Minnesota’s dog bite law is one of the most favorable in the U.S. for those bitten by dogs. The law is fairly broad, holding both the owner of the aggressive dog and anyone who cares for or keeps the dog responsible.
Don’t Wait Too Long
People aren’t always sure if they want to get involved in a lawsuit. However, don’t wait too long to discuss your legal options with a lawyer in Walker, MN before making a final decision. In Minnesota, a dog bite lawsuit (or another type of personal injury case) must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. Any case brought later than two years will be rejected by the court.
Strict Liability for Dog Owners
Minnesota is a “strict liability” state. A dog owner will be held liable for injuries that their dog caused if:
* The bite victim had a legal right to be at the place where the bite occurred. In most cases, this would be either lawfully on private property or on public property. A mailman, for example, has a legal right to be on the property when delivering the mail.
* The bite victim was acting peacefully.
* The bite victim didn’t provoke the dog.
A dog can injure a person without biting. If a dog jumps on an older person, for example, knocking them to the ground, the person could easily sustain a broken hip or other substantial injuries. The victim would be entitled to seek damages from the owner of the dog. It’s not necessary to prove that the injury was caused by the dog owner’s negligence.
Dogs Do Not Get “One Free Bite” in Minnesota
Some states do not hold dog owners liable unless they knew that the dog was aggressive, the “one free bite” rule. That’s not the law in Minnesota. If the owner had absolutely no reason to suspect that their dog would bite, the owner would still be considered responsible if the conditions listed above were met.
There are only two defenses that a dog owner can claim if sued: trespassing and provocation.
If you have been bitten by a dog and need to speak with a lawyer in Walker, MN, contact Borden, Steinbauer, Krueger & Knudson. They have been fighting to protect the legal rights of their clients for more than 40 years. For experienced Brainerd Law representation, contact the firm to discuss your case.
