Michigan law holds dog owners “strictly” liable for bite injuries, meaning they are responsible for a victim’s damages, whether they acted negligently or knew their dog was vicious. Even so, getting fair compensation can be challenging, and insurance companies will look for reasons to reduce or deny dog bite claims.
If you were bitten, Christensen Law can advocate for you and fight for the money you deserve. Our dog bite lawyer in Royal Oak, MI, will aggressively pursue every cent owed for your medical treatment, lost wages, and more. We prepare every case for trial and will not settle for less. Call 24/7 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why Choose Christensen Law?
Our law firm has fought for injured parties in Michigan since 1991. We know all the strategies insurance companies use to avoid paying claims and how to combat them. We will build a solid case that focuses on your needs and proves your right to recover compensation.
Throughout the process, we will be here to support you. We take the time to listen to your story and understand the challenges you face so we can provide personalized services aimed at achieving your goals. Our aggressive legal advocacy and client-centered approach have yielded multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts.
If a dog bit you or someone you love, our Royal Oak personal injury lawyers can:
- Investigate and gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, police reports, and eyewitness statements
- Identify the dog’s owner and any other liable parties
- Determine and pursue all of your economic and non-economic damages
- Manage deadlines, paperwork, case-related communications, and other details
- File your claim with the insurance company
- Aggressively negotiate with the insurer and other involved parties
- File a lawsuit in civil court and represent you if necessary
- Keep you informed with frequent and timely updates
We Will Fight for Maximum Compensation for Your Dog Bite Injury
You can seek compensation from a dog’s owner if you have medical expenses and other damages resulting from your bite injury.
Property insurance policies, like homeowners and renters insurance, often cover dog bites, even when the injury did not occur on the insured property. Our dog bite lawyers can file a claim or seek your losses with a personal injury lawsuit.
In general, you could seek compensation for the following damages:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital stays
- Doctor visits
- Surgeries, including cosmetic procedures for scarring
- Medications and antibiotic treatments
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Extended nursing
- Lost wages, bonuses, and benefits
- Lost future earning capacity
- Household services
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death if you lost a loved one
To learn more about recovering dog bite damages, contact Christensen Law for a free consultation. Fill out our online form or call today.
Defenses Against Strict Liability
According to Michigan’s strict liability statute (Mich. Comp. Laws Ann § 287.351), dog owners are liable if their dog bit “without provocation” and the person bitten was “lawfully on private property.” In addition, strict liability only applies to bites.
Opposing parties may use these exceptions to reduce your compensation. For example, they may allege you did something that caused the dog to bite or that you were trespassing at the time of the incident.
If opposing parties can convince a jury that you are to blame, it will reduce your compensation. According to Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959, any fault assigned to you will diminish your damages proportionally. So, if you have $100,000 in losses but are 20 percent at fault in the dog attack, you would receive $80,000 in compensation. If you are more than 50 percent liable, the court will reduce your economic damages and bar you from recovering any non-economic damages.
Insurance companies know the law, so it will also affect your claim, even if your case does not go to trial. We will protect you from allegations that you caused your bite injury and demand a full settlement or verdict.
