Detroit Dog Bite Lawyer

We Can Help Recover Damages for Dog Bites

Victims suffering from dog bite injuries due to an attack may be able to recover compensation for the following types of damages:

Economic Damages. Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value attached to them, such as:

• Ambulance or medevac services
• Hospital bills
• Doctor bills
• Surgery
• Reconstructive or plastic surgery
• Medications and prescriptions
• Psychiatrist or psychologist bills
• Rehabilitation
• Therapy
• Future medical care expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Property damage.

Non-economic Damages. Non-economic damages encompass the more intangible effects of an injury, such as:

• The pain and suffering during and after an attack
• The trauma of being permanently disfigured
• The emotional distress of being mauled by a dog
• The agony of permanent physical impairment
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• PTSD
• Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Anxiety

Punitive Damages. Punitive damages may also be available in some cases, where the dog owner’s conduct was particularly egregious, such as:

• The dog caused the death of a person.
• The dog’s had a history of being dangerous.
• The dog’s attack was foreseeable.
• The dog was trained or used for fighting.
• The dog was bred to be dangerous.
• The dog was not securely enclosed or properly restrained.
• The dog’s owner was grossly negligent.

The damages from a dog bite are often significant and can depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and the type of medical treatment sought. An experienced lawyer should be able to evaluate your claim and determine what is fair compensation for your injuries. Making the mistake of hiring an attorney who has not handled these types of claims can mean the difference of not maximizing your settlement.

Why Hire Goodman Acker Attorneys?

1. We carefully listen to our clients.

Each case is unique and we want you to explain in detail what your objectives are and what you want in order to be made whole from your dog bite injury. We carefully listen to our clients and tailor our legal strategy to fit their specific needs and goals. Whether that means aggressively pursuing compensation in court or working hard to negotiate a fair settlement out of court, we’re committed to protecting our clients’ best interests. Additionally, we promise:

• To establish clear lines of communication between you and your assigned attorney
• To keep you updated and always advise you of the status of your case
• To answer your questions, give direct answers, and make sure you know your rights.

2. We know how to handle dog bite injury cases.

Michigan ranks in the top ten states for dog bites, and nearly 1 in 5 people who are bitten by a dog require medical attention. Few personal injury law firms in Michigan can match the experience and success that Goodman Acker, PC has achieved on behalf of our clients who have been seriously injured by a dog bite. Our attorneys have represented dog bite victims for over three decades, and we have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We understand what being bitten by a vicious dog can do to a victim and their family, and we are dedicated to fighting for the maximum compensation that our clients deserve.

3. The right attorney should be affordable.

When you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to afford an attorney. At Goodman Acker, we understand the financial concerns that our clients face. The cost of hiring a Michigan dog bite attorney can be a deterrent for some, which is why we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. There is no risk or obligation, and you will not be charged any fees unless we recover compensation for you.

4. Better lawyers mean better representation.

Goodman Acker, PC continues its Legacy of Excellence by making sure that people who cause injuries to others are held accountable to their victims. This essential work has earned us many awards and accolades such as:

• Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent of Attorneys 2019 by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Personal Injury 2019
• Leaders in Law, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (2015)
• 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating
• AV® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Inclusion on the Super Lawyers® list
• Inclusion on the Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2021 Hall of Fame list

The esteemed lawyers at Goodman Acker, PC play a vital role in upholding the rule of law. In practicing law ethically, we seek to maintain the credibility of a justice system that allows people with the bad luck of being injured to get back what they lost and be made whole as much as possible.

What Are Michigan’s Dog Bite Laws?

Dogs are beloved by many Americans, and it’s easy to see why. They offer companionship, love, and support, often seeming more like family than pets. However, we mustn’t forget that even the most trusted dogs can be capable of inflicting serious injuries. Children, in particular, are at a high risk for severe dog bite injuries – and some dog attacks are even fatal. Dogs may be man’s best friend, but we must always remember to exercise caution around them. When a dog bite injury does occur, victims and their families need to know their rights under the law.

Dog Owners are Strictly Liable for the Harm Caused by Their Dogs

Michigan does not follow the “one bite rule” that some states give to dogs and, by extension, their owners. If you have been the victim of a dog bite in Michigan, it’s important to recognize that Michigan has given you a legal remedy for injuries, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten someone before.

Under Michigan’s dog bite laws, a dog that bites or attacks a person without provocation is considered to be a dangerous animal. If you have been bitten by a dog while on public property or while lawfully on private property, the dog’s owner will be held liable for any damages that you have suffered. This law is in place to protect victims of dog bites in Michigan and to ensure that victims receive compensation regardless of the dog’s history of viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s viciousness.

Defenses to the Liability of Dog Owners for Bites

If you have been the victim of a dog bite, do not hesitate to contact an experienced injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today at (248) 286-8100.Inasmuch as Michigan’s dog bite laws are designed to protect citizens from dangerous dogs, the law does not consider a dog dangerous if it bites or attacks a person who is knowingly trespassing on the property of the animal’s owner. Additionally, a dog is not considered dangerous if it bites or attacks a person who provokes or torments the dog. Finally, a dog is not considered dangerous if the dog responds in a manner that an ordinary and reasonable person would conclude was designed to protect a person if that person is engaged in a lawful activity or is the subject of an assault.

In other words, if the person attacked was committing or attempting to commit an unlawful act on the property of the owner of the animal, the dog owner will not be held liable for the injuries caused by their dog. The purpose of these legal defenses is to protect the rights of dog owners who would otherwise be held liable for injuries caused by their dogs.

Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Detroit Answer Some Frequently Asked Questions

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]