Key Takeaways
- Dog owners are generally liable for any dog bite injuries sustained in most cases.
- A Michigan dog bite lawyer can help you navigate complex cases such as bites that occurred while trespassing.
- A dog bite claim will require evidence to demonstrate the severity of injuries, such as medical records and photos.
- When bit by a dog, it is essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible for your own safety and to combat the potential of contracting rabies.
Sustaining any injury in Michigan can be difficult, but dog bites can be surprisingly complicated. Even so, dog bite victims deserve compensation for any damages suffered through the incident. At Matz Injury Law, we will work with you to understand the unique details of your case and pursue a solution using years of experience with Michigan state personal injury law. Contact our Michigan dog bite attorneys today for a free consultation and case evaluation. Remember, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
Michigan Dog Bite Laws Overview
In Michigan, the owner of the dog is generally liable for any damages caused by dog bite attacks, but there are some relevant qualifications. They are liable only when the dog bite victim was on public property or lawfully on private property. This applies regardless of the dog’s previous history of aggression or biting. Put simply, the dog owner would still be liable even if the dog has no history of viciousness or biting whatsoever.
In the state of Michigan, the dog bite statute is a strict liability statute. That means the dog owner is responsible for the dog’s actions. Dog bite victims have legal rights to pursue compensation through the owner’s liability insurance or the owner’s property and assets to recoup their financial losses.
Steps to Take After a Michigan Dog Bite
After suffering a dog bite in Michigan, the first step to take is to seek medical attention.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Your health will always take priority over any relevant legal issues. Plus, dogs can carry rabies. Even though most dogs do not have rabies and the rabies vaccine is a legal requirement for pets in Michigan, it is worth receiving medical attention to guarantee you are uninfected. Rabies is easy to cure unless the symptoms begin to set in. Once that happens, death is unavoidable, so do not hesitate to get medical attention as soon as possible after your bite.
2. File A Report with Local Animal Control
After a dog bite, you should file a report to local animal control or the local animal control agency within your county about the incident. You should also file a report with the local police department to document your injuries and the case details. If the attack isn’t reported, it is treated as if it never happened. That could seriously compromise any legal case you pursue for compensation. Michigan state law requires all animal bites, including dog bites, to be reported. Some may not wish to report the incident for the sake of a neighbor or to try to avoid getting the dog taken away, but Animal Control has seen these kinds of cases lead to additional bites on people. By reporting a dog bite, you are protecting potential future bite victims.
What Documentation Do I Need for a Michigan Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Documentation for a dog bite lawsuit is relatively straightforward, but you need to make sure that you have everything in place.
- Keep all documentation you receive from your healthcare provider, and ask for a copy of their report.
- Take photos of your injuries from various angles to help demonstrate their severity.
- Keep a journal about how your injuries impact your life, as that can later be used as evidence in your favor.
- Make note of how your work and everyday tasks are affected to use in your injury claim.
These records, combined with a doctor’s report, should serve as good evidence for the nature of your injuries. Any additional evidence should help illustrate the suffering you experienced after the dog bite.
Will the Dog’s Owner Pay for My Medical Bills?
If the attack was unprovoked and occurred while on public property or legally on private property, the dog’s owner must pay for your medical bills for the bite. The dog owner is liable even if the dog has no history of being aggressive or if the owner has no knowledge of the dog’s past aggression.
You may be able to seek compensation for any losses you have, including serious injuries such as nerve damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, or disfigurement. Michigan injury cases allow for comprehensive recovery of damages for your injuries (including scars and disfiguration), pain and suffering, and any current and potential future medical expenses. Additionally, mental health treatment may also be covered in cases where a person suffers post-traumatic stress or depression from the incident.
Dog Bites on Public Property vs. Private Property
If the bite occurred on public property, such as a dog park, the owner of the dog will be liable. The same applies to bites on private property, but only if you were legally on that property. For example, if a friend invites you over to their house and you suffer a dog bite, they would be liable for damages. If you are trespassing, however, the homeowner is generally not liable for damages suffered while you were illegally on private property.
Can I Sue for Pain and Suffering?
While you are free to file whatever kind of legal motion you want, compensation for pain and suffering is very rare in dog bite cases. The only real notable exception is cases in which the dog bit attack left the victim disfigured. Disfigurement and scarring count as pain and suffering; though even then, compensation will likely mostly focus on the cost of plastic surgery to minimize the impact of the bite.
Should I Accept the Settlement Offer For a Dog Bite?
No, you should not accept the settlement offer without speaking to a Michigan dog bite attorney first. Insurance companies will almost always lowball you with a settlement offer since their business model relies on denying as much compensation as possible. Having an experienced Michigan dog bite attorney on your side can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from insurance companies, which tends to be far more than their initial settlement offer.
Will Trespassing Ruin My Chances of Getting Compensation?
For the most part, trespassing will ruin your chances of getting compensation or medical expenses and other damages. The law only allows for compensation if you are legally on someone’s private property. Legal presence on someone else’s property occurs when the property owner invites you to visit or perform work duties on that property.
There are some cases in which this is a bit more complicated. If the trespasser is traveling through private property because it is a popular shortcut, such as a path through the woods to get to a lakeside or something, the property owner may be more expected to provide warnings to trespassers about a dog. Additionally, property owners aren’t permitted to sic their dog on trespassers on purpose once the trespasser is discovered. Consult with a Michigan dog bite lawyer to learn whether you have the right to pursue compensation.
Related Resources
Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law
At Matz Injury Law, we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. However, unlike some other Michigan law firms, our fee is 22% of your winnings rather than the legal maximum of 33.3%. We have spent decades fighting for Michigan personal injury victims and, to date, have earned over $300 million for our clients. Take a look at what some of our previous clients had to say about our services.
Recent Client Testimonials
“I am very pleased with the help from you and everyone in your office. I am glad. You did an awesome job and thank you so much for helping me through all this. Again, thank you so very much.” — Almira W.
“My family is grateful for Steve Matz’s professional handling of our case. Steve was very thorough, candid, responsive, and strategic in his approach throughout our legal proceedings. If ever in a situation again like my family has experienced over the past year, we would immediately retain Matz Injury Law to represent our interests. Thank you Steve.” — John P.
Others’ Negligence is Not Your Responsibility
You should not be the one to pay if a negligent dog owner’s pet bites you. Get in touch with an experienced dog bite attorney at Matz Injury Law to pursue your case. Contact us at 1-866-22Not33 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your Michigan dog bite case. There is no fee for our services if we do not win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are not required to hire an attorney after a Michigan dog bite accident, but it would be highly beneficial. An attorney is experienced in negotiating with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and representing you in court. After an accident, all you’ll likely want to do is focus on recovering from your injuries. We can handle the case details.
In Michigan, dog owners are required to keep their dogs on a leash when in public spaces such as parks or sidewalks. This does not apply to enclosed public dog parks. In some areas of Michigan, the leash length must not exceed a length of six feet to maintain control over the dog.
