Dogs can be loving and faithful companions. However, they are also animals that can react to stress, perceived dangers, and traumatic upbringings in an instant, causing significant injuries to people nearby. Dog bites and dog attack wounds can leave physical and emotional scars. Dog bite injuries can also cause a host of legal and financial complications.
At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, our Grand Rapids dog bite attorneys who serve Michigan provide effective legal advice for dog bite victims. We are committed to protecting victims and helping them file a dog bite claim so they can recover meaningful compensation for their injuries and financial losses.
Has a dog injured you or a family member? It is time to investigate your legal options for recovering compensation. Contact our Michigan office today to discuss your situation with an experienced dog bite lawyer and request a free consultation.
Dog bite cases can be complex, so you need to rely on the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer.
First, consider the source of most dog bite incidents. Many occur among family and friends. It can feel overwhelming and inconsiderate to pursue the compensation you deserve from a close friend or family member because their dog caused an injury. At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, we don’t want you to be perceived as the “bad guy.” However, you still deserve fair compensation to cover your medical expenses and financial losses.
Let our team advocate for you. We provide legal representation for dog bites, helping you navigate a dog bite accident claim and managing communication between you and a family or friend’s insurance provider. You get peace of mind that your case will be handled with care and sensitivity, and you don’t have to manage challenging conversations with people close to you. We’ll do all the work.
You also need the aggressive legal services an attorney can provide because insurance companies tenaciously protect their profit margins and may use tactics to get vulnerable dog bite victims to settle for less than their claim is worth overall. An attorney can calculate the value of your losses and go head-to-head with insurers to recover the money you deserve.
Dog bites are a common occurrence in the state of Michigan. The United States Postal Service puts Michigan in the top ten for dog bites impacting letter carriers and postal workers alone. To protect citizens, Michigan has several dog bite laws on its books.
Like many states, Michigan subscribes to a strict liability system for dog bite injuries. Under strict liability, a dog owner is automatically responsible for bite injuries when their animal bites or attacks another person. This regulation applies even when the dog owner has no reasonable way of knowing whether their dog is dangerous to others.
There are a few exceptions to the strict liability rule, which means a dog owner may not be liable for injuries in specific situations. For example, Michigan dog owners may not be responsible for injuries caused by their four-legged friend when the animal injures or bites an individual who is trespassing. The dog owner may also avoid liability if someone provokes the dog into attacking.
In addition to civil liability, Michigan law sets out potential criminal penalties for dog owners who keep “dangerous” dogs.
When dog owners know their dog is a dangerous animal or potential threat to others, and the animal injures or kills a person, the owner can face significant criminal penalties, including felony charges for involuntary manslaughter that carry steep fines and prison time.
Dogs are among the most popular pets in the United States and are often considered loving and sweet companions. However, domesticated dogs still have animal instincts. Dogs evolved to have powerful bites and strong jaws, some capable of inflicting traumatic and catastrophic wounds. Some of the most common injuries associated with dog bites can include:
When a “friendly” animal attacks, it can also cause significant mental trauma. Mental trauma is prevalent in children after a dog attacks them. A dog attack can trigger mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. Dog attacks can also cause insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Beyond the physical and mental pain of a dog bite, these incidents can also lead to numerous other health complications, including infection and infectious diseases. Dog saliva can contain numerous colonies of harmful bacteria. When this bacterium gets introduced into the human body through a bite that breaks the skin, infection and other diseases can occur.
Some reports indicate that as many as 5 to 25 percent of dog bite wounds become infected. Wounds left untreated can lead to infections and eventually sepsis and other conditions such as:
After a dog bite, seek medical attention immediately. A medical professional can inspect and treat the wound to help prevent disease and infection. Medical professionals can also help minimize potential scarring and other complications. They may also recommend prophylactic measures to prevent illnesses like rabies. While rabies from domesticated dog bites is incredibly rare in the U.S., rabies is nearly 99 percent fatal when left untreated and symptoms develop. When the veterinary history of the animal is unknown, it is always best to seek a medical option and err on the side of caution.
Compensation for Grand Rapid dog bite injuries varies, so you must discuss your situation with an injury lawyer and seek legal assistance. At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, our personal injury lawyers can review your unique situation and calculate the fair value of your claim. We can also outline the best method for recovering compensation for your financial losses.
Filing an insurance claim with the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance company is often the best place to start. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that the average cost per dog bite claim in the United States is close to $70,000. Their data also indicates that Michigan ranks in the top five states for the number of dog bite claims filed annually.
In other situations, a personal injury lawsuit may be the only avenue for pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses. In either case, having a skilled dog bite lawyer working with you to evaluate your situation, build a substantial claim based on evidence, and negotiate for maximum compensation is best.
Although the value of each dog bite claim varies depending on the circumstances of the situation, most injured individuals can seek money for the following:
At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, we are committed to delivering results to clients through meaningful settlements and verdicts.
| 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. |
Have you been injured in a dog bite incident? Are you in need of an injury claim consultation? Reach out to the experienced Michigan dog bite lawyers at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, for help. We passionately advocate for people like you every day. Contact our offices and request a free consultation to get started. Let us help you move forward with your life.
