Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer: Best Canine Injury Attorneys
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If you, your child or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Michigan, you need an experienced lawyer to help you get the compensation and money damages you are legally entitled to. Your attorney will help you hold the canine’s owner accountable and stop him or her from blaming you for your injuries.
You need a proven attorney. And we are proven. Our lawyers have recovered some of the largest dog bite verdicts and settlements in Michigan, including a recent $8 million settlement which is the largest-ever reported canine attack result in the United States. This is also the largest canine injury settlement in our state’s history.
The best Michigan dog bite lawyers for you are at FallLaw.com. We can say this based on years of experience handling these types of premises cases against irresponsible property owners and our ability to deliver proven results for our clients that have surpassed any other attorney or law firm in the state.
Our reputation for fighting for our clients, including taking cases to trial when the insurance company refuses to make a full and fair offer, allows our Michigan dog bite lawyers to also settle these cases faster and often for significantly more money than other attorneys and law firms. When you hire us, we are committed to getting you the maximum possible settlement recovery in your case in the shortest amount of time.
Canine injury claims
In 2024, the Great Lakes State was the state with the fourth highest number of canine injury claims in the U.S., according to the Insurance Information Institute. Canine injury claims in our state increased 22% in 2024, from 932 in 2023 to 1,138 in 2024.
Canine injury claims in the U.S.
In 2024, there were 22,658 canine injury claims throughout the U.S., according to the Insurance Information Institute. That reflects an increase of 18.9% from 2023, when there were a total of 19,062 canine injury claims nationwide.
Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers With A Record-breaking settlement
Our Michigan dog bite lawyers won a record-breaking $8 million settlement for our client who suffered serious arm and hand injuries requiring several surgeries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
This is the largest ever reported canine injury recovery – settlement or trial verdict – in our state’s history. This is also the largest ever reported canine injury settlement in the United States.
Our attorneys prevailed in winning this record canine injury settlement even though the defense attempted to avoid responsibility by blaming our client and arguing that she had provoked the attack.
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite in Michigan?
In Michigan, if you are seriously injured in a dog bite attack, you are not required to hire a lawyer. However, you will find that it is in your best interest to be represented by an experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer.
The defense attorneys hired to defend these cases are not hired by the canine’s owner or the property owner, but by his or her homeowners insurance company. These are experienced insurance defense attorneys who are used to playing games to avoid any accountability for a canine attack. These attorneys will always try to shift the blame to you – accusing you of provoking the canine or of being somewhere you did not belong. They will also push low-ball settlement offers based on this deny, delay, defend approach.
That is why you need an attorney who knows how to cut through these attempts to avoid responsibility and can get you the fullest and fairest settlement compensation that you deserve.
Our experienced Michigan dog bite lawyers can protect you from these insurance company tricks and traps by immediately investigating and gathering evidence to prove that the owner is legally liable for your injuries.
The insurance industry’s own data shows that a person who is represented by an experienced attorney with a proven track record of success recovers significantly more money – and often much faster – than a person who is not represented by an attorney. This is especially important in canine attack cases, where the owner will aggressively insist that even the most innocent and insignificant movement or gesture on your part amounted to provocation. This is why hiring an attorney as soon as possible is so important in these cases.
What to do after a canine attack
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Gather information such as the canine owner’s name, address and contact information and proof of the canine’s vaccination status, especially whether and when the canine was vaccinated for rabies
- Take pictures and/or video of your injuries as soon as you are able after the bite
- Take pictures and/or video of the canine that bit you as well as the canine’s registration tags and any proof of vaccination status that the owner is able to produce
- File a report with the local animal control agency
- File a police report
- File a report with the appropriate local health department where rabies is suggested – such as when the canine’s owner refuses to provide proof that the canine has been vaccinated for rabies (R 325.180(6))
- Hire our top-rated Michigan dog bite lawyers
What To Expect From Our Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers
Our top-rated Michigan dog bite lawyers is specializes in cases involving injuries caused by canine attacks. Our main job is to help victims get fair and full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the bite. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you and expect from our trusted attorneys:
Free Consultation
Our trusted Michigan dog bite lawyers offer a free consultation to help you understand your legal options and begin the path to recovery. During this initial meeting, we take the time to meet with you personally to learn the full circumstances of the attack, including how and where it happened, the extent of your injuries, and any factors that may affect your claim.
From there, we carefully determine whether you have a valid legal case under our state laws, including claims based on negligence or strict liability. We also explain the legal process in clear, understandable terms, outlining your options and what you can expect as your case moves forward. This free consultation gives you the opportunity to ask questions, gain clarity, and make informed decisions about how to protect your rights—without any cost or obligation.
Perform A Thorough Investigation
Our highly-rated Michigan dog bite lawyers conduct a thorough investigation to build a strong case on your behalf. We start by collecting critical evidence, such as photographs of your injuries, medical records, and eyewitness statements. We also identify the owner, check vaccination and licensing records, and examine the circumstances surrounding the attack to determine liability. When needed, we work with experts to reconstruct the events or assess the long-term impact of your injuries.
A detailed investigation is essential because insurance companies often look for ways to minimize or deny claims. By carefully documenting every piece of evidence and uncovering the facts, our attorneys ensure your claim is supported by a solid foundation. This meticulous approach increases the likelihood of securing fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any lasting effects of the attack.
Preserve Evidence
Our experienced Michigan dog bite lawyers understand that preserving evidence is crucial to building a strong case. From the moment you contact us, we work to secure key documentation and proof that supports your claim. This includes photographs of your injuries, the scene of the attack, and any property damage, as well as medical records, witness statements, and information about the canine and its owner.
We also take steps to collect and protect additional evidence that could be critical, such as surveillance footage or veterinary records, and coordinate with experts when necessary to document long-term effects of your injuries. By carefully safeguarding all relevant evidence, our Michigan dog bite lawyers ensure your claim is fully supported and positioned for maximum compensation, giving you confidence that nothing important will be overlooked.
Effectively Communicate With Insurance Companies
Our proven Michigan dog bite lawyers handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf, so you don’t have to face the pressure of negotiating alone. We manage discussions and handle negotiations with homeowners’ or renters’ insurance providers, ensuring your claim is taken seriously and processed correctly.
Insurance companies often use tactics to minimize payouts or offer lowball settlements. Our attorneys protect victims from these strategies by advocating for fair compensation that fully accounts for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term effects of your injuries. By letting our experienced team manage all interactions with insurers, you can focus on your recovery while we fight to secure the settlement you deserve.
Assess And Calculate Damages
Our top-rated Michigan dog bite lawyers take a comprehensive approach to calculating damages to ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses. We carefully assess all losses, including medical expenses, ongoing treatment, lost income, emotional distress, and any scarring or disfigurement resulting from the attack. This thorough evaluation ensures that no part of your claim is overlooked.
When necessary, we collaborate with experts such as medical professionals and vocational specialists to document the long-term effects of your injuries and establish the full impact on your life. By combining detailed evidence with expert analysis, our attorneys build a strong case that reflects the true cost of the injury, helping you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
File A Lawsuit
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our top-rated Michigan dog bite lawyers are prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf. We handle every step of the process, starting with drafting and filing the complaint in court to formally begin your case. From there, we manage all pre-trial procedures, discovery, and motions, ensuring that your claim progresses efficiently and according to legal requirements.
Filing a lawsuit allows us to take your case to court and pursue the full compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. With our experienced attorneys representing you at every stage, you can focus on your recovery while we aggressively advocate for your rights and work to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Trial Representation
If your case goes to trial, our highly rated Michigan dog bite lawyers are prepared to represent you in court every step of the way. We handle all aspects of litigation, from presenting evidence and questioning witnesses to advocating for your interests before a judge and jury. Our goal is to ensure your story is fully heard and that the impact of your injuries is clearly understood.
By providing skilled trial representation, our leading Michigan dog bite lawyers work to secure the maximum compensation possible for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. With years of courtroom experience, we guide you through the legal process, handle all courtroom procedures, and aggressively protect your rights so you can focus on recovery while we fight for the outcome you deserve.
Legal Advice and Support
Our trusted Michigan dog bite lawyers provide personalized legal advice and support, guiding clients through the medical, insurance, and legal complexities that often follow an attack. We help you understand your rights, explain your legal options, and ensure that all deadlines are met and paperwork is properly filed, so your claim stays on track.
Beyond managing the legal details, we focus on giving you peace of mind, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery while we handle negotiations, medical documentation, and insurance communications. With our experienced attorneys by your side, you can feel confident that your rights are fully protected and your case is being handled with care and diligence.
Can I hire a lawyer to sue for a dog bite in Michigan?
In Michigan, you can hire a lawyer to sue for a dog bite. There are three types of claims that an attorney can make on your behalf: (1) a statutory strict liability claim, (2) a common-law strict liability claim, and (3) a common-law negligence claim.
- Statutory strict liability – To prove a statutory strict liability claim under MCL 287.351 against the canine’s owner, you must prove that (1) you were bitten by the owner’s canine, (2) you did not provoke the canine, and (3) you were on public property or you were lawfully on private property.
- Common-law strict liability – To prove this type of strict liability claim, the State Supreme Court in Trager v. Thor ruled that you must prove that (1) the “possessor” of the canine knew or should have known about the canine’s “abnormal dangerous propensities” and (2) your injuries were the result of the canine’s “dangerous propensity.” The Trager ruling explained that a “possessor” could be an owner or a person who has “sufficient custody and sufficient control of the animal to assess whether a risk is presented by an abnormal propensity and to decide whether an animal should be brought into or remain in the community.”
- Common-law negligence – To prove a negligence claim, the State Supreme Court in Trager v. Thor ruled that you must prove that there was ineffective control of [the canine] in a situation where it would reasonably be expected that injury could occur, and injury does proximately result from the negligence. In Rickrode v. Wistinghausen, the State Court of Appeals ruled that a canine injury victim must show that the “defendant failed to exercise ordinary care under the circumstances to control or restrain” the animal.
What is the
“Provocation” Defense?
“Provocation” Defense?
What is the “provocation” defense?
The provocation defense is what a canine owner may try to argue in order to avoid being held accountable for the injuries and damages that occurred as a result of his or her pet biting someone. Simply put, the canine owner is arguing that the only reason the animal bit someone is because the person “provoked” the canine.
Our state law defines “provocation” to mean “any action or activity, whether intentional or unintentional, which would reasonably be expected to cause a canine in similar circumstances to react in a manner similar to that shown by the evidence.”
What is the “trespasser” defense?
In order to avoid being held accountable for his or her canine biting someone, an owner may argue that the person who was bit was trespassing or otherwise was not lawfully on the property where he or she was bit.
State law provides that a person is (1) “lawfully on the property unless the person has gained lawful entry upon the premises for the purpose of an unlawful or criminal act or is a trespasser” or (2) lawfully on the property of the owner of the canine if the person is on the owner’s property in the performance of any duty imposed upon [him or her] by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States.
Whom can a lawyer sue for my dog bite injuries in Michigan?
In Michigan, a dog bite lawyer can sue the canine’s owner under any or all three types of claims: (1) statutory strict liability, (2) common-law strict liability, and (3) common-law negligence.
You may be able to sue a non-owner under common-law strict liability if you can show the person had “sufficient custody and sufficient control of the animal to assess whether a risk is presented by an abnormal propensity and to decide whether an animal should be brought into or remain in the community.” (Trager v. Thor)
You can sue a non-owner under common-law negligence so long as you can prove the negligence elements set out by the State Supreme Court in Trager v. Thor.
What damages can a lawyer help me recover after a dog bite accident in Michigan?
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite accident in Michigan, an experienced lawyer can help you sue for the following compensation and money damages:
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation for your physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, fright and shock, denial of social pleasure and enjoyment, embarrassment, humiliation and mortification. Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement – Additional compensation if your injury leads to long-term impairment or visible scarring.
- Medical Expenses – Coverage for hospital bills, plastic and/or reconstructive surgery, psychiatrist or psychologist bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and future medical care.
- Lost Wages – Compensation for missed work, reduced hours, or loss of future income due to your injury.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs – Reimbursement for things like medical equipment, transportation to appointments, or in-home care.
- Wrongful Death – If the ferocity of the canine attack or the severity of the injuries results in your child or your loved one losing his or her life, then you may be able to bring a lawsuit for death damages against the pet’s owner.
Who pays for my compensation and money damages?
Generally, a canine owner’s homeowners insurance or renters insurance will pay for the compensation and damages that the owner is legally liable for up to the coverage limits in the owner’s insurance policy.
If the compensation and money damages that a canine owner owes exceed his or her policy limits, then the owner will have to personally pay the excess amount that is owed.
If the insurance company and/or the canine owner refuse to pay, then the injured victim may need to file a lawsuit in court.
Common injuries
Common injuries from a dog bite include puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, infections such as rabies, pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress, and in severe cases, death. Even a minor dog bite injury can lead to chronic pain, long-term disability, or ongoing health problems that impact daily life.
How long does a settlement take?
A settlement may only take weeks or months when liability is uncontested and the pet owner’s insurance coverage is sufficient to pay for your compensation and damages. If a lawsuit is necessary, a settlement could take one to two years depending on where you file and the court’s backlog of cases.
However, many cases can be settled without a lawsuit. Once an initial investigation into how the injury occurred is completed, and if the full extent of the injuries and the resulting disability can be reasonably known, then a case can settle pre-lawsuit, or at the demand phase with an insurance company claims adjuster. Pre-lawsuit, a settlement may take only six months to settle. Once a lawsuit is filed, however, a lawsuit can take longer to settle your case.
Factors that can affect how long it may take to reach a settlement in your case include:
- The nature and extent of your injuries
- Your current and future medical treatment needs
- Your total lost wages if your injuries disable you from working, and the extent of future work disability
- Your attorney’s experience, track record and reputation (attorneys with a demonstrated track record of settlement and trial success can settle cases for significantly more money and often much faster than attorneys without a proven track record)
- The particular insurance companies that are involved
- When a lawsuit is filed
- The extent of legal discovery and the number of depositions, experts and witnesses
- Case evaluation proceedings
- Settlement and pretrial conferences set by the trial court in your case.
How much does an attorney cost?
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our trusted and experienced Michigan dog bite lawyers work on a one-third (1/3) or 33.3% contingency fee basis where we are paid only if we recover for you. That means you pay no upfront costs. You pay nothing while your case is pending. And you never pay anything out-of-pocket. You pay only if we deliver you a winning settlement or trial verdict, and your payment to us comes out of the recovery we obtain for you. By working for you on a contingency fee basis, we only get paid if you get paid. No recovery, no fee.
How to choose the right dog bite lawyer for my Michigan case?
The qualities that you should look for when choosing a Michigan dog bite lawyer to help you and your family include:
- Experience – Look for an attorney who has successfully handled canine attack cases and understands the complexities involved.
- Proven results – Look for a track record of winning million-dollar settlements and verdicts. And no one has won bigger settlements than our own dog bite lawyers over the years, including the very largest settlement in the United States and in Michigan.
- Reputation in the field – An excellent reputation among insurance companies, adjusters, and opposing counsel can often lead to more favorable outcomes.
- Willingness to go to trial – Choose a Michigan dog bite lawyer who is not afraid to take your case to court if that is what it takes to get you full and fair compensation.
- Reputation with past clients – Check the attorney’s 5-star reviews and testimonials to see how the attorney treats clients and communicates throughout the case.
One of the most important factors that affect not only the size of your premises liability settlement, but also how quickly your case settles, is your choice of who you select to represent you as your attorney.
Unlike most other aspects of your case, this is one of the key settlement factors that is entirely, 100% within your control.
The insurance industry’s own data shows that cases that are handled by experienced personal injury attorneys who specialize in premises liability law and who have a proven track record of settlements and trial verdicts typically settle for considerably more money – and often much faster.
What Set Us Apart From Other Dog Bite Laywers In Michigan
Here is what sets us apart from other dog bite lawyers in Michigan:
- We have consistently won some of the very largest canine settlements and trial verdicts in our state.
- We have also won the largest ever canine injury settlement in the United States and the largest canine injury settlement in our state’s history.
- We have recovered multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.
- We are trusted, experienced and know canine attack cases inside and out.
- We stand up to the insurance companies because we know how they operate – and we fight to get our clients every dollar in compensation and money damages that they deserve.
- We pride ourselves on treating every client with care, compassion, and respect.
- We take your case personally and we give you the attention and care that you need in order to move forward.
- We pride ourselves on open, clear and ongoing communication and we will always be there when you need us.
- We will ALWAYS return your calls and emails and answer your questions.
- You pay us nothing unless we win your case. No upfront costs. No hourly billing. No out-of-pocket payments. No risk to you.
Get help from our Michigan dog bite lawyers today
You do not have to go it alone after your canine attack. Let our Michigan dog bite lawyers put their experience, skills and proven track record of success to work for you – giving you the peace of mind you need while they work tirelessly to get you the compensation that you need and deserve to start rebuilding your life.
We pride ourselves on treating every client with care, compassion, and respect. We pride ourselves on communication and we will always be there when you need us. We will ALWAYS return your calls and emails and answer your questions.
To speak with an experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer about your injury, call us now, or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
We will help you understand our state’s laws and answer all of your questions about how we can make the law work for you. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. We’re here for you now.
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Get help from our FallLaw.com lawyers today
You do not have to go it alone after your slip and fall accident. With a proven record of securing top settlements in Michigan slip and fall cases, attorney Tim Holland and his team of lawyers at FallLaw.com give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your case is in experienced hands — while they fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
We pride ourselves on treating every client with care, compassion, and respect. We pride ourselves on communication and we will always be there when you need us. We will ALWAYS return your calls and emails and answer your questions.
To speak with an experienced slip and fall accident attorney about your injury, call us now, or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
We will help you understand Michigan’s slip and fall law and answer all of your questions about how we can make the law work for you. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. We’re here for you now.
Meet Our Attorney
Tim Holland is arguably Michigan’s most experienced and successful slip and fall lawyer. You can read more about Tim Holland’s experience and success here.
What Is Your Slip and Fall Case Worth?
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