Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause severe injuries, particularly when the victim is an elderly person or a child. In the state of Michigan, victims may be eligible to hold the dog’s owner liable for their damages (medical expenses, physical pain and mental suffering, lost wages and more).

If you have been injured in a dog attack, contacting an experienced Clare dog bite attorney from Jay Trucks and Associates can be an important step in the recovery process. We offer a free consultation and do not charge any legal fees unless we can successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

The attorneys at Jay Trucks and Associates have over 150 years of combined legal experience fighting for the rights of personal injury victims throughout the state of Michigan and successfully recovered more than $500,000,000 on behalf of our clients, including a $98,000 recovery for a 5 year old child that suffered facial injuries in a dog attack.

Our Clare dog bite attorneys can help determine if you have a valid claim and charge no upfront fees if we take on your case.

How Do I Know if my Case Qualifies for Compensation?

Under Michigan’s dog bite statute, if a person is bitten by a dog without provocation on public property, or on private property and the person was legally allowed to be on the property, the owner may be held liable for any damages sustained by the victim.

If you were illegally trespassing on someone else’s property at the time you were bitten by the dog, you may not have a viable claim. However, if you were attacked on public property or as an invitee at the home of a friend or relative, you may qualify to seek compensation for your damages, such as any past, present or future medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages from missed time from work.

There are times where the dog owner may try to blame the victim, saying he or she provoked the dog to attack, however, the dog owner would have to prove this was the case.

If you are unsure whether you have a case, give us a call to discuss the details of your situation. Our knowledgeable Clare dog bite lawyers are available to answer your questions.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive?

The amount of compensation you may receive from a dog bite claim depends largely on the severity of your injuries. However, weighing the severity of an injury and its effect on a dog bite victim is a complex task, and many victims benefit from having their situation reviewed by a qualified lawyer with a proven track record.

Personal injury compensation is usually broken into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are the financial costs incurred because of the injury, such as:

• Any past, present or future medical expenses
• Doctor visits
• Surgeries
• Hospital visits
• Travel to and from medical appointments
• Medical tests such as blood work, urine samples, etc.
• Prescription costs
• Medical devices and equipment
• Caregiver needs during recovery
• Loss of income from missing work
• Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to work
• Property enhancements due to your injury
• Property damages related to the attack

Non-economic damages are the physical and emotional damages that a victim may suffer, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma and mental anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Our attorneys understand the physical, mental and financial challenges individuals and families may face after a serious bog bite.

What is a Dangerous Dog in Michigan?

Under Michigan law, a dangerous animal is one that bites or attacks a person or causes serious injury or death to another dog while the other dog is on the property and under the control of its owner.

However, dogs are not considered dangerous if they:

• Attack someone who is knowingly trespassing on the owner’s property
• Bite or attack someone who provoked or tormented the animal
• Are responding in a manner that an ordinary, reasonable person would conclude was meant to protect a person if that individual was taking part in unlawful activity or was being assaulted

If you were attacked by a dangerous dog, schedule a free consultation to find out how our attorneys may be able to assist you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

According to the Michigan statute of limitations, personal injury victims have up to three years to file a personal injury claim. However, this time period may be extended or shortened, depending on the details of your claim.

This is something our Clare dog bite attorneys can discuss during your free consultation. There are no costs associated with your confidential consultation and you are not obligated to hire us to represent your claim, so there is no risk to you.

Give us a call today before it is too late. If your claim is not submitted before the deadline, you run the risk of having it dismissed in court.

From the first phone call, everything was explained in layman’s terms.

– B. Thomas

What Can a Lawyer Do to Help?

Most personal injury victims who decide to hire a licensed lawyer to represent them tend to recover more compensation as opposed to those who do not. Dog bite claims may be difficult to prove without the help of a reputable attorney.

If your dog bite claim is validated by our dedicated team of legal professionals, we are ready to help build a robust case. Some of the steps we may take include:

• Making sure your claim is filed correctly and on time
• Investigating the scene of the attack for helpful evidence
• Collecting the medical documentation needed to prove the severity of your injuries
• Interviewing any possible witnesses
• Bringing in industry experts to back your claim (if necessary)
• Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement
• Preparing your case for trial (if necessary)

You can refer insurance companies to your attorney if you would prefer not to speak with them. If you say the wrong thing to the insurance company, you might hurt your claim. Insurance adjusters are trying to find a way to pay out the least amount of compensation for your damages.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite or Attack

There are several steps you should take after a dog bite to protect your health and safety and your potential claim for compensation:

• Separate yourself from the dog – Make sure you get to a safe place where the dog can no longer attack you.
• Seek medical attention immediately – It is important for your health and safety to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. Even a small dog bite can cause serious infections and permanent scarring.
• Report the dog bite – Once you are safe from further harm, report the dog bite to the Clare County Animal Shelter/Control. The authorities can take appropriate action to try to prevent the dog from biting anyone else.
• Collect witness information – Witness statements can help strengthen a dog bite claim. Make sure to ask for contact information for future reference.
• Take pictures – If possible, take pictures of your injuries and anything else that might help your case, such as bloody clothing, the dog or property damage caused during the attack.
• Save important documentation – This includes medical documents and receipts, along with any property damage assessments.

Get in Contact with a Clare Dog Bite Lawyer Today

If you are unsure if you may have a valid claim, contact our firm so an experienced lawyer from Jay Trucks and Associates can determine whether you have legal options and the compensation that may be available. The consultation is free of charge.

We have over 500 five-star reviews from our clients and have obtained more than $500 million in compensation on their behalf. If you have a case and hire our firm, you will not have to pay us any fees unless we win compensation for your dog bite claim.

Our office is located at 600 Pine Street in Clare, Michigan, which is just around the corner from the MidMichigan Medical Center.