The majority of the dogs we encounter on a regular basis seem perfectly friendly and harmless. Unfortunately, not all dogs are what they seem, and even dogs who are typically well-behaved may act out. When this happens, dog bite victims may face severe injuries and unexpected financial and emotional stress.
Have you suffered injuries because of a dog bite or animal attack in Lansing, Michigan? The law may give you the right to seek financial compensation for your losses from the animal’s owner. The dog bite lawyers at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, can help you secure the resources you need for your injury recovery. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our licensed attorneys to discuss your legal options. We work tirelessly on behalf of our clients, including those with few or no resources, protecting them from insurance companies who try to take advantage of injured people at their most vulnerable moments.
A dog bite or animal attack that knocks a victim over can cause various forms of physical and psychological trauma.
Michigan’s dog bite law imposes strict liability on a dog owner when their animal bites and injures someone in public or lawfully on private property, without provocation. This is the case regardless of whether the owner knew or should have known about their dog’s aggressive or vicious tendencies or failed to handle or restrain their dog.
For non-bite injuries, a dog owner may have strict liability for an injured victim’s losses if the owner knew or should have known that their dog could engage in aggressive or vicious behavior. Otherwise, a dog owner will be liable for non-bite injuries that occur due to a negligent pet owner’s handling of their animal.
Even when the law imposes strict liability for dog bite or animal attack injuries, an owner may have several defenses under Michigan law. First, an owner will not bear liability for a bite inflicted by their dog after the victim provoked the dog. Dog owners also may not bear liability for bite injuries sustained by trespassers on the owner’s property.
Michigan dog bite laws hold animal owners liable for injuries inflicted by their animals. However, in dog bite claims, the owner’s insurance company typically will pay compensation awarded to dog bite victims in a settlement or verdict, as many insurance policies cover the owner’s liability for dog bite injuries. This financial arrangement can give people injured by a dog they know, such as a neighbor’s, friend’s, or family member’s dog, peace of mind in pursuing a compensation claim, since an insurance company rather than their family member or friend will bear the financial liability.
You can take steps to preserve your legal rights after an animal attack.
Finally, contact a dog bite attorney from Atnip & Associates, PLLC, as soon as possible to discuss your options for obtaining financial recovery for your medical expenses and other losses.
A legal claim can provide financial recovery for expenses or losses from injuries inflicted by somebody else’s dog.
Pursuing compensation after a dog bite can become an emotional and stressful experience, especially when bringing a claim against an acquaintance or family member.
| 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 statute of limitations in Michigan typically requires you to file a dog bite lawsuit within three years of an attack inflicted by somebody else’s dog. Talking to dog bite lawyers from Atnip & Associates, PLLC, as soon as possible after a dog bite can help you file your claims within the deadlines and protect your right to compensation. Otherwise, you may lose your right to financial recovery if you file a lawsuit after the limitations period expires on your claim.
After getting injured by somebody else’s dog, you need experienced legal representation to ensure you obtain the full financial recovery you deserve. Contact Atnip & Associates, PLLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our dog bite lawyers to learn how we can help you seek compensation for your medical bills after an animal attack.
