At work, most of us are focused on what we need to get done for the day. The last thing we expect is to get bitten or attacked by an aggressive animal. Dogs have extremely sharp teeth and strong jaws, which means they can do a lot of physical damage very quickly. Victims may suffer from short-term pain and other long-term consequences, especially if you cannot work for a while. This makes it really important for you to know what legal options you have after being bitten by a dog at work in Minneapolis.

At TSR Injury Law, the attorneys on our legal team are native Minnesotans, and we love our dogs, but we also know we have a responsibility to hold dog owners accountable when their pets cause harm to others. Dog bites leave victims with devastating injuries that often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Fortunately, Minnesota law provides specific protections for workers who suffer dog bite injuries on the job. When you hire our Minneapolis-based dog bite attorneys, you get a team that is compassionate, but ready to get to work on your behalf.

Can I Sue My Minneapolis Employer if I Was Bitten by a Dog at Work?

Generally, Minnesota workers’ compensation laws protect employers from being sued by their employees. Most of the time, workers’ compensation is your primary remedy for medical bills and lost wages when injured on the job. If the dog owner is not an employee of the same business, such as a homeowner getting a package delivered, then there may be a third-party claim.

Why These Cases Can Be Complex

The situation becomes more complex if you get bitten at work by a customer’s or client’s dog. In these cases, you may be able to pursue a third-party claim against the dog owner, while also receiving workers’ compensation benefits. This dual approach often provides the most comprehensive compensation for your injuries in this type of situation.

Before we can determine your specific legal options, we need to find out more about how the dog bite occurred. Once we understand the unique circumstances of your situation, we can determine what legal options apply.

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Dog Bite Injuries on the Job in Minnesota?

Yes, workers’ compensation does cover dog bite injuries that happen while you are performing your job duties in Minnesota. The system protects workers regardless of how the injury happened, as long as it happened during work hours and within the scope of your employment.

Workers’ Compensation Provides Immediate, but Limited Coverage

Workers’ Compensation provides immediate coverage for your medical expenses and a percentage of your lost wages as well. You don’t need to prove anyone was at fault to get these benefits. The coverage applies whether you were bitten by a customer’s dog during a package delivery or encounter an aggressive animal while working on someone’s property.

Understanding the Limitations of Workers’ Comp After a Dog Bite Injury on the Job

Workers’ comp is an excellent benefit, but it has significant limitations. To start with, the system does not fully compensate you for all your lost wages. It does provide compensation for the trauma, pain, and emotional distress caused by the unexpected attack of a dangerous animal but is limited by Statute. These restrictions often leave injured workers without sufficient compensation for their damages and a third-party claim can make up the difference of what workers’ compensation does not cover.

What If the Dog That Bit Me on the Job in Minneapolis Belongs to a Customer?

Getting attacked by a customer’s dog is traumatic, but it doesn’t lessen legal rights as an injured worker. In fact, you may actually have a stronger case because you can still seek workers’ compensation, but you may also be able to file a personal injury claim against the customer. This scenario often gives injured workers’ the most comprehensive financial recovery after being bitten on the job.

A customer’s homeowners or renters insurance policies typically provide coverage for dog bite liability claims. Most policies provide between $100,000 and $300,000 in coverage. Unlike the workers’ compensation limitations, these policies can compensate you for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, permanent scarring, and other related damages.

What If My Employer Puts Pressure on Me Not to Sue Them if Their Dog Bit Me at Work?

Your employer cannot legally pressure you to give up your rights after a dog bite injury at work. Any attempt to discourage you from pursuing legal action outside of a workers’ compensation claim is considered legal retaliation under Minnesota law. You have protected rights that your employer must respect.

Even “Nice” Retaliation Tactics Are Illegal and Violate Your Rights

Employers may sometimes try more subtle intimidation tactics, like suggesting your job security depends on you not filing a claim against them. They may try to persuade you by saying the injury was minor or offer to pay your medical bills directly to avoid involving their insurance company. However, even these seemingly harmless approaches violate your legal protections and often result in inadequate compensation for your injuries.

Minnesota Law Protects You From Retaliation Tactics

Minnesota law prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or otherwise retaliating against workers who file legitimate workers’ compensation claims. If your employer threatens your job or creates a hostile work environment after your dog bite injury, they could face serious legal consequences, including additional damages.

Be Sure to Document Details and Conversations About Your Case

From day one, it is a good idea to document the incident and what happened. Be sure to get the names and contact details of any witnesses to the attack as well. Going forward, you should also document any inappropriate conversations or comments made by your employer.

Does it Matter Where the Dog Bite Happened During My Work Day?

Yes – the location of your dog bite injury significantly impacts your legal options and ability to recover compensation. Where the attack occurred determines which insurance policies and what types of legal claims you may be able to pursue beyond workers’ compensation.

Here are the most common places on-the-job dog attacks occur and the types of claims you may be able to pursue:

• Your Workplace: This is the most limiting of all your options since employers are generally protected by laws that prevent you from suing either them or their company. However, when bitten at work, you are still covered by workers’ compensation’
• Client’s or Employer’s Dog at Your Workplace: Maintains your right to pursue workers’ compensation while also potentially enabling you to sue your employer or the client separately.
• On-the-Job on a Customer’s Property: This scenario creates the strongest legal position because you may be eligible to pursue both workers’ compensation and a liability claim against the property owner’s insurance.
• Public Locations: Workers’ compensation still applies if you were bitten while performing your job duties. However, it may be harder to locate and identify the responsible dog owner or identifying their insurance coverage.
• Off-Site Work Location: Being bitten while you were working off site is also generally covered by workers’ compensation. In some circumstances, you may also have a third-party claim, depending on property ownership.

First Steps Workers Should Take After Being Bitten by a Dog on the Job

Getting bitten by a dog at work is traumatic, even if you work in an at-risk industry, like postal or utility workers. Taking the right steps after an attack ensures you quickly get the medical care you need while also protecting your legal rights.

Here are the key “first steps” to remember after being bitten by a dog on the job:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even small bites from a dog can cause serious infections if they are not cleaned and treated right away. This step also helps your claim by linking your injury to the day and location it happened.
• Report the Injury to Your Employer Right Away: Always report in writing – even if you call your employer first, be sure to follow up with an email afterwards. Follow your company’s protocol for a workplace injury, including filling out an injury report.
• Document the Attack: Write down the attack as you remember it. The longer you wait to do this, the more details you forget, so do it as soon after the incident as possible.
• Take Photos of Your Injuries: Take a photo of your injuries on day one and frequently throughout your recover. Pictures show visually, the severity of the damage from the attack.
• Get Dog Owner Contact Details: Be sure to get the details and contact information of the dog owner, as well as information about their insurance coverage.
• Witness Details: If there are witnesses, be sure to get their contact details as well – they may have critical information you did not notice while being attacked.
• Report the Dog Bite: Dog bites must be reported in Minnesota, even if it was the first time a dog bit anyone. To report a dog bite in Minneapolis, call 311 or contact Minneapolis Animal Care & Control.
• Seek Legal Help: Consider seeking legal help as soon as your injuries are stabilized. At TSR Injury Law, we can fully manage your case from day one. This means we protect your legal rights and best interests so you can focus fully on healing.

Do I Need a Lawyer After Being Bitten by a Dog at Work in Minneapolis?

The short answer is yes. Dog bite cases that happen at work are often more complicated because you may have a workers’ comp claim, a lawsuit against the dog owner, or both. Most injured workers don’t know their legal rights – or that they might be eligible to pursue multiple paths for compensation in Minnesota.

At TSR Injury Law, we know it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do first after a serious dog bite attack at work. We offer free consultations for this very purpose. During this meeting, which can be by phone – or we can come to you – we take time to listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.

Worried about the cost? Don’t be, because we don’t charge you anything up front. Our firm takes dog bite cases on contingency, which means we don’t get paid unless you do.

Call (612) TSR-TIME today for a free case review – we would be honored to help you.