Dog Bite Lawyer in Livonia

For dog bite victims, recovering from injuries can take significant time, energy, and money. Severe dog bites can fracture bones and cause permanent nerve damage, and in rare cases, can even kill. Even mild bites can cause significant psychological harm due to the trauma of a sudden dog attack.

You deserve compensation for your suffering, even if the dog’s owner is a friend or family member. In some cases, you may be able to cover your medical bills by filing a claim against the homeowner’s insurance policy covering the dog’s owner. Other times, a different type of suit is necessary. An experienced dog bite lawyer at our law firm can walk you through the options available to you.

First Steps

If a dog bite occurs, it’s critical to document when and where it happened. Get contact information for the owner and any witnesses, then seek immediate medical care.

Even if the bite is minor, it can easily become infected. Dog bite injuries can result in major medical care, including:

• Reconstructive or plastic surgery
• Antibiotic regimens and rabies vaccinations
• Stitches
• Physical therapy
• Casts and bandages

File a police report to ensure there is a record of the incident, and take pictures of the injuries as soon as possible. Then, contact a lawyer with extensive experience in personal injury law. Having extensive evidence in hand can make it easier to win compensation, no matter what kind of suit you end up filing.

Owner Responsibilities

As a general rule, owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs. However, there are a few exceptions for incidents involving provocation or trespass. Dog owners may accuse you of provocation in an attempt to defend themselves against a lawsuit, but in many cases, you can refute their claims.

You may be able to win full compensation for medical bills, especially if the dog’s owner has homeowner’s insurance and the incident happened on their property. In certain very serious attacks, you may even be able to win damages for pain and suffering. Postal workers, utility workers, and utility drivers may be able to file for workers compensation for medical bills and lost wages.

Legal Action

Depending on your relationship to the dog owner, you may be hesitant to file suit. However, it’s important to remember that a homeowner’s insurance policy can cover medical bills, so neither you nor the dog’s owner would have to pay.

Cochran, Kroll and Associates, P.C. can help you sort through the legal issues in your case. Our law firm represents clients all over southeastern Michigan. We help our clients obtain compensation for medical expenses in a wide range of personal injury cases. Call us today at 1-866-308-6261 for a free consultation.