When a dog bites you in Michigan, your first reaction may be a mixture of shock and fear. Dogs aren’t supposed to bite. They’re supposed to be cuddly and friendly. But the dog you encountered was different from the rest. It tricked you. It looked sweet until it wasn’t. And now you’ve lost trust in all dogs because of this traumatic occurrence.
Your injury from the dog bite was significant. You needed stitches and will have a permanent scar. Now that you’re in recovery, you’re wondering what you can do to seek justice for what happened to you.
Thankfully, Michigan allows you to sue the dog owner for their negligence. With the help of a dog bite lawyer from Christensen Law, you can recover compensation for your damages. By taking legal action, you’ll relieve the financial burden from the accident and be able to move forward with your life.
Michigan holds dog owners strictly liable for the injuries their dogs inflict. But dog owners are only liable if these injuries are caused by dog bites as opposed to injuries indirectly caused by a dog’s actions. Unlike some states that have a one-bite dog law, dog owners in Michigan are liable for dog bite injuries even if their dog was never violent in the past.
Although dog owners in Michigan are held strictly liable for dog bite injuries, you may have to prove that your injury was caused by a dog bite.
For example, if a dog caused you to fall off your bike and get injured, you may not have grounds for a strict liability case against the dog owner. But if you can prove that the dog bit you and your injuries are a result of the bite, then you deserve a settlement for your damages.
Any damages you’ve experienced because of the dog bite can be accounted for in your claim. These damages may be economic or non-economic.
Economic damages may include things like medical expenses to repair your injury and lost wages to account for time you took off of work to recover from your injury. Non-economic damages may include things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement, and emotional distress.
If you aren’t sure whether your dog bite incident in Michigan constitutes a lawsuit, you can speak with a dog bite lawyer from Christensen Law. Our team will gather evidence from the scene of your incident and use that evidence to determine how best to move forward.
With an experienced lawyer by your side, you’ll have a better chance of building a strong case and getting the settlement you deserve. If you’d like to discuss your case in greater detail, you can schedule a free consultation with us by calling 248-213-4900. You can also visit our website for more information.
