Jay Trucks & Associates, P. C.

Lansing Dog Bite Attorney

FREE CASE CONSULTATION

No Fees Unless We Win

Unprovoked attacks from a dangerous dog are terrifying, and victims may suffer disfiguring lacerations, broken bones or serious infections. Medical care for these injuries may be costly, and the emotional trauma often lingers long after the wounds have healed.

At Jay Trucks and Associates, we are prepared to help you seek compensation for the medical bills and other damages you sustained in an Ingham County dog bite attack. We have helped injured victims throughout Michigan for more than 30 years, recovering compensation of over $500 million for our clients and their families. We have experience and a successful record handling dog bite cases including a $98,000 recovery for a case involving a 5 year old child that was seriously injured in a dog attack.

I believe Jay Trucks & Associates to be very good at what they do. The attorneys are very courteous and very good at explaining everything to their clients...

– S. Spencer

Call to set up a free legal consultation with one of our Lansing dog bite lawyers and learn how we may be able to help. If your dog bite case has merit and you retain our services, you pay us no money up front unless we first get money for you.

Contact our firm for information today:
989-254-6113989-565-9047

Is My Dog Bite Claim Eligible For Compensation?

A victim may have an eligible dog bite claim if, according to Michigan's dog bite statute, the attack was unprovoked and the victim was legally permitted to be on the property where the incident occurred. If this has happened to you, then the owner of the dog who bit you may be liable for your damages.

Proving you had a right to be on the property and that you did not provoke the attack by teasing or antagonizing the dog who bit you may be challenging. This is why we recommend that you seek legal help from a qualified attorney. He or she will need to establish that you were on the premises as either an invitee or licensee of the owner, such as if you were visiting at the invitation of the owner.

However, if you were a trespasser on someone else's property, then you likely do not have an eligible claim. There may be some rare exceptions, such as with a younger child who may not have known that they were trespassing.

At Jay Trucks and Associates, our licensed Lansing dog bite lawyers are well-versed in Michigan dog bite laws and we know how to establish whether a victim was legally permitted to be on another's property.

What Damages Can I Pursue in a Dog Bite Case?

All dog bite incidents are unique, so the type and amount of compensation available will be determined by certain factors that may have contributed to the attack, as well as the severity of your injuries.

Generally, dog bite victims may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages, such as:

  • Emergency care
  • Surgical interventions, such as plastic and reconstructive surgery
  • In-patient hospital stays
  • Physical therapy
  • Emotional counseling
  • Mental anguish
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement
  • Medical treatments for dog bite infections (such as rabies, MRSA, Streptococcus or Pasteurella)
  • Lost income if you had to stay home while healing
  • Travel to and from your doctor appointments
  • Prescription medications, such as antibiotics

While compensation will not lessen the trauma of the attack or change the fact that it happened, it could help cover the cost of your damages while you are recovering from your injuries.

Call our firm to discuss the types of damages you may be able to recover:
989-254-6113989-565-9047

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Michigan?

Michigan's statute of limitations for filing a dog bite injury claim is three years from the date of the attack. We do not recommend waiting since your attorney will need time to build a strong case on your behalf.

Additionally, there could be significant exceptions that may affect your filing deadline, so it is important to consult with an attorney to find out what time frame applies to your situation. If you miss the deadline, the court may bar you from any further attempts to pursue compensation for your damages.

Our dedicated Lansing dog bite attorneys are prepared to help you to understand the deadline that applies to your potential claim.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer?

Dog bite claims can be especially difficult to prove, especially if it is only your word against the owner's and there was no previous record of an attack.

Injured victims often recover a larger settlement with an attorney than those who pursue a claim on their own. This is because our attorneys not only handle these types of claims on a daily basis, but we are also prepared to:

  • Handle negotiations with insurance companies when they attempt to offer lowball settlements or try to devalue or deny your claim
  • Thoroughly investigate your incident, speak with eyewitnesses and gather strong evidence to support your claim
  • Counter claim if a dog owner says you provoked his or her dog and caused the attack
  • Keep you well-informed about the status of your claim
  • Answer any questions you may have about the legal process
  • Ensure all legal documents are prepared carefully and submitted in a timely manner

Our first priority is to protect your best interests and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf so that you can use your energy to focus on your recovery.

Learn more about our legal services today:
989-254-6113989-565-9047

What is a Dangerous Dog in Michigan?

In Michigan, a dangerous dog is one that either injures a person or kills or mauls another domestic animal in an unprovoked attack. The state does not determine that a dog is dangerous because it is a certain breed, that assessment is only determined by the animal's behavior.

Our Lansing dog bite attorneys encourage you to contact our firm and learn more about how we may be able to help. The legal consultation costs you nothing, and you are not further obligated to file a claim.

Important Steps Following A Dog Attack

Unprovoked dog bite attacks can happen suddenly and without warning. It may be difficult for the victim to know how to react. However, remaining calm and taking the following steps may help:

  • Create a barrier between you and the attacking dog – Get away if you can, but if it is not possible, use a coat or some other object as a physical barrier to try and protect yourself.
  • Get treated for your wounds – Always seek immediate medical treatment after a dog bite. Even small dog bites can cause serious infections, so it is imperative that you get your wounds cleaned after the incident. In addition to protecting your health, seeing a doctor will create a medical record, which can help to link your injuries to the attack should you decide to file a legal claim.
  • Report the attack – All dog bite incidents must be reported to Ingham County Animal Control. You can obtain a copy of the report later if you pursue compensation for your injuries.
  • Witness statements – If anyone saw the incident, it is a good idea to ask for their contact information and get a statement, if they are willing to provide one.
  • Take pictures – Once you can safely do so, take pictures of your injuries and any evidence at the scene, such as bloody clothes.
  • Keep medical receipts – It is important to document all medical bills and save any receipts, including the costs of traveling to and from doctor appointments.
  • Be mindful when talking with insurance company adjusters – Remember they are a for profit business, and their end goal is to limit the amount of money paid out on a claim. You can refer them to your attorney to ensure you protect the value of your claim.

Contact Our Lansing Dog Bite Lawyers To Get Started

  • If you were injured in an unprovoked attack by a dangerous dog, we encourage you to contact our Landing dog bite lawyers for legal help. We have extensive experience representing injured clients throughout Ingham County and other counties across Michigan.
  • Our successful history of recovering millions in compensation for our clients includes a $98,000 settlement for a five-year old child who suffered facial injuries in a dog bite attack.
  • Schedule your free consultation today. There is no risk to you and if you choose to move forward, there are no upfront costs to pay. You do not pay our legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Jay Trucks & Associates. Free consultation.
989-254-6113989-565-9047