There is no way to determine average dog bite settlement amounts in Michigan, as there is no reliable source for such information. Settlements and verdicts can often be hundreds of thousands or dollars or more, but that is not a guarantee of your outcome. Instead, our personal injury attorneys who lead these cases seek the financial recovery each dog bite victim is entitled to.
Christensen Law represents dog bite accident victims so they can recover from bite wounds and psychological injuries. At the same time, we seek the proper compensation for their medical costs, lost income, and other damages. Our Michigan dog bite lawyers can do the same for you.
Factors We Will Consider When Valuing Your Dog Bite Settlement
We know that each accident victim has a unique account to tell. Our dog bite lawyers will listen attentively as you share your account with our team. As we document the details of your traumatic incident, we will assess the potential dog bite settlement amount for your case.
Ultimately, we will work with economists to determine exactly how much the dog bite has cost you. Factors that could affect the final value of a settlement include:
- The nature and severity of your physical injuries: The injuries you suffered from the dog bite will be highly relevant to your settlement value. Two injuries that are technically the same (such as a broken ulna) can vary in severity. The more severe your injuries are, the more care you may need and the more costly your medical bills may be. Dog bite victims face serious risks and complications, such as bacterial infections, which can create higher economic and non-economic losses, requiring a higher settlement value.
- The medical care you require: Some types of medical care are more costly than others, so the specific types of care you require will be a factor in your settlement value.
- The psychological and emotional toll of the bite: Each victim responds differently to an animal attack. We will consider the nature and severity of your psychological and emotional injuries as we evaluate your damages.
- The impact of the bite on your life: Dog bites can hurt your ability to work and impact your ability to live your life normally. The physical and emotional toll can change your life forever, and you deserve compensation that addresses this harm.
- The circumstances surrounding the bite: Perhaps the dog owner had a history of negligent ownership or other behaviors that led to the attack. We can account for this when demanding damages.
Our team looks at the whole picture when evaluating a dog bite case. Because we want to get justice for you, we will consider current and future damages, including financial and non-financial harm you’ve suffered from an aggressive canine.
Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Settlement in Michigan
As we have helped dog bite accident victims, we’ve seen the immense harm an animal attack can cause. An attorney from our team can work with medical experts, mental health professionals, and others to compassionately identify your damages, which may include:
- Pain and suffering: Some dog bite victims experience intense fear of animals, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other non-economic damages. Chronic pain, including neurological injuries, can also qualify as pain and suffering.
- Medical bills: Compensation should cover your bite-related medical bills, including those for emergency care, surgery, antibiotics, hospital stays, and other medical services. We will seek compensation for all medical expenses ranging from the time of the bite until you’ve fully recovered.
- Scarring and disfigurement (and related medical care): Dogs can cause scars that alter a person’s appearance Such disfigurement can cause distress and affect one’s life. We will seek compensation covering any cosmetic surgery you elect to have.
- Lost income: If a dog bite causes you to miss work, lose income, and suffer other professional damages, we will include those damages in your claim or lawsuit.
- Non-medical treatment: You may need medication, counseling, and other services to cope with the psychological effects of the dog attack. We will demand the liable parties to cover such treatment.
Some dog bite victims recover quickly and return to life without any lasting fear of dogs. Others suffer long-term injuries, including severe psychological and emotional trauma. Whatever the nature of your damages, you deserve justice.
Should I Hire a Michigan Dog Bite Accident Lawyer to Represent Me After an Attack?
You may want to consider hiring a lawyer familiar with Michigan dog bite law to guide you through the legal process because:
- You may have significantly painful injuries, making handling a dog bite claim or lawsuit on your own immensely difficult.
- Your doctor may advise you to rest and avoid stress after a dog bite or attack, which may not be possible if you lead your case.
- You may want to work with a law firm that can represent you without requiring upfront fees or costs. We offer start-to-finish financial support to our clients, and our attorneys have resolved many dog bite cases, delivering the financial recoveries our clients deserve. We will aim to do the same for you.
Whether you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit for your bite injuries, Christensen Law’s team will be at the forefront of your case. We will enable you to put your health and recovery first. Our services include:
- Obtaining evidence of negligence by a dog owner or other liable parties
- Documenting your damages, including the cost of your economic and non-economic losses
- Filing your claim or lawsuit and managing all administrative duties
- Negotiating a settlement with an insurance company or other party
- Completing a trial if we cannot settle your case outside of court
What Do Owners Do to Reduce the Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts?
The dog owners and their representatives may try to minimize your payout or deny it altogether. They often try to blame you for the circumstances of the bite, perhaps by saying you were trespassing or provoking the animal.
Our Michigan personal injury lawyers know how to combat these and other tactics to help our clients seek a dog bite settlement. We know what it takes to prove liability in such an attack, and we’re prepared to get to work on your behalf.
Call Christensen Law Today for a Free Consultation About a Dog Bite Settlement
Dog bites can cause immediate physical injuries, infections, and long-lasting psychological trauma. While it is difficult to determine the average dog bite settlement amount in these cases, we encourage animal attack victims to seek compensation that helps them recover from the incident.
A dog bite accident lawyer from Christensen Law will fight for compensation that facilitates your recovery and helps you avoid financial pressure. Our firm has advocated for clients since 1991 and handles every case with empathy and respect. Call Christensen Law today for a free consultation.
