Did someone’s dog bite you in Waterford Township, Michigan? If so, you may have the right to seek financial recovery for your expenses or losses from the dog’s owner or the owner’s insurance company. Insurers fight injury claims hard to minimize their liability, though, which could make it hard to get the full amount you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Protect yourself by securing experienced legal representation that can help you fight back and demand what’s right. Contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, for a free case evaluation with our knowledgeable, compassionate Michigan dog bite lawyers to discuss your legal options for recovering compensation and justice for your injuries.
If someone else’s dog bit you, that person could owe you money for what you’ve suffered as a result. You will likely start by filing an insurance claim against their homeowners or renters policy, which means you’ll have to go up against a big, powerful insurance company that would rather protect its profits than pay you fairly.
How can you stand up for what’s right? By turning to the experienced team with Atnip & Associates, PLLC. Injured Michiganders have long sought our help to guide them through the compensation claims process because of:
An attack can cause other injuries if the dog knocks the victim to the ground, such as spinal injuries, facial injuries/scarring, or traumatic brain injuries.
The Michigan dog bite statute holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their dogs inflict when they bite a person without provocation while that person is in public or lawfully on private property (including the dog owner’s property). Strict liability means a dog bite victim does not need to prove that a dog owner knew or should have known about their dog’s aggressive or vicious tendencies, such as through prior incidents of biting or attacking. A dog bite victim also does not need to prove that the dog owner’s negligence resulted in the attack.
However, when a dog attacks and injures a person without biting them, the person may have to prove that the dog owner’s negligence facilitated or led to the attack to hold the owner liable for the person’s injuries and losses. A lawyer can review your case and determine which claim types are available to you and offer the best chance of success.
A dog owner who can raise a defense to liability may reduce an injured person’s financial recovery under Michigan’s comparative fault law. This law holds that a court can reduce a compensation award in proportion to the injured person’s percentage of fault for their injuries. A dog attack victim who bears a majority share of fault for the accident may even lose the right to recover compensation for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. If a dog owner or insurance company tries to blame you for a dog bite or attack, you need an experienced dog bite lawyer to advocate for your interests.
| Case | Settlement | Description |
|---|---|---|
“Confidential Dog Bite Case” | $325,000 | Michigan dog bite victim; details limited under confidentiality agreement. |
“Confidential Dog Bite Case” | $67,000 | Details withheld pursuant to confidentiality agreement. |
The things you do in the aftermath of a dog attack in Waterford, Michigan, can have a serious effect on the outcome of your claim.
Finally, contact animal and dog bites attorneys near you as soon as possible. Atnip & Associates, PLLC, is ready to pursue the financial recovery you need for your medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
The statute of limitations on injury claims in Michigan typically requires you to file any lawsuit within three years after suffering dog bite injuries. However, you can protect your legal rights by talking to the animal and dog bites lawyers at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, as soon as possible after an animal attack to help you file your claims on time. If you file a suit after the limitations period expires on your dog bite injury claim, you may lose the opportunity to recover compensation for your financial or personal losses from your injuries.
If someone else’s dog has bitten and injured you, you need seasoned legal representation to help you recover fair compensation for what you’ve suffered. Contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, today for a free consultation to discuss how our top-rated Waterford, Michigan, animal bites attorneys can help you pursue a financial recovery for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
