Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer

Although dogs might be man’s best friend, there’s nothing lovable about a dog bite. Many victims will need stitches, antibiotics, and possibly skin grafts to deal with the injuries, and scars will exact a mental toll for years to come.

At Groth & Associates, our legal team is committed to getting dog bite victims full compensation for their injuries. These are not simple cases to bring. Many people are in shock when a dog suddenly clamps onto their arm or leg. But if you call us today, one of our Michigan injury attorneys will get started on your case.

DOG BITE INJURIES: SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL

Any dog could cause serious pain with a bite. Bigger dogs have very powerful jaws which can damage bones and soft tissue. Even smaller dogs could cause devastating injuries due to germs in their saliva which can infect your bloodstream.

Our clients have struggled with:

• Fractures
• Lacerations and puncture wounds
• Nerve damage
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Facial injuries
• Infection

Please go immediately to the hospital. One risk is that the dog has rabies, which is a fatal condition. Fortunately, doctors can give patients a protective vaccine.

For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Michigan, call (419) 930-3030

PROVING LIABILITY FOR A DOG BITE

Dog bite victims have several avenues to establish liability and receive compensation. For example, Michigan helpfully has a dog bite statute that requires that owners compensate you if:

• You were bitten on public property or were lawfully on private property
• You did not provoke the dog

Under the statute, it doesn’t matter if a dog has a history of aggression. If the dog bites you, the owner needs to pay compensation—it’s that simple. This is “strict liability” in action.

Some Michigan cities have also adopted their own dog bite laws. These laws can provide greater protection to victims than state law. Depending on where you were bitten, you might have an easier time establishing liability under city law.

In some cases, you might be able to sue a landlord if a tenant’s dog attacks you. For example, a renter might keep their dog in the backyard of an apartment building. If the dog attacks someone on the property—or if it escapes and bites someone in the street—then the landlord might be liable.

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030

COMPENSATION FOR MICHIGAN DOG BITES

Michigan law lets victims receive compensation to cover all losses stemming from a dog attack. As you can imagine, medical care is expensive, and few people can afford to pay for this care out of pocket.

Our Michigan dog bite lawyers can seek compensation for the following:

• Medical bills for all necessary treatment, including stitches, skin grafts, rehab, casts for broken bones, and surgery.
• Future medical expenses, if you suffer a permanent injury.
• Reconstructive surgery for disfiguring facial injuries.
• Lost income or lost wages, when the dog bite injury keeps you out of work.
• Pain and suffering, along with emotional distress.

According toone source, the average dog bite settlement in 2021 was around $49,000. But that is only an average, which might not be useful when estimating the value of your own claim. Some clients with serious injuries receive many times more than that amount.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DOG ATTACK

Victims should act quickly to protect their health and their legal right to compensation. The dog bite lawyers at Groth Law recommend that you take the following steps:

• Immediately stop any bleeding by pressing a clean towel against the wound. If the wound is shallow, you can try to clean it with warm water and soap—otherwise, let the hospital staff clean it.
• Call an ambulance to take you to the hospital if you don’t have anyone to drive you.
• Get a picture of the dog that attacked you, if it is safe to do so. If not, possibly a friend or bystander can take pictures.
• Try to identify the dog’s owner, if you don’t yet know who that is. For example, the dog could have attacked you in public after wandering around.
• Contact animal control to report the dog so that the authorities can prevent it from attacking anyone else. They can also help identify the owner.
• After going to the hospital, pay attention to your wounds. Contact a doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection.

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REACH OUT TO A MICHIGAN DOG BITE ATTORNEY TODAY

This is the most important step following an attack. As your lawyer, we can quickly move to protect your rights and bring dangerous animals to the attention of the authorities. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form