One moment, you are walking along the Detroit Riverwalk. A neighbor’s dog lunges off-leash and sinks its teeth into your arm. In the seconds that follow, the world changes: there is blood, panic, and pain, and you have no idea what to do next.
In Michigan, a dog owner is strictly liable for bite injuries under MCL 287.351, regardless of the dog’s prior history. Victims bitten in Detroit or Wayne County can recover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You have three years from the date of the bite to file, though minor victims have until age 21. Cochran, Kroll & Associates handles all cases on contingency.
The dog bite injury claim team at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has spent decades representing Michigan injury victims. We are Wayne County attorneys, not a distant firm listing Detroit as a checkbox. Our Livonia office sits in the same county as Detroit, and we know the courts, the insurance carriers, and the local landscape.
Michigan’s strict liability law (MCL 287.351) holds dog owners fully responsible for bite injuries, with no requirement to prove the dog was previously dangerous.
Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) generates official bite reports that become critical legal evidence; requesting this report early is one of the most important steps you can take.
Most dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out-of-pocket, even if the bite happened in a Detroit park or on a public sidewalk.
Nurse-attorney Eileen Kroll, RN/JD evaluates the medical evidence in every dog bite case, a clinical advantage no competitor offers.
The statute of limitations for most victims is three years from the bite date, but minor victims have until age 21 to file under MCL 600.5851.
Why Detroit Dog Bite Victims Choose Cochran, Kroll & Associates
Detroit is one of Michigan’s most competitive legal markets. Volume firms run TV ads around the clock. What separates Cochran is not brand saturation. It is what actually determines whether a dog bite case is won or lost.
Nurse-Attorney Eileen Kroll, RN/JD
The central issue in every dog bite case is medical evidence: the depth and location of the wound, the infection course, nerve and tissue damage, the prognosis for scarring, and the psychological trauma of being attacked. Eileen Kroll evaluates all of this from a trained clinical perspective before it becomes a legal argument. No other Detroit-area competitor employs a nurse-attorney. It is a genuine difference in how evidence gets built.
Wayne County Presence, Not a Distant Statewide Listing
Cochran’s Livonia office is in Wayne County, the same county as Detroit. Our attorneys are familiar with the 3rd Circuit Court, with local insurance adjusters, and with the specific dynamics of dog bite claims in Detroit neighborhoods. When a case goes to trial, local knowledge matters.
A Track Record of Significant Michigan Recoveries
case results and client reviews before you call. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect how we fight for every client.
Contingency Fee: No Upfront Costs, Ever
Cochran handles all Detroit dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no retainer. No hourly billing. No cost to start. We advance the costs of building your case, including expert witnesses, medical record collection, and DACC records, and recover those costs only from a successful outcome. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing.
Featured in the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, WDIV-TV, and Fox 2 Detroit.
Super Lawyers recognition: Terry L. Cochran.
Preeminent rated: Terry L. Cochran and Eileen E. Kroll.
Members of the Michigan and American Trial Lawyers Associations.
This is a step most victims and most attorneys overlook. Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC), located at 7401 Chrysler Drive, is the city agency responsible for investigating dog bites within Detroit city limits. Outside Detroit city limits, Wayne County Animal Control takes over.
When a bite is reported to DACC, the agency investigates the incident, quarantines the dog for a 10-day rabies observation period, and creates an official incident report. That report documents the date, location, and description of the attack; the owner’s contact information; and any prior bite complaints or dangerous dog designations already on file for that animal.
Here is why this matters legally: if a Detroit dog owner has prior DACC complaints on record, even from incidents that never resulted in a formal claim, that history establishes a documented dangerous propensity. It strengthens a common law strict liability claim substantially.
Detroit Animal Care and Control Contact
DACC Phone: (313) 224-6323 | Address: 7401 Chrysler Drive, Detroit, MI | Available during business hours | Outside Detroit limits: contact Wayne County Animal Control.
Cochran requests DACC reports, animal history records, and all prior complaint files as part of the immediate case investigation. These records can be purged over time. Contacting an attorney quickly after a bite is not just legal advice. It is evidence preservation.
How Are Detroit Dog Bite Claims Actually Compensated?
The most common reason Detroit dog bite victims do not call a lawyer is the assumption that if the dog owner has no obvious money, there is nothing to recover. That assumption is usually wrong.
The Role of Homeowners’ and Renter’s Insurance
The majority of dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance liability coverage. These policies typically cover dog bite incidents regardless of where the bite happens, including in a Detroit park, on a sidewalk, or inside the owner’s home. Standard Michigan homeowner’s liability coverage ranges from $100,000 to $300,000. Some policies carry umbrella coverage that goes higher.
Cochran handles all communication with the insurance adjuster directly. You do not negotiate alone. The adjuster’s job is to minimize what you are paid. Our job is the opposite.
What If the Dog Owner Has No Insurance?
If there is no homeowner’s or renter’s coverage, compensation may come from the owner’s personal assets. In Detroit’s dense rental housing market, there is another avenue that competitors consistently overlook: landlord liability.
A Detroit landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous, received prior complaints, and failed to require the dog’s removal or enforce lease terms can be independently liable for the injuries caused. That liability opens access to the landlord’s property insurance, which typically carries substantially higher limits than a renter’s personal policy.
Cochran investigates all available insurance sources before reaching any conclusion about recovery options.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Detroit?
The steps you take in the first 24 to 72 hours shape both your medical outcome and the strength of your legal claim. This list is more specific than anything a generic legal website will give you, because Detroit has specific resources and specific risks.
Call 911 or go to the ER immediately. For severe bites: deep facial wounds, significant blood loss, or suspected nerve damage, call 911. Detroit Receiving Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Sinai-Grace Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Michigan (for child victims) all serve Detroit residents. Tell the medical staff the bite came from someone else’s dog.
Wash the wound for at least 5 minutes. Dog bites carry a significant infection risk from Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, and streptococcal bacteria. Infection can develop within 24 to 48 hours. This step is not optional.
Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s full legal name, address, and phone number. Ask for the dog’s rabies vaccination records. If the owner refuses or the dog is unowned, call DACC at (313) 224-6323 immediately.
Report the bite to DACC. A DACC report creates an official record, triggers mandatory quarantine, and documents any prior complaint history for that dog. Request a copy of the report as soon as it is available.
Photograph everything at the scene. The wound, the location, the dog if safely possible, the property condition, and any absence of a leash or restraint. Do this before you leave.
Collect witness information. Names and phone numbers of any neighbors or bystanders who saw the attack or saw the dog running loose.
Preserve your clothing. Do not wash or discard torn or bloodied clothing. It is physical evidence.
Do NOT give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurer. Adjusters move fast. Their questions are designed to limit liability. One wrong phrase can reduce your claim. Call an attorney first.
Call Cochran, Kroll & Associates for a free case evaluation. DACC records, animal history, and witness memory are strongest immediately after the bite. Every day of delay is a day of potential evidence loss.
How Much Is My Detroit Dog Bite Case Worth?
Economic Damages: The Documented Financial Losses
Emergency room care, urgent care, specialist visits, reconstructive surgery, and all follow-up treatment
Infection treatment costs, including additional hospitalization or IV antibiotics if infection develops
Future medical costs: additional surgeries, scar revision, ongoing psychological therapy, permanent care
Lost wages: all income lost during recovery, documented through employment records
Lost future earning capacity, if permanent injury to hands, arms, face, or neurological function impairs your ability to work
Out-of-pocket costs: transportation to treatment, prescriptions, and childcare during recovery
Non-Economic Damages: What Michigan Law Recognizes Beyond the Bills
Physical pain and suffering during the wound and during healing
Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and phobias of dogs are especially significant in child victims and severe attack survivors
Permanent disfigurement and scarring: facial injuries carry the highest non-economic values, and Detroit-area juries take visible permanent scarring seriously
Loss of enjoyment of life: the inability to walk in Detroit parks, feel safe in your neighborhood, or engage normally with the world around you
Loss of consortium: the documented impact on marriage or family relationships
When Can Punitive Damages Apply?
Punitive damages are not available in every dog bite case. Michigan courts require evidence of particularly egregious owner conduct. In Detroit, the following scenarios may support a punitive damages claim:
The dog was trained for fighting or conditioned for aggression (Detroit has documented dog fighting activity; a dog with this history biting a victim is a punitive damages scenario)
The owner had documented prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous behavior, through DACC complaints, prior bite incidents, or neighbor reports, and did nothing
The dog was not leashed or confined in violation of Detroit’s ordinances despite prior warnings
The owner’s conduct was not simply careless but recklessly indifferent to the risk their dog posed
Punitive damages, when available, are separate from and additional to compensatory damages. Cochran investigates the dog’s full history through DACC records, prior complaint files, veterinary behavior records, and neighbor testimony to evaluate whether punitive damages are warranted.
Factors That Affect Your Detroit Claim’s Value
Factor
Impact on Detroit Claim Value
Injury severity and permanency
Permanent nerve damage, facial scarring requiring reconstruction, or lasting PTSD substantially increase both economic and non-economic recovery
Facial or high-visibility injury
Bites to the face, neck, or hands carry more serious non-economic damages, particularly in children, due to psychological impact and social visibility
Child victim
Elevated jury sympathy; stronger challenge to provocation defenses; minor victim tolling extends the filing window significantly
Documented owner knowledge
DACC’s prior complaint records, prior bite incidents, or neighbor testimony about the dog’s history substantially strengthen the claim
Punitive factors present
Training for fighting, gross neglect, or documented prior dangerous behavior can add punitive damages on top of compensatory recovery
Insurance coverage depth
Wayne County cases where the owner has adequate homeowner’s or renter’s coverage resolve more reliably at full value
Complete medical documentation
An unbroken medical record chain from the day of the bite through all treatment is the single most important damage evidence factor
How Much Does a Detroit Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
Zero upfront. No retainer. No hourly billing. Cochran, Kroll & Associates handles Detroit dog bite cases on a pure contingency fee basis.
Case costs, including expert witnesses, medical record acquisition, and court filing fees, are typically advanced by the firm and recovered only from a successful settlement or verdict. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing.
This means any Detroit resident, regardless of their financial situation, has immediate access to experienced personal injury representation. The initial case evaluation is completely free and carries no obligation to hire. Call us, ask questions, and decide.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Detroit?
Under MCL 600.5805, Michigan’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is three years from the date of the bite. Missing this deadline permanently eliminates the right to recover, regardless of how strong the case is.
Critical Exception for Minor Victims (MCL 600.5851)
If the bite victim was under 18 at the time of the attack, the three-year window does not begin until their 18th birthday. A 10-year-old child bitten today has until age 21 to file. Detroit parents who believe their child’s claim window closed years ago may find it is still open.
That said, the statute of limitations is not the real reason to act quickly. DACC records can be purged. Witnesses move or forget. Security camera footage from nearby Detroit businesses gets overwritten in 30 to 90 days. The legal window may stay open for years, but the best evidence closes much faster.
How Does Michigan’s Dog Bite Law Actually Work?
strict liability for dog bite injuries under MCL 287.351. This is one of the strongest victim-protection frameworks in the country.
You do not need to prove the dog was known to be dangerous. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent. If you were bitten while lawfully on public or private property, and the dog was not provoked, the owner is liable.
The Two Defenses Owners Use and Why They Often Fail
Provocation: The owner may claim you provoked the dog. Michigan courts evaluate this on a case-by-case basis, and provocation must be genuine, not just startling the dog or walking near it. Eileen Kroll’s clinical perspective helps reconstruct exactly what happened before the bite and whether the owner’s provocation claim holds up medically.
Trespassing: If you were not lawfully on the property, the owner’s liability is significantly reduced. But being a guest, a delivery worker, a child cutting through a yard, or anyone on a public sidewalk all constitute lawful presence.
Michigan Also Recognizes Common Law Strict Liability and Negligence Claims
Beyond the statute, Michigan common law allows a strict liability claim if the owner knew or should have known about the animal’s dangerous propensities. This is where DACC complaint records become especially powerful: prior complaints on file can establish that the owner knew and did nothing.
If you were bitten or attacked by a dog, don’t wait to get legal help. Michigan law holds dog owners accountable, and you deserve compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain.
Contact us at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and map out the strongest path forward. Remember, we don’t get paid unless you win.
Call us at 1-866-MICH-LAW anytime, 24/7, to schedule a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Detroit Dog Bite Lawyer
Does a dog have to have bitten someone before for the owner to be liable in Detroit?
No. Michigan’s strict liability law under MCL 287.351 removes the so-called ‘one bite rule’ entirely. An owner is liable for a first bite, a second bite, and any bite, provided the victim was lawfully present and did not provoke the dog. Prior bite history is irrelevant to statutory liability, though it can increase damages.
What if the dog knocked me down but didn't technically bite me?
A knockdown without a bite may still support a negligence or common law strict liability claim if the owner knew the dog had a history of jumping on people. The statutory strict liability law requires an actual bite. However, serious injuries from knockdowns are common, and Michigan courts have recognized negligence claims for non-bite dog attacks. Contact us, and we will evaluate which theory applies to your situation.
The owner says I provoked the dog. Do I still have a case?
Often yes. Michigan courts evaluate provocation on the specific facts, not the owner’s version of them. Accidental provocation (stepping on a dog, startling it) is treated differently from intentional provocation. Our team reconstructs what actually happened, using witness statements, DACC records, and Eileen Kroll’s clinical analysis of the bite pattern.
My child was bitten by a dog in Detroit. How long do they have to file?
Under MCL 600.5851, the three-year statute of limitations does not begin until the child’s 18th birthday. A 10-year-old bitten today has until age 21 to file. However, evidence does not wait for deadlines. Contact us now so that DACC records and witness information can be preserved while they are still available.
The dog owner is a renter with no homeowner's insurance. What happens to my claim?
We investigate all available insurance sources before concluding that no recovery pathway exists. In Detroit’s rental housing market, a landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to act can be independently liable, opening access to the landlord’s property insurance. We also evaluate the owner’s personal assets and any umbrella policies.
I was bitten while delivering packages in Detroit. What are my rights?
Delivery workers are lawfully on private property by invitation under Michigan law. The strict liability statute applies directly. You have full rights to pursue a claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. Whether you are delivering for a major carrier or an independent service, your lawful presence on that property is protected.
Can I report the bite to DACC even if it happened weeks ago?
Yes, DACC will take a report regardless of when the bite occurred. However, the sooner you report, the stronger the record. Early reports preserve the quarantine timeline, capture owner information before it changes, and may uncover prior complaint history on the dog before files are purged.
Is my child's facial scar worth more in a Detroit dog bite case?
In practice, yes. Michigan juries and courts recognize that permanent facial scarring carries substantial non-economic damages, particularly in children. The visibility of the scar, the psychological impact, and the potential for social consequences all factor into the damage calculation. These cases warrant the clinical perspective Eileen Kroll brings.
How much is my Detroit dog bite case worth?
No attorney can give you an honest dollar figure before reviewing the medical records, the DACC report, the insurance coverage, and the full circumstances of the attack. What we can tell you is that Michigan’s strict liability law gives Detroit victims a strong foundation. Call us for a free evaluation, and we will give you a real assessment of your case.
Can I get punitive damages for a Detroit dog bite?
In limited circumstances, yes. Punitive damages require evidence of egregious owner conduct beyond ordinary negligence, such as a dog trained for fighting, an owner who ignored documented DACC complaints, or an owner who was recklessly indifferent to the danger their dog posed. Cochran investigates the full animal history to evaluate this in every case.
What does it cost to hire Cochran for a Detroit dog bite case?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no retainer and no hourly fee. We are paid only when compensation is recovered. The initial case evaluation is free. Call 1-866-MICH-LAW or contact us online.
RESULTS-DRIVEN TRACK RECORD
$15.8 Million
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Monroe, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A young couple from Monroe, Michigan, was awarded a $15.8 million verdict as the result of their baby son, Jason, being inflicted with Cerebral Palsy as the result of an error during the final stages of a labor.
Result: $15.8 Million
$1 Million
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Oakland County, Michigan
What Happened:
While in the hospital a mother of three was not properly treated for a closed-head injury causing her untimely death.
Result: $1 Million
$1.4 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Brain Injury
Livonia, Michigan
What Happened:
A Livonia pedestrian recovered $1.4 million when he was struck by a commercial van resulting in a traumatic brain injury in Redford, Michigan.
Result: $1.4 Million
$9 Million
Medical Malpractice / Misdiagnosis
Wayne County, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
Patient suffered cardiac arrest and brain damage when a hospital failed to recognize internal bleeding and treatment was delayed for more than 14 hours.
Result: $9 Million
$3.3 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Tuscola County, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A Tuscola County jury awarded $3.3 million to a severely brain injured motorist as the result of a defective Michigan highway.
Result: $3.3 Million
$1.25 Million
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Flint, Michigan
WHAT HAPPENED:
A seventeen-year-old construction worker suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall in Flint, Michigan, and was awarded $1.25 million.
Result: $1.25 Million
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Middle-aged woman suffered severe disfiguring facial burns from a simple surgical procedure.
Result: $1.9 Million
$3.8 Million
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Southern Michigan
What Happened:
Child developed cerebral palsy with developmental delays due to lack of oxygen and brain injury during labor and delivery.
A Westland construction worker recovered $1.5 million after sustaining a traumatic brain injury while on a construction site in Detroit, Michigan.
Result: $1.5 Million
$1.3 Million
Accidents & Injuries/Truck Accident
Marlette, Michigan
What Happened:
A Marlette, Michigan, family reached a $1.3 million settlement in the traffic death of their 5-year-old son when they were struck by a semi truck.
Result: $1.3 Million
$225,000
Medical Malpractice/Cancer Misdiagnosis
Redford, Michigan
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The misdiagnosis of breast cancer resulted in a Redford, Michigan, woman recovering $225,000.
Result: $225,000
$125,000
Workers Compensation
Detroit, Michigan
What Happened:
A construction worker redeemed his worker’s compensation case for $125,000 in Detroit, Michigan.
Result: $125,000
$400,000
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Monroe, Michigan
What Happened:
A paraplegic woman from Monroe, Michigan, recovered Michigan no-fault benefits including the purchase of a new home and attendant care in excess of $400,000.
Result: $125,000
$2.2 Million
Medical Malpractice/Birth Injury
Brighton, Michigan; Detroit, Michigan
What Happened:
A Brighton family recovered $1.3 million and a Detroit family recovered $900,000 as the result of birth injuries and medical malpractice to their children.
Result: $2.2
$80,000
Accidents & Injuries/Auto Accident
Bay City, Michigan
What Happened:
A Bay City grandmother was awarded $80,000 following an auto accident resulting in a broken leg.
Result: $80,000
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