Award-Winning Minnesota Dog Bite Attorneys 

You can never be sure how an encounter with a dog will turn out. Depending on the dog and the circumstances, you could get a bark, a kiss, or a bite. While no one expects the worst, the reality is that some encounters will result in puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and other disfiguring injuries.

If you or a loved one have been hurt by a dog, it is in your best interest to seek the advice of a trusted personal injury lawyer who can assert your rights and help you navigate the claims process. A successful dog bite claim can provide you with financial compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, physical rehabilitation, and other damages.

At Nicolet Law Office, we are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for dog bite victims. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our passionate attorneys are ready to leverage our knowledge and resources on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery.  

Compassionate Legal Representation After a Dog Bite

At Nicolet Law Office, our personal injury lawyers assert the rights of dog bite and attack victims throughout Minnesota. We have helped our clients navigate the legal system to make sure they receive the compensation they deserve, and we are committed to supporting our clients every step of the way. 

The skilled injury attorneys at Nicolet Law Office are prepared to help victims suffering from:

• Lacerations or scarring 
• Fractures
• Emotional trauma 
• Head injuries 

In addition to offering free initial consultations, Nicolet Law Office provides legal representation for victims of dog bites on a contingency fee basis. We have experience obtaining results for people in a wide range of circumstances and have office locations in Woodbury, Minneapolis, Duluth, and Hibbing.

Summary of Dog Bite Laws in Minnesota 

Minnesota law favors dog bite victims. While many of our clients are under the impression that dogs receive a pass for their first bite, this is not true in the land of 10,000 lakes. 

According to Minnesota Statutes 347.22, a dog’s owner or caretaker is liable for almost any injury that results from an encounter with their dog. As long as the victim was in an area where they were allowed to be and did not do anything to provoke the dog, he or she may be entitled to receive compensation for their medical bills, physical rehabilitation, and emotional trauma. 

It is also important to note that not all animal-related injuries are the result of bites. A personal injury claim can be made anytime someone’s pet causes an injury, including incidents like a dog running into the street and causing a motor vehicle accident, or a dog startling someone into a slip-and-fall accident. Moreover, Minnesota law does not require victims to prove negligence in order to receive compensation. 

In Minnesota, the statute of limitations on dog bite cases is two years. If a victim fails to file a claim before the deadline, he or she may lose their right to bring their dog bite case to court. 

At Nicolet Law Office, our skilled injury attorneys are familiar with Minnesota’s laws and deadlines. We are prepared to help you navigate the claims process and receive the compensation you deserve. 

Who Pays for a Dog Bite?

It is common for people, especially children, to sustain injuries in an accident involving the dog of a friend, loved one, or neighbor. Sadly, this means that many of these victims hesitate to pursue legal action because they don’t want to impose financial hardship on someone they care about. 

However, it is important to realize that dog bite and attack claims are typically paid for by a dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy, rather than by the pet’s owner. Incidents like this are why people carry insurance, and there is no reason to feel guilty for using it to cover the costs of:

• Medical treatment for your injuries
• Reconstructive facial surgeries
• Physical rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The trusted injury attorneys at Nicolet Law Office also understand that many victims worry about making life harder for an animal owner by filing a claim. However, we believe in respecting our clients and their relationships. If our client wants us to pursue their claim gently out of respect for the dog owner, we will do so.   

What to Do After a Dog Bite or Attack

In the United States, approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. When a dog attacks, many victims are left wondering what to do. If you have been bitten or attacked by an animal, there are a number of steps that should be taken. 

1. Confine the animal. When a dog attacks or bites someone, the dog should be brought to a safe and controlled location. The victim should obtain the contact information for the animal’s owner or caretaker, if they are not already acquainted.   
2. Seek medical care. It is crucial that dog bite victims seek appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible. If the skin has been pierced by a bite, the victim may be at risk of developing an infection or rabies. 
3. File a report. Even if the injuries are not serious, the victim of an attack should file a dog bite report. Completing this step will potentially help others who may be injured or attacked by the same dog.     
4. Contact a local attorney. The claims process following a dog bite or attack is difficult for a victim to navigate on their own. A trusted, local attorney will be able to help protect the rights of those who have been injured. 

Call Nicolet Law Office for a Free Consultation Today

At Nicolet Law Office, our firm handles dog bite and attack claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we do not charge a fee unless we collect compensation for you. Call 1-855-NICOLET or use our secure online form to schedule a free case evaluation at one of our four Minnesota locations (Woodbury, Minneapolis, Duluth, and Hibbing).