Dog bites often happen without warning, turning a peaceful walk through Minnehaha Park or a visit to a neighbor’s home into a traumatic experience that requires immediate medical attention. The physical wounds may heal, but the emotional trauma and financial burden can linger long after the attack.

At TSR Injury Law, our knowledgeable dog bite lawyers provide compassionate legal representation for victims throughout the Twin Cities area. We understand the complex challenges you face after a dog bite incident and work hard to hold owners financially accountable for their pet’s actions.

Need legal help after a dog bite attack? Contact our trusted law firm today to share your story and learn what we can do for you. Your initial consultation is completely free and there are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees when we represent you.

Call 612 TSR TIME for a FREE case review today. TSR Injury Law wants to help you.

How Common Are Dog Bites in Minneapolis?

Dog bites are pretty common in Minneapolis and other surrounding areas. According to Minnesota Daily, there was a 30 percent increase in dog bite attacks in Minneapolis in 2024 compared to the previous year. These attacks are often the result of aggressive or poorly controlled dogs in neighborhoods, parks, and other public areas. Dangerous dog attacks can happen locally, in your neighborhood, and even when visiting other people’s houses. The likelihood of getting bitten depends on many factors, including how often you are in parks or other areas where you are most likely to encounter a dog.

You can expect a lot more dog bite incidents in warmer weather as both people and pets spend more time outdoors. People naturally want to get outside to enjoy the nicer weather, to go for a walk, or jog. Pet owners want to get out too, taking their dogs out and visiting parks. These circumstances create more opportunities for people to come into contact with unfamiliar dogs who might unexpectedly display territorial or aggressive behavior.

Are Minnesota Dog Owners Automatically Liable When Their Dog Bites Someone

The short answer is yes. Minnesota follows a strict liability statute for dog bites. This means dog owners bear responsibility for the injuries their pets cause regardless of the dog’s previous behavior or aggressive tendencies.

Minnesota law does not follow the “one-bite rule” that some other states use. The one bite rule protects owners more as they only become liable if their dog has bitten someone before.

Under Minnesota Statutes Section 347.22, dog owners automatically become liable for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages resulting from their pet’s bite. This law protects victims whether or not the dog had a prior history of biting. This law makes it easier for victims attacked by dogs to pursue compensation for their injuries.

Can I Sue in Minnesota if I Get Bitten by a Dog on Private Property?

Yes, you can sue for a dog bite that occurs on private property in Minnesota as long as you were lawfully on the property when the incident happened. Minnesota’s strict liability law protects visitors who have permission to be on someone else’s property. This includes guests, delivery workers, and service personnel performing their duties.

You cannot pursue a lawsuit if you were trespassing on private property when the dog bite occurred. However, if you were invited to the property, making a delivery, or had a legitimate reason to be there, the dog owner remains liable for your injuries under Minnesota law.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Minnesota Dog Bite Case?

Minnesota law allows dog bite victims to recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the attack. The damages you may recover following your attack depends on the unique circumstances of your situation, including how badly you were hurt and how those injuries impact your daily life. The specific circumstances leading up to the attack may also impact your potential to recover compensation.

Specific types of compensation you may be able to seek after a dog bite attack includes:

• Medical Expenses: It is important to seek immediate medical care, as dog bites have a high risk of becoming infected. All related medical costs may be covered, including ER visits, hospital stays, and surgery you may need to repair the wound. You may also be compensated for any ongoing and follow-up care needed to aid your recovery.
• Future Medical Costs: This compensation provides for longer-term medical care you may need, such as ongoing reconstructive surgery or physical therapy.
• Lost Wages: Income you missed if you were unable to work while recovering from your dog bite injuries.
• Lost Earning Capacity: Additional compensation if your dog bite injuries were severe enough to impact your career or ability to work in the future.
• Pain and Suffering: Trauma after a dog bite is not just physical. Dog bites can be especially traumatic for victims. These non-economic damages compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and other types of mental anguish resulting from that experience.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Additional compensation provided to victims for permanent marks and scars.
• Property Damages: Compensates you for damage to your personal property during the attack, such as torn clothing.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Covers transportation costs for travel to and from your medical appointments, home care assistance and other related costs.

What If a Dog Bites Someone on Public Property in Minnesota?

Under the law, dog owners face automatic liability when their pets bite someone on public property throughout Minnesota. This includes city sidewalks, parks, trails, and any government-owned land where people have the legal right to be present.

Unlike private property cases where the victim’s legal presence matters, public property incidents always fall under Minnesota’s strict liability law. Dog owners cannot claim ignorance of their pet’s behavior as a defense when bites occur in public spaces.

Do Minneapolis Dog Bite Cases Go to Court or Typically Settle?

Most dog bite cases in Minneapolis are resolved through settlement negotiations between the victim’s attorney and the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurance providers often prefer to settle these claims to avoid the unpredictable costs and time commitments associated with taking cases to trial.

Settlement negotiations allow both parties to reach agreements more quickly, helping victims get compensated more quickly for their medical bills and other damages without waiting months or longer for a court decision.

If the liable insurance company refuses to make a fair compensation offer, TSR Injury Law is prepared to take your dog bite case to court to secure the compensation you need and deserve.

What Are Some of the Most Common Types of Dog Injuries?

Dog bites can cause some nasty injuries, but just how bad depends on a few factors, such as how close you were to the dog and how big the dog was. Some dogs are more aggressive than others, making it harder to get them to back down or get away from them.

Even if your injury doesn’t seem serious, you need medical care if it breaks the skin, due to the risk of infection. Aside from that, these are the most common types of dog bite injuries:

• Abrasions: Abrasions look minor compared to other types of dog bites, but they can still become badly infected and leave scars without proper treatment.
• Puncture Wounds: When a dog bites you, their teeth create deep, narrow holes in your skin. Basically, puncture wounds are an open doorway to bacteria. Without treatment, you may trap bacteria inside the wound, increasing the risk of a serious infection.
• Lacerations: A laceration is just a fancy word for a deep cut or tear in the skin. But these cuts can go so deeply that they reach underlying muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Not only do these injuries bleed more heavily, but if the wound is deep enough, it can cause nerve damage.
• Infected Bites: When an abrasion or other type of bite wound gets infected, it can lead to potentially life-threatening infections, like sepsis. Any open wound creates a pathway for infections to enter your bloodstream. This is why proper medical treatment is a must, even after a “minor” dog bite.
• Crushing Injuries: Large dogs with strong jaws, like a pit bull, can grab on with a bite force strong enough to cause serious damage, including bone fractures. Adults with smaller bone structures and children are especially at risk of devastating injuries.
• Facial Injuries: Children, teens, and smaller adults are more likely to suffer bites to their faces. Depending on the viciousness of the attack, this can mean permanent facial disfigurement. At a minimum, this type of injurie would likely require considerable reconstructive surgery.
• Avulsion Injuries: Of all dog bite injuries, these are the most extreme and severe. Avulsion injuries are where a person’s skin or soft tissue is literally torn away from the body. These injuries are extensive, require reconstructive surgery, and often leave victims permanently scarred or disfigured. For smaller children, this type of injury can be life-threatening.

Why Minnesota’s Dog Bite Law Covers More Than Just Traditional “Bites”

Minnesota’s dog bite statute extends beyond actual bite wounds to include other injuries that dogs can cause to people. This broader coverage ensures that victims of various dog-related incidents can pursue compensation for their medical expenses and other damages.

• Knockdown Injuries: When large dogs jump on or knock down victims, causing broken bones, sprains, or head injuries from falls
• Scratch Wounds: Deep scratches from dog claws that require medical treatment, stitches, or leave permanent scarring
• Defensive Injuries: Harm that occurs while victims attempt to protect themselves from attacking dogs, including injuries from falling or striking objects. Even if the dog does not touch you and you are injured trying to get away, there may be coverage.
• Pursuit Injuries: Injuries sustained while trying to escape from aggressive dogs, such as cuts from fences or falls while running away

Steps You Should Take Immediately After Being Bitten by a Dog

Taking prompt action after a dog bite protects your health and preserves important evidence for any potential legal claim. The decisions you make in the first hours following an incident can significantly impact both your medical recovery and your ability to secure compensation for your injuries.

• Seek Medical Attention: Get immediate medical care at an emergency room or urgent care facility, even for wounds that appear minor, as dog bites carry high infection risks.
• Clean the Wound: If medical help is not immediately available, gently clean the bite area with soap and water to reduce bacteria.
• Document the Scene: Take photographs of your injuries, the location where the bite occurred, and the dog if safely possible.
• Gather Owner Information: Obtain the dog owner’s name, contact information, homeowner’s insurance details, and the dog’s vaccination records.
• Report the Incident: Locally, victims should contact Minneapolis Animal Care and Control or Bloomington Animal Control to file an official report of the dog bite.
• Identify Witnesses: Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the dog bite incident.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep all medical records, receipts, and documentation related to your injuries and treatment.
• Avoid Statements: Do not discuss fault or make statements to insurance companies without consulting a qualified dog bite attorney first.

How to Avoid Being Bitten or Attacked by a Dog

It is not always possible to prevent an unfamiliar dog from attacking you, especially if you get caught off guard. However, there are certain warning signs to be aware of. It is important – especially with young children to keep a close watch on any animals wandering near them while they are out playing.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when in public parks where dogs are allowed, in your neighborhood, or at a friend’s house:

• Teach children never to approach an unfamiliar dog
• Do not try to approach an unfamiliar dog who seems to be injured or scared
• Never try to take away food, toys or puppies from a dog
• Watch for signals that a dog is feeling aggressive – such as baring their teeth, growling, raising their hackles, or backing away from you.

Always supervise young children around pets – even if they are a family pet. You cannot know for sure how an animal will react to a child.

Need Legal Help After a Dog Bite Attack in Minneapolis or Bloomington? Call TSR Injury Law Today

Dog bite injuries do more than cause physical pain. Victims often experience long-term trauma after these attacks. Significant bite wounds cause victims and their families to suffer significant and unexpected financial hardship. Thankfully, Minnesota has strict liability laws which give you strong legal protections, but it can still be challenging trying to navigate the legal process and negotiate with the insurance company for the compensation you deserve.

At TSR Injury Law, we understand how dog attacks can impact you emotionally and physically. You don’t have to try to manage your injury case alone. Our legal team is knowledgeable and ready to fight for every dollar you deserve under Minnesota law.

There are no upfront costs when we represent you. Call today to get started and learn more about what we do for dog bite victims in Minnesota.

At TSR Injury Law, we are ready to help you. Call 612 TSR TIME today!