Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts: Michigan Claims Guide & Settlement Timeline

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Dog bite accidents are traumatic incidents leading to enormous physical, emotional, and economic implications. Knowing the possible figures in settlements and the laws is necessary so the victim receives proper compensation.

This in-depth guide explores the average dog bite settlement amounts in Michigan. It provides you with interesting facts about what drives the compensation.

The Growing Issue of Dog Bite Cases in the United States

The United States, in the last ten years, has experienced an epidemic rate of dog bites. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention record about 4.5 million dog bites in the United States yearly, and about 800,000 are seen in the emergency department. The occurrences are worth millions in yearly settlements and payouts by the insurance company, and the importance lies in the revelation about the average settlements from dog bites.

Insurance industry statistics reveal a 39% ten-year increase in the average expenditure on dog bites. This increase is attributed to the rise in medical bills and the awareness of the long-term psychological effects. Based on the statistics, the State of Michigan alone documents many dog bites yearly, so the public needs to be aware of the rights and possible compensation.

Why Estimate Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts

When evaluating average dog bite settlement amounts in Michigan, consider each case’s differences and circumstances. The total difference in the settlements also greatly depends, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands.

A few significant factors determine the final settlement value, including:

Medical Expenses

The current and future medical bills, emergency room, surgeries, medication, and rehabilitation treatments are the foundation blocks in most settlements. The medical bills typically comprise the majority in terms of the most money.

Lost Wages and Earnings

Time missed from employment during the rehabilitation period and any impact on future earning capacity also influence the size of settlements. Injuries causing a career shift or permanent economic impairment are worth higher settlements.

Psychological Impact

Mental health and trauma from bites are also considered in the settlements increasingly. The most commonly affected are anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobia, and they are also entitled to additional compensation to pay for the treatments and the trauma.

Scarring and Disfigurement

Scarring and exposed body surfaces typically warrant higher average awards to complainants in dog bites. Quality and future available surgical treatments to eliminate the scars are considered during negotiations.

Michigan Dog Bite Settlement Trends

Michigan’s strict tort law gives you the grounds to recover from the dog’s owner, and having a dog bite attorney who is well-versed in local trends in settlements could make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Settlements in the state are higher than the average in the nation. In child bites and catastrophic injuries, the settlements are the highest.

The state’s dog bite law holds the owners to the letter in the case of injuries from the dogs, regardless of the animal’s previous conduct and the aggressiveness perceived by the owner. The favorable climate in most places means settlements in the victim’s favor, and recent examples from the State of Michigan indicate settlements between $25,000 and $100,000 in the event of serious injuries.

The Critical Role a Dog Bite Attorney in Michigan Plays

Securing fair compensation relies to a great extent on the attorney. A trained dog bite attorney in Michigan offers numerous benefits to your case, including:

Case Valuation

Practicing attorneys fully know the facts when determining the proper figures in settlements in comparative cases and exceptional circumstances. All damaged elements are established and valued accurately.

Insurance Negotiation

The well-versed attorneys in the case of dog bites are also familiar with negotiating in the most optimal way possible with the insurance providers. In most situations, they can obtain greater settlements than the state’s average dog bite settlement amounts.

Documentation and Evidence

A dog bite attorney ensures proper documentation of all the details in your case, from the medical documents to the declarations from the witness, to be presented during negotiations.

How Long Does It Take for A Dog Bite Settlement?

One common question among the victims is how long the case of a dog bite typically lasts. The duration depends on many circumstances, but the typical progression provides some sense. The most usual pattern in the State of Michigan follows the general progression outlined below:

Initial Medical Treatment and Record Keeping (1-3 months): The priority in the immediate case is record-keeping and medical care for injuries. This provides the foundation for your case.

Investigation and Claim Formulation (2-4 weeks): Your attorney gathers evidence, interviews the witness, and prepares necessary documents. This also includes retrieving essential medical records, pictures, and expert opinions.

Negotiation Phase (3-6 months): Most cases involve negotiations with the insurer. The timeframe depends significantly on the case’s complexity and the parties’ inclination to settle.

Resolution or lawsuit (6-18 months): Many are settled through negotiations, and some result in the necessity of a lawsuit. Cases going to trial typically last longer to be resolved and, in some, longer than a year.

Level 3 Dog Bite Settlement Awards: A Review of Catastrophic Cases

These are usually the product of the most extreme incidents, causing significant tissue damage, deep puncture, and multiple bites. Level 3 dog bite settlement amounts usually result from extreme injuries and long-term damage.

Current figures reveal settlements under level 3 dog bites are generally between $100,000 and $500,000, and in some situations, exceeding $1 million in the event of permanent disability and disfigurement.

Factors specific to the case at Level 3 influencing the settlements are:

• The extent of the surgical reconstructive intervention
• Long-term damage to the nervous system
• Effect on function or mobility
• Psychological trauma and the necessity to pursue extended therapy
• Long-term medical care

Comparing Minor Dog Bite Settlement and Aggravated Dog Bite Settlement

Understanding the differences between a minor dog bite settlement and awards in extreme bites helps make the appropriate assumptions. Small dog bites most often involve

• Superficial wounds and minimum intervention
• Medical recoveries are brief and uncomplicated and involve zero long-term damage
• Minimal disruption to everyday life and employment
• Minimal aesthetics and scarring

These cases generally involve settlements ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the situation. Nonetheless, even the most seemingly innocuous bites are at risk of becoming infected, causing nerve damage, and potentially escalating settlements.

In contrast, the most extreme dog bites, resulting in significant injuries, multiple surgeries, and long-term injuries, typically require significantly greater settlements. Under such circumstances, the standard award for dog bites often surpasses $200,000, considering future medical expenses and long-term impacts.

Maximizing Your Settlement Potential

To optimize your chances of achieving reasonable compensation higher than average compensation for dog bite cases, undertake the required steps.

• Seek immediate medical attention and all the doctor’s recommendations
• Document the accident and the course of your recuperation
• Avoid publishing anything about the case on social networks and avoid dealing with the adjuster from the company’s insurance
• Hire a trained dog bite attorney in Michigan immediately
• Document all the expenditures and the effect the accident has had on your life

As medical expenses increase and the courts find the extended gamut of damage resulting from dog bites, the award settlements will also trend similarly. This holds all the more in the case of Michigan, whose restrictive case law in defense of the victim complements an escalating sensitivity about the long-term effects of dog bites.

In Conclusion

Understanding average compensation for dog bite cases assists in providing the victim with the appropriate compensation. Settlements vary significantly based on the case, and knowledge about the overall figures and what drives them assist in delivering the proper expectations. It helps in hiring the services of a qualified lawyer in the case, and the effect relies significantly.

Remember that each case is different, and although average settlements are reasonable to use to give you some guidance, your case alone will dictate the proper compensation. Whether handling a case involving a minor dog bite settlement, a major case, or anything in between, hiring a professional lawyer ensures your rights are preserved, and you are compensated justly for your injuries.

Seek Compensation for Your Dog Bite Case

If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite in Michigan, get the legal representation you need. Speak with our compassionate, knowledgeable Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. attorneys.

We can review your case, guide you through the claims process, and help you pursue a fair settlement for your dog bite injuries. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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.