Dog Bite Attorneys Serving Wisconsin and Minnesota
A dog attack can cause painful injuries, permanent scarring, emotional trauma, and an immediate concern about infection or rabies exposure. Children are especially vulnerable, but a serious bite or knockdown injury can affect anyone.
Bosshard Parke represents people injured by dogs throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota. Attorney Howard J. Eglash investigates the circumstances of the attack, identifies the dog owner and available insurance coverage, documents the full effect of the injuries, and pursues fair compensation under the law that applies to the claim.
You do not have to manage the insurance process alone. Fill out the form to request a free consultation about a potential dog bite claim.
Schedule A Free Dog Bite Consultation
What to Do After a Dog Bite or Attack
Your immediate priorities are safety and medical care. When circumstances allow, the following steps may help protect your health and preserve information about the incident.
- Get to safety and seek immediate medical attention. Immediately, obtain medical evaluation for infection, tissue damage, tetanus, rabies exposure, or other injuries. Local 24-hour emergency departments include Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse, Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse and Sparta, Vernon Health in Viroqua, and Winona Health in Minnesota. In an emergency, follow the direction of first responders or go to the nearest appropriate emergency department.
- Report the incident. Contact the appropriate police, animal-control, or public-health authority and ask how to obtain a copy of the report.
- Identify the dog and owner. Collect the owner’s name, address, contact information, and insurance information, along with information about where the dog is normally kept.
- Document the injuries and location. Photograph the wounds, torn clothing, blood, property conditions, warning signs, gates, fencing, and the area where the attack occurred.
- Preserve records and communications. Keep medical records, bills, wage information, photographs showing healing and scarring, and messages with the owner or insurer.
- Contact personal injury attorney Howard J. Eglash promptly. He can investigate responsibility and insurance coverage, preserve evidence, and evaluate the laws and deadlines that may apply.
Dog Bite Laws in Wisconsin and Minnesota
Wisconsin and Minnesota both have statutes addressing injuries caused by dogs, but the legal standards are not identical. The details surrounding the attack, including provocation, lawful presence, ownership, prior incidents, and comparative fault, may affect a claim. Bosshard Parke can evaluate which state’s law applies and how it may affect the case.
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- Wisconsin law generally makes a dog owner liable for the full amount of damages caused when the dog injures a person, domestic animal, or property. Wisconsin law may allow double damages in certain situations when the owner had notice of a qualifying prior injury caused by the dog.
- Minnesota law generally makes an owner liable when a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures a person who was acting peaceably in a place where the person could lawfully be. Minnesota’s statutory definition of an owner may include a person harboring or keeping the dog.
How Bosshard Parke Builds a Dog Bite Case
A strong dog bite claim connects the circumstances of the attack with the injuries, future needs, responsible parties, and available insurance. Bosshard Parke gathers the evidence needed to evaluate each of those issues and presents the claim clearly to the insurer or court.
Dog Bite and Attack Claims We Handle
- Bites causing puncture wounds, infection, or nerve damage
- Facial injuries, scarring, and disfigurement
- Attacks involving children
- Knockdown and fall injuries caused by dogs
- Attacks occurring at homes, rental properties, businesses, or public places
Our Dog Bite Case Process
Meet Our Personal Injury Attorney
Attorney Howard J. Eglash brings more than 35 years of trial and litigation experience to Bosshard Parke’s personal injury practice. He has represented individuals and families in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and other serious injuries.
Howard is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and Minnesota and previously served as President of the La Crosse County Bar Association. Regardless of the size of the case, he believes every client deserves personal attention, clear guidance, and compassionate representation.
Why Choose Bosshard Parke for a Dog Bite Claim?
- Decades of Injury and Trial Experience. Bosshard Parke brings extensive experience in investigation, insurance negotiation, mediation, and litigation to dog bite and other injury matters.
- Personal Attention From an Experienced Attorney. Clients receive direct guidance, practical answers, and representation tailored to the injuries and circumstances.
- Wisconsin and Minnesota Representation. Bosshard Parke represents injured people throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota, including the La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, and Winona areas.
- Detailed Case Preparation. We document how the attack occurred, identify responsible parties and insurance coverage, and explain the immediate and long-term effects of the injuries.
- Prepared to Negotiate or Litigate. We pursue a fair resolution through careful case-building and negotiation while remaining prepared to take the case to court when necessary.
- Free Dog Bite Case Evaluation. Initial injury case evaluations are free. Personal injury matters are handled on a contingency basis, and the written fee agreement explains attorney fees and responsibility for case expenses.
Howard Eglash was my attorney at the firm and he has gone to great lengths in my situation. The firms attorneys are without a doubt the best in the La Crosse area as Mr. Eglash is the most professional I have seen.
Bosshard Parke Client
Dog Bite Representation Across the Region
With offices in La Crosse and Sparta, Bosshard Parke represents people injured by dogs throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.
Office Locations
- La Crosse, WI
- Sparta, WI
Additional Areas We Serve
- Onalaska, WI
- West Salem, WI
- Black River Falls, WI
- Holmen, WI
- Tomah, WI
- Vernon County, WI
- La Crescent, MN
- Winona, MN
Don’t see your area listed above? Give us a call at 608-782-1469.
Dog Bite FAQs
What should I do immediately after a dog bite?
Move to a safe place and seek prompt medical attention. Report the incident to the appropriate local authority, document your injuries and the location of the attack, identify the dog and its owner, and collect witness information when possible. Follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local public-health officials regarding infection, tetanus, and possible rabies exposure.
Is a dog owner liable if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
A prior bite is not always required. Wisconsin and Minnesota both have statutes that may impose liability without requiring proof that the dog previously bit someone. Prior incidents can still be important, particularly when evaluating enhanced damages under Wisconsin law or other claims and defenses.
How are Wisconsin and Minnesota dog bite claims different?
Wisconsin’s statute generally addresses damage caused by a dog and may allow double damages in certain cases involving notice of a qualifying prior injury. Minnesota’s statute focuses on an unprovoked attack or injury to a person acting peaceably in a place where the person may lawfully be. The exact facts and current law should be reviewed by an attorney.
Can a child bring a dog bite claim?
A child may have a claim, but a parent or guardian generally manages the legal process on the child’s behalf. Because scarring, emotional trauma, and future treatment needs may not be immediately clear, a child’s claim should be evaluated carefully before any settlement is accepted.
Does homeowners or renters insurance cover a dog bite?
It may. Dog bite claims are often handled through homeowners, renters, farm, umbrella, or commercial liability coverage. Policies may contain exclusions, limits, notice requirements, or restrictions involving particular animals or prior incidents. Every potentially applicable policy should be reviewed.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
Deadlines depend on the state, the legal basis for the claim, the injured person’s age, and other circumstances. Claims involving government entities or injuries to children may involve additional rules. Speak with an attorney promptly rather than relying on a general deadline.
What if the insurance company says I provoked the dog?
Provocation and the injured person’s conduct can affect a dog bite claim, but an insurer’s allegation does not settle the issue. The events leading to the attack, witness accounts, video, the injured person’s age, and the law of the applicable state should all be reviewed before fault is accepted.
How much does it cost to hire Bosshard Parke?
Bosshard Parke offers a free dog bite case evaluation. These matters are handled on a contingency basis, meaning attorney fees are not owed unless compensation is recovered. The written fee agreement will explain the terms and responsibility for case expenses.
Talk With a Dog Bite Attorney Serving Wisconsin and Minnesota
After a dog bite or attack, you may have questions about medical expenses, scarring, insurance coverage, responsibility, or what to do next. Bosshard Parke can review the circumstances, explain which state laws may apply, and help you evaluate your options.
To schedule a free dog bite case evaluation, call 608-782-1469, or request a consultation below.