Michigan Dog Bite Law Protects Dog Bite Victims

Michigan Dog Bite Law - A Strict Liability Statute

The Michigan Dog Bite Law is considered a “strict liability” statute. In other words, the law makes a dog owner responsible for any damage caused by the dog attack.

The Michigan Dog Bite Statute, MCL 287.351, states:

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.

Elements of a Michigan Dog Bite Claim

The two key elements necessary to prove a Michigan dog bite claim are:

• That the defendant owned the dog that attacked.
• That a bite occurred.

Evidence Necessary to Prove a Michigan Dog Bite Lawsuit

Although sometimes difficult, the dog owner usually can be identified with licensing and vaccination records, as well as the testimony of witnesses.

In most Michigan dog bite cases, the fact that the dog actually injured the victim can be established with photographs, medical records, witness statements, or other evidence that the dog caused physical harm.

Michigan Statute of Limitations in Dog Bite Cases

The Michigan Dog Bite Law allows you to take legal action against a dog owner for up to 3 years from the date of the incident. However, it is not wise to delay. If you wait, important evidence may disappear or witnesses may forget or move away. Thus, you should seek immediate legal help, if you or a loved one was the victim of a dog bite in Michigan.

In some situations, the dog bite victim has additional time to file a claim. The most common instance is a dog attack injury to a child under the age of 18. As a legal minor, a child bitten by a dog may have until his or her 19th birthday to start formal legal proceedings. However, waiting is usually not in the minor’s best interest. Instead, a parent or legal guardian should get immediate legal assistance and pursue the claim on the child’s behalf.

Value of a Michigan Dog Bite Case

Determining the value of a Michigan dog bite claim is a complicated matter. If you were attacked by a dog, you should seek legal help immediately. An experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer can carefully evaluate facts surrounding the dog attack, the physical and emotional harm you suffered, as well as the possibility of long-lasting damage.

Based on all this evidence, your Michigan dog bite attorney can advise you on the potential value of your Michigan dog attack claim and the best way to proceed.

Since 1968 our law firm, the Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, has been helping victims of Michigan dog attacks. We are committed to protecting the legal rights of each of our Michigan dog bite injury clients.

If you were the victim of a Michigan dog attack, the Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein is ready to help you. To get a FREE legal consultation immediately about pursuing a Michigan dog bite injury lawsuit, you can either:

• Send us an e-mail about your Michigan dog bite injury. Just click here for a Free Consultation Form that asks a few quick questions about the Michigan dog attack and your injuries. We will review your information immediately and respond promptly.
• Call us right now at our toll-free number 1-888-283-4431 to discuss your Michigan dog bite claim. Our telephones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan dog attack, contact an experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer immediately.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.