Dog Bite Lawsuit FAQs

Typically, the settlement is paid by the homeowner’s insurance company for the owner or keeper of the dog. Many dog bite victims are reluctant to file claims against relatives, friends or neighbors until they learn that the settlement comes from the insurance company.

For dog bite cases in Michigan, you typically have three years from the date of the dog attack to file your lawsuit against the owner or keeper of the dog. If the injury victim is a child, the child has until his or her 19th birthday to file their case, even if the attack happened when the child was very young.

Yes, you can sue if you have been chased and attacked by an unleashed dog on bicycle in Michigan. Michigan has a leash law which requires dog owners to keep their dog on a leash and under control when in public areas. Many dog owners do not abide by this law and allow their dogs to run freely, however when a person is injured after being chased/ and or bitten by a dog, the dog owner is responsible for injuries suffered in the attack according to Michigan law.

If you or someone you know suffers injuries after being chased by a dog and attacked, when the dog was unleashed, you should call our Michigan dog bite attorneys so that we can fully investigate your dog bite injury case. Our dog bite lawyers have experience in these types of cases and have a track record of obtaining sizeable settlements for their injured clients. We can do the same for you. Call now for your free legal consolation.

If you or someone you know was attacked by a dog in Michigan they are entitled to compensation for dog bite injuries. Under Michigan law, the dog owner is reliable to pay for a victim’s pain and suffering damages, unless that person was a trespasser on private property or provoked the dog into the attack.

Pain and suffering damages often result in significant compensation for the victim. The amount of compensation a victim will receive does depend on a number of factors regarding the attack, including, but not limited to, the seriousness of your injuries, the type of medical treatment received for the injuries, including all future treatment, as well as the amount of the insurance policy limits available from the dog owner’s insurance policy.

Our firm has represented dog bite victims and their families for over 40 years throughout the State of Michigan, and has the knowledge, expertise, and experience in handling these types of cases. We have a track record of obtaining sizeable Michigan dog bite settlements and jury verdicts for our injured clients and providing the best service possible.

You do not need an attorney to sue if bitten by a dog in Michigan; however it is must more beneficial to you if you do have an experienced lawyer represent you in your Michigan dog bite case. There are several reasons why having an attorney is important and they include:

1. You will never want to sign a Release or any other paperwork with the insurance company without having it reviewed by a dog bite lawyer. Often times, included on a Release form is language that may in fact hurt you in the future for you dog bite claim. An attorney will be able to ensure you do sign anything that will haunt you in the future.
2. If it was your child that was bitten by a dog in Michigan and you are filing a dog attack claim on your child’s behalf, you will have to go to court. The majority of individuals do not have experience in the court room, however an attorney does and if you hire an attorney that specializes in dog bite injury, they will have significant experience not only in the court room, but also specifically to lawsuits relating to dog bite injuries and attacks.
3. You will often receive a higher settlement amount, even after paying attorney fees. This is because an experienced dog bite lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so that you receive the maximum compensation for injuries suffered.

Yes, a landlord can be held accountable or liable if a tenant’s vicious dog attacks or bites a person. Most people are aware that they have a legal right to sue the dog owner for their injuries, but less know that a person may be able to sue the landlord of a tenant dog for injuries suffered from the dog bite. In order for a dog bite victim to hold the Michigan landlord liable, the landlord must have been aware of the tenant’s dangerous dog, for example, the tenant’s dog tried to attack someone in the past, the landlord’s response to the knowledge of the tenant’s dangerous dog was unreasonable, and person injured by the vicious dog took place on the Michigan landlord’s property or next to the property.

If all of these conditions apply, than the landlord is liable for the tenant’s vicious dog attack and you do have the legal right to sue the landlord for your dog bite injuries.

Under Michigan law, you do have the legal right to sue the dog owner, but you also may be able to hold the landlord liable as well. Our experienced Michigan Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. dog attack attorneys will discuss your case with you and determine whether or not you can hold the landlord liable as well for the injuries you suffered in the Michigan dog attack. We will also represent you in your vicious tenant’s dog bite case under our No Fee Promise, which means no legal fees until we win or settle your case. Call today for your free consultation!

Yes, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit for a dog bite attack if your loved one was killed due to a deadly canine attack. These lawsuits are filed against the dog owner and often result in significant settlements due to the tragic and horrific circumstance of the attack.

Compensation for these types of cases include pain and suffering damages endured by the loved one prior to death, the loss of society and companionship of the loved one, the loss of income and support for a parent, and payment of funeral and burial expenses. The homeowner’s insurance company for the dog owner usually pays a settlement to the surviving family members.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one in a fatal dog bite attack, you should contact our top rated attorneys today at the law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Our experienced dog bite attorneys specialize in these types of cases and have a tremendous track record of obtaining sizeable settlements for our clients. We can do the same for you.

A dog bite or attack can leave a significant scar or disifigurement on the face of the dog bite victim. Many times, the bite victim will want to have the scar improved or minimized through plastic surgery. The cost of this plastic surgery from a dog bite can be very expensive and quite often the dog attack victim cannot afford the expense.

Under Michigan law, the dog bite victim can claim as a part of damages in a dog bite lawsuit the past and future medical expenses caused by the dog bite. This includes the expense of plastic surgery to improve or minimize the scar. Our Michigan dog bite lawyers will determine the expense of future surgeries and include that in our demand for a settlement, along with the pain and suffering and other emotional damages suffered due to you being bitten by a dog.

Yes, you may file a lawsuit for psychological injuries from a dog attack in Michigan. Although most cases involve facial disfigurement, maiming, scarring, and nerve damage, psychological injuries can be just as severe and are valid reasons to file a claim.

After being attacked by a dog in Michigan, a person may not feel or behave normally for a significant amount of time. He or she may feel depressed, nervous or fearful — may cry, take dangerous risks or not get along with friends and family. There are many possible symptoms and classifications of this problem. “Post-traumatic stress disorder” is one such classification.

One of the most painful effects of a dog bite can be the resulting morbid fear of dogs. The emotional reactions of children who are the victims of, or witnesses to, dog attacks include fear, depression, withdrawal and anger. Some children and adolescents will have prolonged problems after a traumatic event. These potentially chronic conditions include depression and prolonged grief.

These problems can occur immediately or sometime after the tragic event. Many such children will develop post-traumatic stress. PTSD may resolve without treatment, but some form of therapy by a mental health professional is often required in order for healing to occur.

Being that these injuries are not visible injuries, it is important to choose a top rated dog bite lawyer in Michigan who has experience in these types of cases.