A serious dog bite can leave a victim with painful injuries, permanent scars, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical expenses. If you or your child was attacked by a dog, a Michigan dog bite lawyer at Khamo Law can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
Michigan has a specific law governing liability for dog bites. In many cases, an injured person does not have to prove that the dog had bitten someone before or that the owner knew the animal was dangerous. However, disputes can still arise over provocation, where the attack occurred, who owned or controlled the dog, insurance coverage, and the extent of the victim’s damages.
Khamo Law represents people injured in dog attacks throughout Michigan. Our Michigan personal injury attorneys investigate what happened, preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
Call Khamo Law at (248) 466-0606 for a free consultation. No fees unless we win.
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries. Khamo Law represents dog bite victims throughout Michigan.
How Michigan Dog Bite Law Protects Injury Victims
Michigan law provides important protections for people bitten by dogs.
Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 287.351, a dog owner can be liable for damages when the dog bites someone without provocation while that person is on public property or lawfully on private property.
Importantly, the statute does not require the victim to establish that the dog had previously been vicious or that its owner knew the dog was dangerous.
This distinguishes Michigan’s statute from the traditional concept sometimes called a “one-bite rule.” A dog does not necessarily get one free bite before its owner can face liability.
However, every case depends on its specific facts. A Michigan dog bite attorney can investigate whether the statute applies and whether additional legal claims may be available.
Does Michigan Have a One-Bite Rule?
Michigan’s dog-bite statute does not require a victim to prove that the dog previously attacked or bit someone.
Instead, MCL 287.351 specifically states that liability can apply regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of that viciousness.
That distinction can be extremely important after an attack.
A dog owner or insurance company may argue that the animal had always been friendly or had never bitten anyone before. Under Michigan’s statutory dog-bite claim, however, the absence of a previous attack does not by itself eliminate potential liability.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dog Bite in Michigan?
The dog’s owner is often the primary party involved in a Michigan dog-bite claim.
However, determining responsibility can become more complicated depending on where and how the attack happened.
Our attorneys may investigate:
- Who legally owned the dog
- Where the attack occurred
- Whether the victim was lawfully on the property
- Whether another person had custody or control of the animal
- Whether a landlord or property owner may have relevant responsibility under another legal theory
- Whether homeowner’s, renter’s, or another insurance policy provides coverage
- Whether the dog had previously shown aggressive behavior
- Whether witnesses saw the attack
Identifying the appropriate defendants and available insurance coverage can make a significant difference in a serious injury case.
What Does “Lawfully on Private Property” Mean Under Michigan Dog Bite Law?
Location matters under Michigan’s dog-bite statute.
The statute covers bites occurring on public property as well as certain situations involving private property. Michigan law specifically addresses people who are lawfully on private property.
For example, the statute recognizes certain people performing legally imposed duties as lawfully present. It also addresses invitees and licensees of the person lawfully possessing the property. The statute excludes someone who gained entry for an unlawful or criminal purpose.
Because disputes over someone’s legal status on a property can affect a claim, the circumstances surrounding the victim’s presence should be carefully investigated.
What Is Provocation in a Michigan Dog Bite Case?
Provocation is one of the most important issues in Michigan dog-bite litigation.
Michigan’s statute applies when a dog bites a person without provocation. Michigan courts have therefore examined what conduct can qualify as provocation under the law.
Insurance companies may attempt to argue that a victim caused or provoked an attack. That does not mean the insurer’s characterization of the incident is correct.
Evidence can become especially important in these disputes. Our legal team may examine witness statements, surveillance footage, photographs, animal-control records, medical records, and the events immediately preceding the attack.
Dog Bite Injuries Can Be Far More Serious Than They Appear
Dog attacks can cause much more than a superficial wound.
Depending on the size of the animal, location of the bite, duration of the attack, and age of the victim, injuries can be severe.
Common dog-bite injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Torn muscles and tissue
- Nerve damage
- Tendon injuries
- Broken bones
- Hand and finger injuries
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Infections
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
Some victims may require emergency treatment, surgery, stitches, reconstructive procedures, physical therapy, or ongoing medical care.
Severe attacks can also cause brain injuries or other catastrophic injuries if a victim falls, is knocked to the ground, or suffers additional trauma during the attack.
Children Can Suffer Devastating Injuries in Dog Attacks
Dog attacks involving children require particular attention.
Because children are smaller than adults, an attacking dog may reach the child’s face, head, and neck more easily. Injuries in these areas can result in significant scarring and may require reconstructive treatment.
The emotional consequences can also continue long after physical wounds heal.
A child who once felt comfortable around animals may develop anxiety or fear after an attack. Depending on the circumstances, psychological treatment may become part of the child’s recovery.
When representing an injured child, the long-term consequences of the attack should be considered rather than looking only at the initial emergency-room bill.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite in Michigan?
Your health comes first after an animal attack.
When appropriate, steps following a dog bite can include:
- Getting away from the animal and reaching a safe location
- Seeking prompt medical attention
- Identifying the dog and its owner
- Photographing your injuries
- Photographing the location where the attack occurred
- Obtaining contact information from witnesses
- Reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities
- Preserving damaged or bloody clothing
- Keeping medical records and bills
- Avoiding detailed statements to an insurance company before understanding your rights
- Speaking with an attorney about the incident
Potential rabies exposure also deserves prompt medical attention. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises people to seek medical attention after bites or scratches involving stray or wild animals and states that animal bites should be reported to the local health department.
For additional health information, see the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ rabies resources.
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Michigan Dog Bite Claim
Evidence can disappear quickly after an attack.
Photographs may document wounds before they begin healing. Surveillance cameras may overwrite footage. Witnesses can become difficult to locate. The dog’s ownership or living arrangements may also become disputed.
Depending on the case, our investigation may include:
- Photographs and videos
- Medical records
- Emergency-room records
- Witness statements
- Animal-control reports
- Police reports when applicable
- Surveillance or doorbell-camera footage
- Veterinary information when relevant and obtainable
- Prior incident records
- Insurance information
- Documentation of lost income
- Evidence of scarring and disfigurement
Building a claim early allows an attorney to preserve evidence that may become important later.
What Compensation Can a Michigan Dog Bite Victim Recover?
A serious dog attack can affect a victim physically, financially, and emotionally.
The damages available depend on the facts of the case, but a claim may seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Rehabilitation
- Other losses resulting from the injury
Permanent facial or bodily scarring can significantly affect the value and complexity of a claim. Photographs, medical documentation, specialist opinions, and evidence concerning future treatment may therefore become important.
No attorney can responsibly determine the value of a dog-bite case from the type of injury alone. The circumstances of the attack, available insurance coverage, severity of the injuries, recovery, and long-term consequences all matter.
What If a Dog Injures Someone Without Biting Them?
Not every serious dog attack involves an actual bite.
A large dog may knock someone down, chase a pedestrian into danger, or cause another type of injury without its teeth penetrating the person’s skin.
Michigan’s statutory dog-bite provision specifically concerns bites. Other injuries involving dogs may require analysis under different legal theories, including negligence depending on the circumstances.
For that reason, you should not automatically assume that you have no case simply because the dog did not bite you.
A Michigan personal injury lawyer can evaluate the circumstances and determine which potential claims should be investigated.
Does Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
Insurance coverage is often an important part of a dog-bite claim.
Depending on the policy and circumstances, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide coverage for an injury caused by an insured person’s dog. However, coverage is not automatic in every case.
Policies can contain exclusions, coverage limits, notice requirements, and other provisions.
Our attorneys can identify potential insurance coverage and communicate with insurers on behalf of an injured client. This allows the victim to focus on treatment instead of handling repeated insurance calls and requests.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Michigan?
Dog-bite victims should not wait unnecessarily before investigating a potential claim.
Michigan imposes statutes of limitation on personal injury lawsuits, and the applicable deadline can depend on the particular cause of action and circumstances. Other timing rules may also affect certain cases.
Waiting can create another problem even before a legal deadline expires: evidence disappears.
Video can be deleted. Witnesses move. Memories fade. Records become harder to locate.
Speaking with an attorney promptly gives the legal team more time to investigate the attack and determine the deadlines that apply to the specific case.
Why Hire Khamo Law After a Dog Attack?
Dog-bite claims can become contentious even when the underlying Michigan statute appears straightforward.
An insurance company may challenge the severity of the injuries, argue that the victim provoked the animal, dispute insurance coverage, or attempt to settle before the victim understands the full extent of future medical treatment.
Khamo Law can handle the legal and insurance issues while you concentrate on recovering.
Our team can:
- Investigate how the attack happened
- Identify responsible parties
- Preserve important evidence
- Review applicable insurance policies
- Document medical expenses and other losses
- Evaluate future damages
- Communicate with insurance companies
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Prepare the case for litigation when necessary
We represent injured people throughout Michigan and can also evaluate related claims involving wrongful death, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries,, and other serious personal injuries.
Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer FAQs
Is a dog owner liable for the first bite in Michigan?
Potentially, yes. Michigan’s dog-bite statute does not require proof that the dog previously bit someone or that the owner knew the dog was vicious. The other requirements of the statute still must be satisfied.
What if the dog had never been aggressive before?
A lack of previous aggression does not by itself prevent liability under Michigan’s dog-bite statute. The statute expressly addresses liability regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of it.
Can I bring a claim if the bite happened at the dog owner’s house?
Potentially. Michigan’s statute specifically includes bites occurring on an owner’s private property when the victim was lawfully there and the other statutory requirements are satisfied.
What if the insurance company says I provoked the dog?
Do not assume the insurer’s conclusion resolves the issue. Provocation is an important legal issue under Michigan’s statute, and the circumstances leading up to the attack should be investigated.
Can parents pursue a claim when a dog bites their child?
A dog-bite claim involving a minor can potentially be pursued when the legal requirements are satisfied. Because serious attacks can cause permanent scarring and future treatment needs, the child’s long-term damages should be carefully evaluated.
Should I report a dog bite?
Apart from documenting the incident, medical and public-health concerns may require attention. Michigan health authorities advise that animal bites should be reported to the local health department and that potential rabies exposure should receive appropriate medical evaluation.
Speak With a Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer at Khamo Law
A dog attack can happen in seconds, but the injuries can affect a victim for years.
If you or your child suffered injuries in a dog attack, you do not have to deal with the insurance company alone. A Michigan dog bite lawyer at Khamo Law can investigate what happened, explain your legal options, and pursue the compensation available under Michigan law.
We represent dog-bite victims throughout Michigan, including people in Troy, Sterling Heights, Southfield, Warren, Clinton Township, Detroit, and surrounding communities.
Call Khamo Law at (248) 466-0606 or contact us online for a free consultation. No fees unless we win.
Legally reviewed by Attorney Koro E. Khamo
Attorney at Khamo Law, PLLC