A dog bite often leads to severe injuries. As such, the law sets out to protect the public through stringent legislation. Such legislation places a duty of care on the dog owners -or the person responsible -to ensure that they contain or control the aggressive dogs. However, this is often difficult, and most people often end up being victims of a dog attack.
That said, if you are a victim of a dog bite, you may have a remedy in law. This means that you have a right to initiate a dog bit lawsuit against the dog owner and receive damages for any injury sustained.
However, the legal process is complex, and you may have a difficult time establishing that the dog owner is liable. As such, you’ll need the help of a dog bite attorney to increase your chances of a successful claim.
Here is what you should know about dog bites and the role of a dog bite attorney.
The Law on Dog Bites in Minnesota
Minnesota dog bite laws ,under section 347.22 of Minnesota statutes Annotated ,envision protecting the public from ferocious dogs. Quite simply, the law provides that if an unprovoked dog attacks you, the owner becomes liable for the damages. On the other hand, an attack by a provoked dog precludes the owner from being held responsible for damages.
In addition, the term “owner” is broad in that it not only covers the owner but also extends to any person keeping or harboring the dog.
It is worth noting that courts in Minnesota’s jurisdiction tend to interpret the statute in a manner that favors the victim. In other words, the courts undertake a strict liability approach in interpreting the statute. However, you’ll need a qualified attorney to stamp your claim since the other party may raise other defenses to reduce the amount of compensation.
What should you do after a dog bite?
Approximately 4 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year. This proves how common dog attacks are.
If a dog has bitten you, it is imperative to take several steps to ensure that you are safe and establish a valid claim. These steps include:
- Confine the animal and contact the dog owner
- Seek medical care
- File a report
- Contact a qualified dog bite attorney.
How can a dog bite attorney help?
In the event of a dog bite accident, it is important to have a dog bite attorney by your side. An attorney will help you:
- Investigate and collect evidence
- Send a demand letter to the insurance company and the other responsible parties.
- File a lawsuit.
After filing a lawsuit, your attorney will proceed to help establish a valid claim. This is in the following ways:
Prove that the defendant is liable: Determining that another person is liable is often a daunting task. For example, if the dog bite accident resulted from the owner’s negligence, you’ll have to prove the various elements of negligence and establish the connection. Put simply, you’ll need to establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care, they breached the duty, and the accident resulted from the breach.
An attorney can help you establish this quickly.
Recovering compensation: After establishing that the defendant is negligent, your attorney can help recover the compensation you need from the liable party. This is often a daunting task because the defendant always tries to reduce the amount of compensation. However, an attorney can counter any defenses raised, ensuring you get the amount of compensation you need.
Need Help?
If you or your loved one has been bitten by a dog, it is imperative to take the necessary steps to seek compensation from the dog owner. Contact the law firm of Patterson Dahlberg Injury Lawyers to help you get the compensation you need.