Dog bites can be both terrifying incidents and devastating causes of injury. Often, they leave both physical and psychological scars that affect the victim for years, even decades, after the animal attack. A dog bite lawyer works to help clients recover compensation for expenses associated with the multiple surgeries that are sometimes necessary and can be difficult costs to cover in 2026 and beyond.
At Betz & Port, we have more than 50 years of combined experience serving personal injury clients across a wide range of cases. We know that the emotional and social consequences of a traumatic history with “man’s best friend” can complicate seemingly unrelated areas of your life long after medical professionals have declared your physical treatment complete. That is why our personal injury lawyers devote themselves to helping each client recover fair compensation for the damages they have suffered. The optimal strategy for a dog bite case depends on the specifics of the incident, so call 763-450-9494 to schedule a personal consultation with a member of our team.
Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Get You More for Dog Bite Claims?
Each situation is a unique combination of multiple variables, so we try to avoid making broad predictions about outcomes without knowing the facts of a particular case. In general, however, dog bite lawyers tend to be positioned to help their clients maximize compensation for their dog bite claims. The most obvious reason for this potential advantage is the formal legal training attorneys receive during law school, but an underrated benefit can sometimes stem from the simple fact that a dog bite lawyer will not have the added difficulty of needing to deal with their own physical and emotional recovery from the same incident as they work through the case.
Summary of Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries
A dog bite lawyer can help clients recover compensation for injuries and emotional trauma from a dog attack.
- In Minnesota, the law makes dog owners strictly liable for damages if the victim was acting peaceably and had a legal right to be there, but owners may use defenses like provocation or trespassing.
- A lawyer will conduct a comprehensive investigation to prepare for these defenses and determine if the owner’s insurance policy covers the incident.
- They then use negotiation to secure a fair settlement and are prepared to pursue litigation if negotiations fail, often working on a contingency fee basis.
Consider scheduling an appointment with a Minnesota personal injury attorney from Betz & Port, P.A. to learn more about your legal rights.
Liability: Minnesota Dog Bite Laws
In some states, the liability laws surrounding dog bite claims can be extremely complex. A Minnesota dog bite lawyer may face many challenges in recovering compensation for a client, but determining whether a dog’s owner is liable for the costs of the client’s injuries stemming from the dog bite is not usually one of them.
Is an Owner Liable for Dog Bites in Minnesota?
Minn. Rev. Stat. § 341.22 (2025) clearly establishes that a dog’s owner is responsible for damages to the “full amount” of a victim’s injury whenever all of the following conditions apply:
- The bite victim had a legal right to be at the place where the bite occurred.
- The bite victim was “acting peaceably” at the time of the bite.
- The victim had not provoked the animal prior to the attack.
Although these legal specifications make Minnesota’s dog bite laws simpler to navigate than those in some other states, there are still several tactics a dog’s owner might try to use to deny liability. A conversation with a member of our team at Betz & Port may help you identify the defenses a dog owner is likely to use in your particular case.
Legal Defenses to Dog Bite Laws
Some of the most common defenses animal owners and their attorneys may try to use against dog bite claims include:
- The victim was on private property and had been told to leave (i.e., did not actually have a legal right to be at the location where they were injured).
- The victim was behaving aggressively or erratically, in a way the dog might have perceived as threatening.
- The victim directly provoked the dog, implying that the dog would not have attacked if the bite victim had not engaged in taunting or other provocative behavior.
What you will likely notice is that the strategies for contesting a dog bite claim tend to center on arguing that one of the conditions for liability does not apply. To prepare for the possibility of such an argument, a Bloomington dog bite lawyer will typically initiate a comprehensive dog bite investigation promptly after taking a client’s case.
Evidence and Investigation
A fact many people may not be aware of until they are actually bitten by a dog (or until their dog bites someone) is that many dog bite claims are covered by the owner’s homeowner’s insurance. This coverage can depend on a variety of factors. One of the most important is whether the dog’s owner carries homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance, which often covers similar circumstances. Assuming the individual had personal liability coverage under one of these policies, then the terms of the policy will also play a role in determining the circumstances under which the insurance company will provide payment for a dog bite injury. In some instances, the location of the animal attack may be a consideration in whether a bite is covered under the terms of a specific policy.
The possibility of insurance coverage is another reason why a Minnesota dog bite lawyer will often devote significant time and effort to conducting a detailed investigation into the circumstances of a dog bite case. Not only will it be important to obtain all of the facts to anticipate and prepare for the bite owner’s potential defenses, but it may also be necessary to provide an insurance company with clear evidence demonstrating that the dog bite incident fell within the parameters outlined in the dog owner’s policy.
Negotiation
Negotiation is a very typical part of the process for resolving dog bite claims. Negotiation can take place whether you are suing a dog’s owner directly or trying to recover compensation from the owner’s insurance. Negotiation can also happen either before or after you have filed a “legal action” (a civil lawsuit) in the Minnesota courts.
The essence of negotiation is that, if the two sides are able to come to an agreement on a fair value for compensation, then going through the lengthy and expensive process of litigation may not be necessary. Unfortunately, both individuals and insurance companies will often make intensive efforts to avoid making a settlement offer that fully covers a bite victim’s damages. One of the services a dog bite lawyer typically provides for clients is to negotiate on their behalf, bringing the benefit of their experience with other personal injury cases to the table to evaluate whether an offer is fair.
Litigation: If Negotiation Fails
If negotiation fails to deliver an acceptable settlement, then a dog bite lawyer may further assist his or her client by pursuing compensation in the Minnesota courts. Personal injury attorneys typically work on what is known as a “contingency fee” basis, which means that they do not receive payment unless the client receives a settlement through negotiation or a favorable verdict through litigation.
What the contingency fee means for dog bite victims, in addition to the way it defers attorney fees to the conclusion of the case, is that a personal injury lawyer is unlikely to accept a case unless they think the bite victim is likely to prevail in court, based on the merits of the case. The same assessment will often lead the opposing party’s legal counsel to draw similar conclusions, so it is very common for cases involving dog bite injuries to settle before they reach trial.
Speak With Our Dog Bite Lawyers
If you have been the victim of a dog bite in the Bloomington area, you may have questions about your options for recovering compensation for your injuries. While Minnesota law does make dog owners liable for injuries inflicted by their animals under most circumstances, the specifics of the individual case may affect how you go about seeking compensation. A dog bite lawyer with Betz & Port may be able to review the facts of your situation and help you evaluate the possible steps to take. Give our office a call at 763-450-9494 to schedule a consultation.
Important Frequently Asked Questions for Dog Bite Victims
Listed below are several common FAQs for dog bite victims in Minnesota.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Dog Bite Cases?
Dog bite injuries may include puncture wounds, lacerations, infections, nerve damage, and scarring. In some cases, individuals also experience lasting emotional or psychological effects related to the incident.
How Does Minnesota Law Address Dog Bite Liability?
Minnesota follows a strict liability standard for dog bites under Minn. Rev. Stat. § 341.22. Dog owners may be responsible for damages when the injured person was legally present, acting peaceably, and did not provoke the animal.
Can a Dog Owner Raise Defenses to a Dog Bite Claim?
Yes, dog owners may argue defenses such as trespassing, provocation, or aggressive behavior by the injured individual. These defenses typically focus on whether one of the statutory requirements for liability was not met.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Dog Bite Injuries?
Many dog bite claims are covered under homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies, depending on the policy terms and the circumstances of the incident. Coverage may vary based on factors such as location, policy exclusions, and liability limits.
Why Is Investigation Important After a Dog Bite Incident?
A detailed investigation helps clarify how the incident occurred, identify potential defenses, and determine whether insurance coverage applies. Evidence may include witness statements, medical records, photographs, and policy documentation.
How Are Dog Bite Claims Often Resolved?
Dog bite claims are frequently resolved through negotiation with an insurance company or opposing party. When negotiations do not result in an acceptable outcome, the matter may proceed through the Minnesota civil court system.
What Does It Mean When a Case Is Handled on a Contingency Fee Basis?
A contingency fee arrangement generally means attorney fees are tied to the outcome of the case rather than paid upfront. This structure is common in personal injury matters, including dog bite claims.
How Can Betz & Port, P.A. Assist With a Dog Bite Case?
Attorneys at Betz & Port, P.A. work to help individuals understand Minnesota dog bite laws, insurance issues, and potential legal options. Consider visiting with an experienced attorney at Betz & Port, P.A. to learn more about how these cases are evaluated and pursued under state law.