 73 people will be bit by a dog.

The average amount paid out on a dog bite claim in 2020 was just over $50,000. This is a relatively sharp increase over the average from 2019 which was just under $45,000. These numbers are only averages and are not an indicator of future dog bite claim values. Every claim is unique and based on the type of injury that results from the dog bite.

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