Sterling Heights Dog Bite Lawyers

Key takeaways

• Under Michigan law, a dog’s owner is “strictly liable” for bites, meaning you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous to have a valid claim.
• The definition of a dog’s “owner” is broad and can include anyone who keeps or harbors the animal, which may extend liability to people other than the legal titleholder.
• Damages from a dog bite are not limited to medical bills; they also include compensation for permanent scarring, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.

Guide to Sterling Heights Dog Bite Lawyer Content

• Michigan’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
• Who is Held Accountable for a Dog Bite in Sterling Heights?
• Common Injuries and Long-Term Consequences of Dog Attacks
• Actions to Take After Returning Home from a Dog Attack
• Defenses a Dog Owner Might Use
• Recoverable Damages in a Sterling Heights Dog Bite Case
• Why Choose Goodman Acker, PC for Your Sterling Heights Case?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Dog Bite Claims
• Reclaim Your Peace of Mind and Financial Stability

A leisurely walk in a Sterling Heights neighborhood, a playdate at a friend’s house, or a visit to a local park should be a safe experience. When a dog attacks, that sense of security is shattered in an instant, leaving behind physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime.

The aftermath of a dog bite is often filled with pain, fear, and a growing pile of medical bills. If someone else’s dog injured you or your child, you have the right to hold the owner accountable for the harm caused.

Sterling Heights dog bite lawyer provides the guidance and advocacy needed to secure the financial resources for your medical care, lost wages, and personal suffering.

Michigan’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

Michigan has a specific statute that addresses injuries caused by dog bites, and it is very favorable to victims. Unlike in some states where a victim might have to prove an owner was negligent, Michigan law simplifies the path to accountability.

• Strict liability: The law, found in MCL 287.351, establishes what is known as “strict liability.” This means if a dog bites a person without provocation, the owner is responsible for the damages suffered.
• No “One-Bite Rule”: The owner cannot defend themselves by claiming their dog had never bitten anyone before or had never shown any signs of aggression. The dog’s past behavior is irrelevant to the owner’s liability for the bite itself.
• Lawful presence: For the statute to apply, the person who was bitten must have been on public property or lawfully on private property. This includes being a guest in someone’s home, a customer in a business, or a mail carrier performing their duties.

Who is Held Accountable for a Dog Bite in Sterling Heights?

While the law clearly points to the “owner,” the legal definition of an owner is broader than many people realize. It is not just the person whose name is on the pet’s registration or veterinarian records.

Michigan law defines an owner as anyone who “keeps or harbors a dog.”

• Keepers and harborers: A “keeper” has custody, care, or control of the dog. A “harborer” allows the dog to stay on their property. This means that a non-owner, like a landlord or a property manager who is aware of a dangerous dog on their premises, may in some situations share responsibility for an attack.
• Multiple liable parties: Depending on the circumstances of the attack, several parties could be held accountable for your injuries. These may include:
  • The dog’s legal owner.
  • A family member or roommate who was caring for the dog.
  • A landlord who knew about the dog’s dangerous tendencies.
  • A property management company.

Common Injuries and Long-Term Consequences of Dog Attacks

A dog bite is a deeply traumatic event. The harm goes far beyond the initial wound and often requires extensive medical treatment and psychological support to address.

Physical injuries from a dog bite

The powerful jaws of a dog can cause immense physical damage in a matter of seconds.

• Puncture wounds and lacerations: Teeth can tear through skin, muscle, ligaments, and tendons. These wounds carry a very high risk of infection.
• Nerve damage: Deep bites can sever or damage nerves, leading to chronic pain, numbness, or loss of function in the affected limb.
• Broken bones: A large dog can easily crush or fracture bones, particularly in the hands, arms, feet, and legs of a victim.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement: Even after a wound heals, victims are often left with significant scars that serve as a permanent reminder of the attack. These are especially devastating when they occur on the face, neck, or hands.

Psychological and emotional trauma

The emotional impact of a dog attack is just as real as the physical pain and can persist for years.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Victims may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety related to the attack.
• Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs): A previously dog-loving person may develop an intense and debilitating fear of all dogs.
• Depression and Anxiety: The trauma of the event, combined with the stress of recovery and potential disfigurement, can lead to serious mental health challenges.

Actions to Take After Returning Home from a Dog Attack

After receiving initial medical attention, the steps you take can protect your health and legal rights. Your focus should be on documenting your injuries and preserving all evidence related to the incident.

1. Photograph your injuries: Take clear, well-lit photos of your injuries as soon as possible. Continue to take pictures every few days to document the healing process, any signs of infection, and the appearance of the wound over time.
2. Preserve the clothing: The clothing and shoes you wore during the attack are important evidence. Place them in a secure bag without washing them. Tears, bloodstains, and dirt can help reconstruct how the attack occurred.
3. Write down every detail: Your memory of the event is a critical piece of evidence. Write down everything you can remember: the date, time, location, what the dog looked like, what you were doing before the attack, what the owner said or did, and the names of any witnesses.
4. Report the Bite to Animal Control: Contact Macomb County Animal Control to file an official report. This creates a public record of the incident and ensures the dog is properly quarantined and evaluated as required by law.
5. Follow all medical advice: Attend every doctor’s appointment, go to physical therapy, take all prescribed medications, and consult with specialists like plastic surgeons if recommended. A complete medical record is necessary to prove the full extent of your damages.

Defenses a Dog Owner Might Use

Even with Michigan’s strict liability law, a dog owner or their insurance company may still try to avoid responsibility. A Sterling Heights personal injury lawyer must be prepared to counter these arguments.

The provocation defense

The most common defense is to claim the victim provoked the dog. If an owner can prove this, they may not be held liable.

• What is Provocation? Provocation is an act that would cause a typical dog to bite. This is a very fact-specific defense. Teasing, tormenting, hitting, or kicking a dog would likely be considered provocation.
• Unintentional Acts: The situation is more nuanced when the act was unintentional, especially with children. A child pulling a dog’s tail or ear might be viewed as provocation, even if the child meant no harm. An attorney’s role is to argue that the child’s actions were not sufficient to excuse the owner’s liability for the dog’s violent reaction.

The trespassing defense

The strict liability statute only protects people who are lawfully on the property where the bite occurs.

• Unlawful Presence: If a person was trespassing on private property when they were bitten, the owner may not be held liable under the dog bite statute.
• Lawful Visitors: This defense does not apply to social guests, mail carriers, utility workers, delivery drivers, or anyone else who has a legal right or implied permission to be on the property.

Recoverable Damages in a Sterling Heights Dog Bite Case

The purpose of filing a claim is to secure financial compensation for every loss you have suffered due to dog bite. This compensation, called damages, is broken down into two main categories.

Economic damages: 
These are the direct, out-of-pocket costs associated with the dog bite.

• All medical bills, including the initial emergency room visit, hospital stays, and follow-up appointments.
• The cost of future medical care, such as scar revision surgery or physical therapy.
• Lost wages from time you were unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of future earning capacity if the injury results in a permanent disability.
• Costs for psychological counseling or therapy.

Non-economic damages: These damages are meant to compensate you for the profound personal and emotional toll of the attack.
Permanent scarring is a frequent and devastating outcome of a serious dog attack.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain of the initial injury and the discomfort during the recovery process.
• Mental Anguish: Payment for the fear, shock, and emotional distress caused by the traumatic event.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Specific compensation for the permanent change in your appearance and the emotional hardship that comes with it.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Resources to account for your inability to participate in hobbies, activities, or social events you once enjoyed.

Why Choose Goodman Acker, PC for Your Sterling Heights Case?

When you are coping with the trauma of a dog attack, the legal team you choose makes all the difference. You need advocates who are not only skilled in the law but also compassionate to your experience.

At Goodman Acker PC, we bring a powerful combination of legal acumen and genuine client care to every case we handle.

• Deep experience with Michigan dog bite law: We have a thorough command of Michigan’s strict liability statute and a proven record of successfully countering provocation and trespassing defenses used by insurance companies.
• Compassion for victims and families: We know that dog bite cases, especially those involving children, are incredibly sensitive. We handle these claims with the compassion and dedication your family deserves.
• Local Macomb County presence: Our Sterling Heights office means we are part of your community. We are familiar with the local courts, procedures, and animal control authorities, providing a home-field advantage.
• Commitment to full compensation: We work tirelessly to identify and calculate all your damages, from the cost of plastic surgery to the long-term emotional harm, to ensure you receive a recovery that truly reflects your losses.
• No fee unless we win: We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay us nothing unless we win your case by securing a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Dog Bite Claims

Reclaim Your Peace of Mind and Financial Stability

A dog attack can take away your sense of safety and leave you with a heavy financial burden. You do not have to carry that weight alone. By holding the dog owner’s insurance company accountable, you can secure the resources you need to heal completely, both physically and emotionally.

The legal team at Goodman Acker PC is ready to stand up for you. We fight for dog bite victims in Sterling Heights and throughout Michigan, ensuring they get the justice and the compensation they deserve.

To discuss your case in a free and confidential consultation, call our Sterling Heights office today at (586) 261-8457.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Sterling Heights Office Location

Address:13854 Lakeside Cir suite 240
Sterling Heights, MI 48313

Phone: (586) 261-8457

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 ]