Legal Action for Michigan Dog Bite Injuries
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
Dogs that are anxious, poorly trained, or aggressive can deliver dangerous bites to people around them. Many victims of dog bites find themselves saddled with medical bills, long-term scarring, and muscle damage. If the dog bites you without provocation, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation from the dog’s owner.
Under Michigan law, dog owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their dogs. Learn the prerequisites for filing a Michigan dog bite injury lawsuit and how the attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help.
Michigan’s Strict Liability Law
While some states have a one-bite rule for dogs with no previous history of violence, Michigan takes a more rigid approach. Section 287.351 of the Michigan legislature outlines Michigan’s strict liability law regarding dog bites.
The law states that when a dog bites a person without provocation, as long as they are legally on the property, the owner is liable for any damages to the person bitten. The statute applies regardless of former instances of viciousness in the dog and whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
To take legal action against the dog owner for damages suffered, you must show that you were lawfully on private property or a public premises and did not provoke the dog into attacking. However, this is not always easy to prove. The dog’s owner may claim that you were trespassing on their property or initiated interaction with the dog to reduce their liability for the bite.
Holding a dog owner liable for their dog’s actions may require witness testimony, security camera footage, or other evidence showing you were not at fault. A dog bite injury lawyer can help you obtain proof that the owner is responsible.
What Legal Action Can I Take After a Dog Bite?
If you suffered serious losses due to an unprovoked dog bite, you might choose to file a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner. These claims are typically filed with the owner’s homeowners’ or renter’s insurance, even if the bite occurred off the dog owner’s property.
A dog bite claim can cover damages such as:
- Medical expenses: You will be compensated for all medical costs related to the dog bite, such as hospital visits, surgeries, and medication costs. You can also receive compensation for disability adaptations if you become disabled due to the bite.
- Lost wages: If you are severely injured by the bite and cannot work at full capacity, you can seek compensation for lost earning capacity for future wages. Your settlement can also cover wages you missed due to time off during your initial recovery period.
- Pain and suffering: Dog attacks can be physically and mentally traumatic. Some dog bite victims seek compensation for severe or chronic physical pain resulting from the bite. Others seek compensation for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental injuries they developed after being bitten.
The damages you can recover will depend on the severity of the bite and your financial and emotional damages. To understand the full value of your claim, speak with a personal injury attorney from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. We can assess your medical records and the circumstances of your case to calculate the compensation you could recover.
Consult the Dog Bite Lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.
Dog bites can leave victims with deep physical and mental scars. If a dog bit you or a loved one in Michigan, the dog bite attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can review your claim and help you recover damages from the dog’s owner.
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.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.
