Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite can be a terrifying, even traumatizing, experience. People who keep domestic animals as pets or working animals are expected to control them and keep other people safe. When they fail to do so, life-changing injuries can result.

If you were bitten by someone else’s dog in Michigan, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. An experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer can help you get the financial recovery you need to heal from your injuries and meet your expenses.

The dog bite lawyer team at Bernstein & Bernstein has decades of experience helping people who have been injured by animals. To learn how our Michigan personal injury attorneys may be able to help you, contact Bernstein & Bernstein to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Michigan Dog Bite Law

In most types of personal injury cases, it is necessary to prove that the person responsible for the injury was negligent, or even reckless. Dog bite injuries are different. These injury cases are “strict liability.” That means that if you were on public property, or lawfully on private property—even the property of the dog’s owner—the dog’s owner is liable for the damages you suffered from the dog bite. Those damages may include your medical expenses from the dog bite, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

In Michigan, even if the dog owner had no reason to believe their dog was dangerous, they are responsible for any injuries the dog causes.

One exception to this rule of strict liability is if the person who was bitten was trespassing on the property, or if they were lawfully on the property but for the purpose of an unlawful or criminal act. Another defense that a property owner could raise is that the person who was bitten provoked the dog. Aside from these situations, however, a Michigan court would find the dog’s owner responsible for the injury.

The statute of limitations for dog bite claims in Michigan is three years. That means that if you want to file a claim, you must do so within three years of the dog bite. If you do not, you will be unable to file a claim later, no matter how serious your injuries were.

What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Dog

The first thing you should do after a dog bite is clean and cover the wound, if possible. Seek prompt medical attention, especially if the wound is on your face, bleeding heavily, or you don’t know whether the dog has been fully vaccinated.

Even if the dog bite doesn’t seem that painful or deep, a bite can lead to serious infections. Signs of an infection include redness, swelling, yellowish liquid (pus) coming from the wound, and fever. Other potential complications from a dog bite include:

• Exposure to rabies, which requires immediate treatment
• Tetanus
• Nerve or tissue damage that can cause permanent physical limitations
• Scarring and disfigurement, even after reconstructive surgery

You should also have someone take pictures of your injury after it happens and as it progresses or heals. Pictures are helpful to your doctor and in any legal claim you may make. Report the bite to local health authorities. Then, speak to a dog bite lawyer about your rights under Michigan law.

What a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Do For You

It’s common to feel shaken up after a dog bite, and your priority should be healing from your injuries. But waiting to take legal action can cost you.

If you wait too long to file a claim, the dog’s owner may argue that your injuries were not serious or that they were caused by something other than the dog bite. Working with an experienced dog bite lawyer allows you to put your health first, while your attorney protects your legal rights.

Bernstein & Bernstein has helped injury victims in Southeastern Michigan for over 100 years. Our firm has survived the test of time because we get results, and because we genuinely care about our clients. We know how to investigate, collect evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies so you can focus on healing. If necessary, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf and stand up for your rights in court.

Our dog bite lawyer team has been working for injury victims for decades. Your case will never be passed off to an inexperienced lawyer to handle. We understand what your case means to you, and we are committed to getting you the best possible result. As a small firm, we also make it a point to offer personal, responsive attention and to keep you informed of your case’s progress.