Michigan Dog Bite Lawsuit Complaint

You may file a lawsuit in Michigan to recover compensation for your injuries after a dog bite attack. Under Michigan law, the owners of dogs that bite and cause injury are responsible for the damages. An experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can explain your rights and the steps to take when seeking damages suffered in the attack.

What Goes into a Dog Bite Complaint?

The judge will put together a dog bite complaint as part of your dog bite lawsuit process. The purpose of this document is to summon the dog owner for a hearing. It contains information regarding the injuries and damages that their dog’s bite caused.

Your attorney can guide you through the process of proving a dangerous dog by listing all your claims, including any damages they may owe if found guilty, as well as going over the complaint’s requirements:

• The dog was over six months old without a license attached to its collar, ran without its owner, or engaged in unlawful hunting while not under reasonable control of its owner between January 10 and June 15.
• The dog destroyed or habitually caused damage to another person’s property while trespassing.
• There was a dog bite or attack on a person.
• The dog exhibited vicious behavior or attacked while lawfully on a public highway.
• The animal ran at large despite being licensed and wearing a tag.
• It caused severe injury or death to a person or another dog.

How Can I Prove the Dog Bite Caused My Injuries for the Complaint?

The complaint must contain all details to help bolster your claim against the dog owner. Your lawyer can work to cite the violations of Michigan’s dog bite statutes. These dog bite laws regulate when a dog shall be liable if the person was bitten in an attack:

Michigan’s Strict Liability Law

Michigan follows strict liability when it comes to dog bites. You must follow three requirements to hold a person lawfully in possession of the dog liable for any damages:

• The bite caused your injuries.
• You did not do anything to provoke the dog.
• You were lawfully on private property or a public place.

Michigan’s One Bite Statute

The owner is responsible for the first bite as long as you prove you were lawfully on the property and did not provoke the dog. There must be evidence that the owner knew or should have known the dog’s viciousness.

Leash Law for Michigan Owners and Dogs

The dog owner could be liable for negligence if they did not reasonably care for their animal. This negligence may involve letting the dog go off-leash. A dog that bites a person off-leash violates Michigan’s leash law.

What Other Pieces of Evidence Do I Need to Prove My Dog Bite Case?

Your lawyer can then build a case using evidence of your injuries and other relevant facts from the dog attack. We can speak with witnesses who saw the incident and gather their statements. If a witness knows about the owner and their dog’s nature, they can discuss it in their account.

Evidence of your damages, including medical expenses and lost wages from time off work, can show the severity of your injuries and the extent of your recovery time. Other helpful documentation can include:

• Report from the animal control agency to prove the dog owner’s liability.
• Medical records detailing your surgeries and prescriptions.
• Photos showing your personal injuries caused by a dog bite.
• Surveillance footage of the dog’s actions before the incident.
• Paystubs and other documents showing your lost wages and benefits.

Are Landlords Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury?

It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their tenants and visitors. Therefore, one of their duties is to ensure they know about dangerous conditions, including any dangerous dogs owned by tenants.

Michigan landlords could be liable for dog bites if they knew the animal was dangerous and failed to take safety measures by removing it or warning visitors. Your lawyer could prepare a case against the landlord if the dog attack occurred on the owner’s rental property.

Contact an Experienced Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer

The dog bite lawyers at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can guide you through the steps of filing your dog bite lawsuit. If needed, we can investigate the incident, collect evidence, and represent you in negotiations against the dog owner and the landlord.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.