Getting injured in an animal attack in Detroit can be a traumatic event. Utility, postal, and delivery workers face the highest risk of sustaining a dog bite. The United States Postal Service ranked Detroit as the 9th worst city for dog attacks on postal workers for 2022.
Common injuries caused by animal bites include nerve damage, broken bones, torn tendons, missing digits, torn facial tissue, and deep lacerations. Even minor injuries from a dog bite attack can lead to infections such as rabies and tetanus. These dog bite injuries incur massive medical bills, cause significant physical pain and psychological trauma, and require time away from work to heal.
Seek compensation for damages caused by a dog bite attack with the help of an experienced dog bite attorney from the law office of Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. We help dog bite accident victims get the compensation they deserve from negligent dog owners to cover all aspects of recovery after a dog bite incident.
A responsible dog owner knows they have a legal duty of care to protect the public from injuries caused by their dog. If they fail in this duty and their dog causes harm, the victim can file a claim for damages.
Michigan’s dog bite law places strict liability for all dog bite damages on the pet owner if the attack happens on public property or if the victim is lawfully on private property. This law applies regardless of the dog’s prior aggressive behavior or the owner’s previous knowledge.
You may need the help of a legal professional to file an insurance claim against the dog owner with their homeowner’s insurance policy. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance typically cover liability claims for dog bites. The upper limits for homeowner’s insurance usually range from $100,000 to $300,000. Some people also carry umbrella insurance covering damages above their liability policy limits.
The dog bite statute provides specific elements that your personal injury attorney must prove to bring a dog bite claim. Dog bite victims must:
In Michigan, you have three years from when the attack occurred to file a case within the statute of limitations. The court will likely reject your claim if you do not file your bite lawsuit within the deadline.
If a dog has injured you, you must take the proper steps to protect your health and well-being. These steps can also safeguard your right to maximum compensation.
If possible, take pictures of your injuries, including tissue damage, punctures, scrapes, or breaks. Also, take photos of any damage to your personal property, such as torn clothes or broken eyeglasses. Ask for the contact information of nearby witnesses for your lawyer to contact them for testimonies.
In addition to calling for medical attention, you must contact animal control or the police as soon as possible. They will investigate the incident and likely take the dangerous animal away from its owners. Animal control may order the dog to be put to sleep. Reporting the incident to the authorities can help keep an aggressive dog from attacking another person.
Calling animal control and the police can help you build a case for your personal injury claim. These organizations complete reports regarding the incident with the dangerous animal, which record the facts of what happened. You can access the police report and provide it to your lawyer so they can use it to build your case.
If a dog bite injures you, seek immediate medical attention. Your injury may be more serious than it appears, and without medical attention, even a non-life-threatening injury can become infected and threaten your health. Although adrenaline from the accident might mask injuries, even minor puncture wounds can become infected if not treated immediately.
It’s vital to receive thorough medical attention after a dog bite because your medical records form the basis for your case. Your attorney will use your hospital or doctor’s records to build evidence supporting your claim and prove that the dog bite caused your injuries and subsequent medical bills and emotional trauma.
After receiving medical care for your injuries, contact a dog bite lawyer to understand your legal options. A dog bite attorney from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can discuss your rights under Michigan’s personal injury and dog bite laws and determine if you are eligible to receive compensation.
After hiring your attorney, they will review your medical records, the police or animal control report, and documentation you gathered from the incident. Your attorney will investigate your claim by checking animal control records to determine whether the dog had previously displayed dangerous behavior. They can also consult dog bite experts to support your case.
As they prepare your case, your lawyer will help you file your claim with the pet owner’s insurance company for fair compensation. If the insurance company refuses to pay, your lawyer will help you seek damages through the Michigan civil courts.
Your claim for damages should include compensation for your hospital bills, physical therapy, lost wages, out-of-pocket costs such as medications and sterile bandage material, and additional medical cost for care of the physical effects of the bite. If you suffer an injury that precludes your ability to work, fair compensation would include your loss of earning capacity.
If you sustained a severe injury, your compensation claim could request various psychological damages such as loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, emotional distress, and the inconvenience of sustaining permanent damage. Loss of enjoyment of life refers to your inability to participate in your usual activities.
Once your personal injury lawyer has calculated a fair settlement, your lawyer begins negotiations with the insurance company. The company will probably use a provocation defense to protect its customers from liability and their bottom line. This defense argues that your actions provoked the bite incident.
Dog bite injury lawyers understand how to counter this defense and other tactics the insurance company uses to avoid paying dog bite compensation. They can use depositions from bite experts and the health care provider who treated your injuries to prove your claim. Your attorney can take the case to trial if the company refuses to offer a fair bite settlement award.
If negotiations fail, an attorney with our law firm can take the insurance company to court. Our personal injury lawyers have an extensive network of expert witnesses who can support your case. We can help you hold the dog owner accountable for your injuries and suffering.
If you are a dog bite victim, the experienced dog bite attorneys with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. will work to get you a maximum settlement award. Eileen Kroll, a partner attorney, has been a member of the Association of Justice for nearly 25 years and works tirelessly to support victims injured in personal injury cases.
She also has experience as a registered nurse, which gives her intimate knowledge of understanding medical records and the physical and emotional consequences of personal injuries. Together with the experienced legal team at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C., she has won millions in damages for clients.
If you need to take legal action to get compensated for a dog bite attack in the Detroit area, contact an experienced lawyer with our firm. We can guide you through Michigan’s dog bite liability laws and help you get the compensation you deserve.
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 (1-866-642-4529) and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.
