Dog Bites

Detroit's Premier Dog Bite Attorneys

Dog bites are traumatic events. They can result in serious injury including permanent scarring, permanent disfigurement, nerve damage and even death. Beyond the physical injury, victims sometimes suffer psychological harm from a dog bite. And most disturbing, nearly half of all dog bites involve children under ten years old.

In Michigan, a dog owner is responsible for any damage causes by an attack pursuant to statute. This statute, commonly known as The Michigan Dog Bite Statute, states:

If a dog bites a person, without provocation while the person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner of the dog, the owner of the dog shall be liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness. MCL 287.351.

In simple terms, a dog owner is liable for a dog attack when a dog bite occurs, unless there is provocation. It does not matter whether the dog in question was a "good dog" or whether the dog had ever bitten anyone prior. Michigan law does not recognize a "free bite." While insurance companies frequently attempt to assert the "provocation defense," especially with children, our attorneys aggressively rebut this usually false allegation.

What To Do If You Or A Loved One Has Suffered A Dog Bite

• Seek immediate medical attention to help prevent infection.
• Take pictures of the affected areas to show the damages caused by the dog bite.
• Get the name, telephone number, and address of any witnesses to the dog bite.
• Report the incident to dog owner and inquire if they have insurance.
• Make a police report or call your local animal control and make a report

Michigan law allows a dog bite victim up to 3 years from the date of the dog bite to file a claim. But it is not wise to wait. Instead, gather the necessary evidence including pictures and seek the necessary medical treatment. And then contact The Reizen Law Group at (248) 554-3440. Our experienced attorneys are expert in getting injured dog bite victims the maximum settlement.

Dog Bite Resource Center: 
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/dogbite-factsheet.html