Injured In A Dog Bite Attack? Here’s How A Personal Injury Claim Can Help

In this article, you can discover…

• What you should do immediately after a dog bite.
• If you can get compensation if the dog does not have a history of incidents.
• What damages you are entitled to after a dog bite.

What Should I Do Immediately After A Dog Bite To Protect My Health And My Injury Claim?

The first thing you should do immediately after a dog bite is to get yourself to safety – your well-being is paramount, and you should do whatever is necessary to get away from the animal.

Once you are safe, try to identify the dog. Most of the time, dog bite incidents happen in the house of someone you know. But there are occasions when the incident will occur with a foreign animal. In a recent case I had, a woman was walking down the street with her grandchild in a stroller, and a dog just came out from a yard and attacked her with no warning.

Once you establish where the dog came from, call the police or animal control. Similarly to a car accident, having official documentation of the incident is essential. Animal control can document the bite, identify the dog’s breed, and confirm the owner.

Can I Still Get Compensation If The Dog Has Never Bitten Anyone Before Or If The Owner Claims I Provoked It?

Yes, it is possible to get compensation even if it is the dog’s first time biting someone.

In Michigan, there is a strict liability law when it comes to dog bites. That means the owner is legally responsible for the incident, regardless of whether the dog has bitten someone before.

Now, there are a couple of defenses a dog owner might try to claim. If you provoked the dog or if you were unlawfully on the owner’s property when the bite occurred, these situations can limit or reduce your ability to receive compensation. But the burden is on the owner to prove.

Attorney Paul Boucon is a compassionate lawyer who has helped countless clients seek justice for their injuries in Michigan. With his extensive knowledge of personal injury law, he will use every tool in his arsenal to make sure you aren’t taken advantage of and the party responsible for your injury pays.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Vincent E. Carlson & Associates, PLC today to schedule an initial consultation.

What Damages Am I Entitled To? And How Can A Lawyer Help Me Maximize My Compensation In A Dog Bite Injury Claim?

If you have suffered an injury from a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional trauma, and/or any permanent scarring that may have occurred.

In Michigan, you are given three years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim, which is a good thing because sometimes the full extent of the damage takes time to surface.

This is why it is important to have a lawyer to help maximize your compensation.

First, we will help identify the dog’s owner, which is not as simple as it sounds. It might take some real detective work to track them down. Then, once we have established who owns the dog, we will figure out who is actually going to pay for a settlement.

Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance often covers dog bite claims, but the owners often will fight to avoid handing over this information. That is where legal leverage comes in handy. We know how to get that information, whether through formal requests, demand letters, or, if necessary, filing a lawsuit to apply pressure.

How Long Do I Have To File A Dog Bite Injury Claim In Michigan Before I Lose My Right To Compensation?

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for all personal injuries is three years.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on Dog bite injury claims in Michigan, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (231) 726-4357 today.