Michigan Dog Bite Lawsuits and Settlements

Sarah was walking her young daughter to school on a Tuesday morning when their neighbor’s German Shepherd broke free from its chain. The dog lunged at the seven-year-old girl, knocking her to the ground and biting her arm and face. Within seconds, what started as a routine walk became a medical emergency that would involve surgery and months of painful recovery.

Scenarios like this play out hundreds of times each year across Michigan. Dog bite incidents can result in serious injuries that require immediate medical attention and ongoing treatment. The physical and emotional trauma often extends far beyond the initial attack, affecting victims and their families for years to come, so if it happens to someone you love, call the experienced team at Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers.

When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bite cases involve medical, legal, and insurance complications, especially if the victim has severe injuries or the dog can’t be found. Personal injury attorneys experienced in these cases understand how to investigate the available legal claims, document injuries, negotiate with insurance companies, and present compelling arguments for fair compensation. They can also help you avoid common mistakes that might reduce your recovery, like losing evidence or speaking to an insurance adjuster before you consult an attorney.

Insurance companies often pressure you to settle quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Having legal representation protects your rights and saves you from settling for less than your claim is worth. Contacting an attorney soon after the incident also allows them to start preserving evidence and building your case while witness memories are fresh, so when a dog bite occurs, call Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers right away.

Michigan’s Dog Bite Statute: What You Need to Know

Michigan operates under a strict liability statute for dog bite cases. When a dog bites someone without provocation while they are lawfully present on public or private property, the owner faces automatic liability regardless of the dog’s history. This means you don’t need to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous or acted negligently to pursue a dog bite claim.

The statute covers any situation where you were lawfully present at the time of the attack. This includes public spaces like sidewalks and parks, and private property where you have permission to be. Even postal workers, delivery drivers, and other individuals conducting business on someone’s property receive protection under this law. However, the statute only applies to actual bite injuries. If a dog knocks you down or causes injury without biting, strict liability does not apply, and you must pursue the claim under traditional negligence theories – another area in which we have experience. 

Factors That Influence Settlement Amounts

Several key factors determine the value of dog bite settlements in Michigan. Insurance companies and attorneys evaluate these elements when calculating fair compensation for victims. They include:

• Injury Severity: Cases involving permanent scarring, nerve damage, or disfigurement typically result in higher compensation than minor puncture wounds. Facial scars on children often command the highest settlements due to lifelong impact on self-esteem and social interactions. Hand and arm injuries that limit occupational abilities also increase settlement values. 
• Medical Documentation: Detailed records of emergency treatment, surgeries, and ongoing therapy help establish the full scope of damages. Photographs of the bite wounds and at different stages of healing provide visual evidence of trauma severity, while medical testimony about future treatment needs makes compensation claims stronger. 
• Victim’s Age and Occupation: Children may receive larger awards due to longer life expectancy. At the same time, work-related impacts affect your earning capacity calculations. For example, a concert pianist who loses finger dexterity may have different damages than someone in customer service. Age also affects pain and suffering calculations, as younger victims potentially have decades to live with scars or limitations. 
• Insurance Coverage Limits: The dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy sets coverage limits. Most policies carry $100,000 to $500,000 in liability coverage, though some have lower limits and some have higher limits. 
• Dog’s History: Previous bite incidents or aggressive behavior increase liability and potential settlement values. Animal control records, veterinary reports of aggressive behavior, and neighbor complaints create a paper trail of dangerous propensities. Some cases involve dogs with multiple prior attacks that were never properly addressed by their owners.

Insurance Companies and Dog Bite Lawsuits

Insurance companies typically handle dog bite claims through their liability coverage departments. These adjusters work to minimize payouts and may use various approaches to reduce settlement amounts. For example, they might question the victim’s account of events, downplay injury severity, or argue that the victim provoked the attack.

Many insurers attempt to settle cases quickly before the full extent of injuries becomes apparent. However, accepting an early offer can prevent you from recovering compensation for future medical needs or complications. Insurance companies also scrutinize medical records to find pre-existing conditions they can blame for your current symptoms, but a Michigan dog bite lawyer can deter these strategies.

Building a Strong Dog Bite Case

If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dangerous dog, you should take immediate steps to get medical help and preserve evidence. At Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers, we recommend that you: 

• Document Everything: You should photograph your injuries, the attack location, and, if safely possible, the dog to preserve visual evidence. 
• Get Witness Statements: Collect contact information and statements from anyone who saw the attack, as they may be able to corroborate your account. 
• Collect Medical Records: Maintain detailed documentation of all emergency visits, follow-up appointments, specialist consultations, and prescription costs. 
• Contact Animal Control: Report the attack to local law enforcement so that the appropriate Animal Control department can investigate, make a record, and monitor the attacking dog for health issues. 
• Speak to a Dog Bite Lawyer: Your attorney can collect evidence of your injuries, calculate your damages, and look for any previous bite incidents or aggressive behavior complaints that could increase the owner’s liability.

How Michigan’s Statute of Limitations Affects Dog Bite Claims

Dog bite victims in Michigan have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline applies to all injuries and any complications that develop later. Missing this deadline may bar you from pursuing compensation, so it’s important to act quickly.

The statute of limitations can be more complicated when children are involved. If the victim was under 16 at the time of the attack, suit can be filed until the child’s 19th birthday . This extended timeframe allows families to fully assess long-term impacts before making legal decisions.

Compensation Available in Dog Bite Cases

Michigan law allows dog bite victims to recover various types of damages that address both financial losses and personal suffering. They include:

• Medical Expenses: These costs include emergency room treatment, surgery, medications, ongoing therapy costs, and future medical needs such as plastic surgery or psychological counseling. 
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: You can claim compensation for time away from work during recovery, plus future lost income if your injuries result in permanent disability or reduced earning ability. 
• Pain and Suffering: These non-economic damages address physical discomfort and emotional trauma, which are often substantial in cases involving children or permanent disfigurement.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: You may receive additional compensation for permanent physical changes that affect appearance and self-esteem. 
• Psychological Treatment: This covers costs for mental health counseling to address trauma, anxiety, and fear of dogs that often develop after attacks.

Special Considerations for Child Victims

Children face heightened vulnerability in dog bite incidents due to their size and unpredictable behavior around animals. Their injuries are often more severe relative to their body size, and facial trauma is more common. 

Michigan law provides additional protections for child victims through extended statute of limitations periods. Parents or guardians can pursue claims on behalf of minor children, but settlements require court approval. This oversight helps protect children’s interests and attempts to prevent inadequate settlements.

The psychological impact on children often requires treatment from mental health professionals with trauma experience. These therapy costs can continue for years and should be factored into settlement negotiations. Educational impacts, such as missed school days or special accommodations, may also warrant compensation.

Defenses Dog Owners May Raise

Provocation remains the most common defense in dog bite cases. The dog’s owner may claim someone teased, hit, or otherwise antagonized their dog before the attack. Michigan law recognizes provocation as a complete defense to the statutory strict liability claim, so you need to speak to a lawyer if you’re dealing with an owner who’s determined to claim provocation.

Trespassing represents another potential defense. If you were not lawfully on the property when the bite occurred, the owner may avoid liability. However, this defense doesn’t apply to people lawfully conducting business on the property, such as mail carriers or repair workers.

Some owners attempt to shift blame by claiming their dog was protecting property or family members. While dogs have natural protective instincts, this is not a valid defense unless the animal was provoked.

What if You Don’t Know Who Owned the Dog?

Stray dogs and escaped animals create additional challenges in dog bite cases. When you can’t identify the owner immediately, you must take steps to locate them quickly.  Police and animal control officers can help track down owners; they may check for microchips, examine collar tags, or canvas the neighborhood for information about the dog. Many communities maintain databases of registered pets that can help identify the owner when the dog that attacked you is found. If the dog remains unclaimed after a reasonable search, you may have limited options for compensation. 

When the dog belongs to someone but they deny ownership, you’ll need to prove the relationship. Veterinary records, witness testimony, and photographs of the dog at the owner’s property can establish ownership. Social media posts showing the owner with the dog also provide valuable evidence of the relationship.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks result in injuries that range from minor wounds to life-altering trauma. Their severity and location usually determine the medical treatment required and the long-term impact on the victim’s life. 

• Puncture Wounds and Lacerations: Deep bites damage muscles, tendons, and nerves beneath the skin, requiring surgical repair and extensive physical therapy to restore function. These wounds also create channels for bacteria to enter deep tissue, increasing infection risk. Nerve damage can result in permanent loss of sensation or motor function in affected areas. 
• Facial Injuries and Scarring: Children are especially vulnerable due to their height, as attacks often target the face and leave injuries that need reconstructive surgery. Facial wounds may damage tear ducts, facial nerves, or eye muscles, leading to ongoing vision problems or facial paralysis. Multiple surgeries over several years are common to restore both function and appearance. 
• Infections: Bacteria from dogs’ mouths enter wounds and cause serious complications that may require hospitalization and antibiotic treatment. Pasteurella and Staphylococcus infections, in particular, can spread rapidly through tissue and bloodstream. Some infections resist standard antibiotics and require intravenous treatment or surgical debridement. 
• Psychological Trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder and lasting fears of dogs are just as debilitating as physical wounds. Children may develop sleep disorders, school avoidance, or regression in developmental milestones, while adults can experience panic attacks, depression, and inability to return to normal outdoor activities.

Get a Free Consultation From a Michigan Dog Bite Attorney

Dog attacks can result in serious injuries that affect victims for years to come. The state’s strict liability statute provides strong protection for victims, but insurance companies and dog owners often fight these claims aggressively.

At Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers, we’ve helped Michigan families recover compensation for dog bite injuries since 1984. Our experienced attorneys understand the medical and legal challenges these cases present and are ready to help you get the compensation you need. For more information, fill out this online contact form to schedule your free initial consultation with a dog bite lawyer. Remember: if it’s not fair, call the Bear!