Dog Bites: Overview

A dog bite or attack can be a traumatic and terrifying event that results in serious injury. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention. Most victims of dog bites are children under the age of nine.

Legal recovery for dog attacks begins with finding the dog owner and finding out if the dog owner or handler was negligent with the dog. In some cases, merely owning a dangerous animal that attacks is adequate legal grounds for compensation.

Minnesota has a strict liability dog bite statute. The Minnesota dog bite law is one of the most 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 the person who harbors or keeps the dog. It is important to hire an experienced dog bite lawyer to make sure you receive full compensation for your losses.

If a stray dog bites you, you have little legal recourse since your injury claim must be filed against a dog owner or handler. If the owner is identified, and if the conditions for liability are met, dog bite victims can recover for the following:

• Medical treatment such as first aid, emergency care, hospitalization and ongoing medical care
• Future medical treatment for scar reduction
• Psychological counseling to overcome the emotional trauma of the attack
• Loss of earnings from work

If you’ve been injured by a dog attack, your well being comes first. Your rights are next. The experienced Minnesota Dog Bite attorneys at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben bring more than 35 years of experience representing victims of dog bites and other animal bites. Our lawyers have successfully represented and fought for clients in numerous dog bite cases resulting in large settlements and verdicts.

Our lawyers will fight until the end and we will go to trial or take on major corporations and insurance companies if necessary. Let us take care of every detail so you can concentrate on the most important part – your recovery.

The statute of limitations for dog bites is six years. However, it is essential to act swiftly after you’ve been injured to preserve evidence, gather essential witnesses and to address other important factors. Call us today for a free consultation with an aggressive Personal Injury lawyer about your dog bite injury claim: 612-377-7777 or 1-800-752-4265 (toll free).

Based in Minneapolis MN, the personal injury attorneys at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben represent dog bite and animal attack victims throughout the entire state of Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and North Dakota.