The old adage “a dog is man’s best friend” only applies when the dog is the family pet. If the dog attacks you, causing injuries, that saying clearly does not apply. In fact, dog bite injuries can be some of the most serious injuries a victim can suffer both from a physical and psychological standpoint. If you have been injured in a dog attack, or are the parent of an injured victim, your first question is likely “ Who is responsible for my dog bite injuries in Michigan? ”
Dog bites often result in extremely serious physical injuries in part because a dog bite can break the skin and tear deep into a victim’s flesh, muscle, and even bone. The other reason why dog bites are so dangerous is the risk of infection from even a relatively minor bite. Even a dog who has had all required immunizations can still carry potentially dangerous germs in his or her mouth which are then transferred into the victim’s bloodstream if the bite punctures the flesh.
The emotional trauma caused by a dog attack is frequently as serious, if not more so, than the physical injuries caused by the attack. This is particularly true when the victim is a child. A young child who is bitten by a dog can spend a lifetime living in fear of another attack. Without question, the psychological injuries that result from a dog bite cannot be ignored when discussing compensation.
Michigan uses a strict liability standard in dog bite cases. What that means is that a victim does not have to prove that the owner of a dog was negligent, or that the dog has a history or propensity for aggressiveness, in order to be entitled to compensation for injuries sustained in a dog attack. Specifically, Mich. Comp. Laws Ann., Sec. 287.351 states:
Sec. 1. (1) 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.
In essence, the law holds the owner of a dog strictly liable for injuries caused if the dog bites someone unless the victim provoked the dog or the victim was unlawfully on the owner’s private property.
If you were attacked by a dog, or you are the parent of a minor child who was attacked by a dog, you are likely going to be suffering for some time to come as a result of the physical and emotionally damage caused by the attack. Although no amount of money is worth a lifetime of trauma, you should not have the bare the financial burden caused by the attack either. Contact an experienced Michigan dog bite attorney immediately to find out what legal options you may have.
