Dog Bite Attorneys in Detroit, Michigan

More than 200 people are bitten by dogs and injured each year in Michigan. That number is high enough to place the state in the top 10 states for dog bite incidents.

If you have been bitten by a dog in or around Detroit, Michigan, or if your child or loved one has, you probably do not care how the state ranks in the country. You care only about one person’s injuries and holding the owner of the dog accountable for them.

Singularly focusing on each and every client is how we work at Ratton Law Group PC. One person at a time is how we treated our patients when we were nurses. Now as personal injury attorneys representing victims of negligence, we continue to treat each client, their family, and their case like it is the only one we have.

Does Michigan Have a Dog Bite Law?

Not all states have laws that pertain specifically to dog bites. The liability for dog bites and other injuries resulting from negligence typically falls under the general tort laws governing personal injury claims.

The Michigan dog bite law states that the owner of a dog who bites anyone without provocation while on public property or legally on private property is liable for the damages caused by their injuries, regardless of whether the dog has shown vicious behavior in the past or whether the owner was aware of its propensity to bite. The victim bitten by a dog can file a claim against the owner’s premises liability insurance or file a lawsuit against the owner to seek compensation for damages.

The dog bite statute is specific to injuries suffered when attacked and bitten by a dog. If the dog jumps at you and knocks you down and you are injured, you cannot sue under the dog bite law. You can, however, sue under general tort law if you can prove the owner was negligent, for example, because they failed to restrain the dog.

Michigan Dog Bite Claim FAQs

Can I sue the dog owner?

You can sue the owner of the dog that bit you under Michigan law. The challenge, and one an attorney can help you with, is finding insurance coverage under a premises liability or other policy or discovering assets you can pursue in a civil court judgment. The dog owner, their attorney, or their insurer will attempt to prove that you either provoked the animal or were trespassing at the time you were bitten.

What damages can I seek compensation for?

You can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include those easily affixed with a price, such as the cost of medical treatment, psychological counseling, and income you lost as the result of your injuries. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment in life.

How much will my settlement be?

How much you might receive in settlement of your claim depends on multiple factors, including the extent and permanency of your injuries, cost of treatment including future treatment, impact on income and future earning potential, and more. What is important is being able to place and substantiate a value on those non-economic damages which are particularly characteristic of dog bites, including trauma and disfigurement.

When should I call an attorney for help?

You should call an experienced dog bite attorney for help as soon as possible. Although the law is clear in dog bite cases in Michigan, a dog bite claim can be more difficult to deal with than, for example, an injury claim arising from a car accident.

An experienced attorney will know how to investigate the circumstances of the incident and provide evidence that disputes the dog owner’s claims of trespassing or provocation. Your attorney will be able to explore all avenues of insurance coverage and assets. They will also be able to document the value of your claim, including less tangible damages.

Aggressive and Compassionate Counsel

At Ratton Law Group PC, we are uniquely qualified to represent clients like you in dog bite claims. As attorneys who used to be hospital nurses, we have firsthand experience with physical and emotional trauma, as well as the legal knowledge and expertise necessary to pursue your claim.

We are compassionate towards you and what you are suffering. At the same time, we are aggressive in our negotiations with insurance companies and when prosecuting your claim in a court of law. Helping our clients get the compensation they deserve when they have been injured is what brings us to work every single day.