Flint Dog Bite Lawyer: Know Your Rights After a Dog Attack

Key Takeaways

If you've been bitten by a dog in Flint or Genesee County, Michigan law is on your side. An injured person can sue the dog owner for personal injuries suffered when they are bitten. As long as you did not provoke the attack and were not trespassing, you are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, scarring, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and other damages. Contact a Flint dog bite lawyer at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) for a free consultation today.

What To Do When a Flint Dog Bite Occurs

If you are attacked by a dog, it is important to follow these steps:

• Get medical treatment. Dogs carry many different bacteria that, if left untreated, can cause very dangerous infections. Visit a hospital or urgent care immediately so a medical professional can rinse and clean the wound. You should also be given an antibiotic to prevent infection.
• Get the name and address of the dog owner.
• Contact the police or animal control. The police will obtain the name and information of the dog owner and create a report that is important to use down the line. Genesee County Animal Control can also issue a ticket or citation, check to see if the dog is up to date on its shots, and make sure the dog is quarantined for the 10-day minimum period.
• Take pictures of your wounds. It will be important for a judge, jury, and the insurance company to understand just how serious the attack was. Nothing is more powerful than photos of bites and scars.
• Call an aggressive Flint dog bite lawyer. Find out your rights. Get your questions answered. This may not have been the dog's first attack. It is important to hold the dog owner accountable not only for your injuries, but for the safety of your fellow neighbors and community.

When You Report the Accident, Stick to the Basic Facts

When you contact the police, it is important to limit the information you provide to the facts you know for certain. This should include:

• Your name and contact details
• The name, address, or telephone number of the dog owner
• The date, time, and location of the dog bite attack
• Photos of the wounds and bites
• The exact details of how the dog bite attack occurred

It is important to only describe what you directly experienced. Don't be afraid to tell the police or animal control why you think the dog attacked you.

What Is the Dog Bite Law in Michigan?

The Michigan dog bite statute is MCL 287.351, which reads in part:

"If a person is bitten by a dog, without provocation while the person is …lawfully on … 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."

Under this rule, the dog owner is strictly liable for any injuries their dog causes from a dog attack, so long as the victim:

• Did not trespass on the homeowner's property
• Did not provoke the attack

What Is Provocation for a Flint Dog Bite?

Provocation is not defined by the dog bite statute. However, it has been found to be something that provokes, especially by inciting, instigating, angering, or irritating the dog. The defendant must establish the victim commenced a definitive act or actions to incite, instigate, or anger the animal, and the dog's response must be proportional to the victim's act.

This means the following is not usually considered provocation:

• Softly petting a dog
• Putting your hand out so the dog can smell you
• Walking towards or approaching a dog
• Bending down and getting into the face of a dog in a normal manner

Insurance companies and their defense attorneys will almost always assert provocation as a defense, no matter how the attack occurred. It is important to fight this defense. Do not talk to an insurance adjuster for the dog owner until you have talked to a Flint dog bite lawyer first.

What Compensation Can a Flint Dog Bite Victim Receive?

Under Michigan dog bite law, the dog bite victim is entitled to all damages arising from the attack. This includes:

• Payment for all medical bills
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Dog bite victims are also entitled to compensation for scarring, puncture wounds, and physical disfigurement that occurs because of the dog bite.

Who Pays for Injuries After a Dog Bite?

The dog owner is responsible for the injuries their dog caused following a Genesee County dog bite attack. However, homeowners' insurance usually covers these claims. This means the dog owner is protected by their homeowners' insurance policy. If the dog owner is a renter, then the dog owner's renter's insurance can pay for damages after a dog bite attack.

However, if a dog owner is uninsured, it can be difficult to obtain compensation. That is why it is important to call a Flint dog bite lawyer as quickly as possible to begin an investigation into insurance.

What if the Dog Owner Fails to Leash Their Dog?

If a dog is running around without a leash, the dog owner may be in violation of the Leash Law. Under MCL 287.262, it is illegal for a dog owner to allow their dog to stray unless the dog is used for hunting or other listed activities.

In Zeni v Anderson, 397 Mich 117, 143; 243 NW2d 270 (1976), the Michigan Supreme Court held that when a court adopts a penal statute (leash law) as the standard of care in an action for negligence, violation of that statute establishes a prima facie case of negligence. For example, if a dog runs loose and causes a child to lose control of his bicycle and fall to the pavement, a violation of the Leash Law creates a rebuttable presumption of negligence. The violation of the leash law requires the offending party to overcome a presumption of negligence.

This means a dog owner can be held accountable for a person's injuries if their dog is not on a leash and causes injuries. In this situation, the dog owner would be responsible even if no dog bite occurred. These situations are typical in "knock down" situations, where a dog knocks down a child or person.

How Do I Contact Genesee County Animal Control?

After a Flint dog bite, you should call Genesee County Animal Care:

• Phone: 810-732-1660
• Address: 4351 Pasadena Ave., Flint, MI 48504. Located next to the Genesee County Juvenile Justice Center and the District Library.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Dog Bite Case in Michigan?

There is a time limit for dog bite victims to file a lawsuit in court in a personal injury case. This is called the statute of limitations. In general, an adult victim has three (3) years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit against the proper defendants.

The statute of limitations for a minor or child is different. A child has until they turn 19 years old to file a lawsuit for personal injuries resulting from a dog bite or dog attack.

Do not wait — critical evidence such as witness testimony, surveillance footage, and animal control records can disappear quickly. Contact a Michigan personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Contact Our Flint Dog Bite Lawyers — Free Consultation

If you or somebody you know has been attacked and bitten by a dog, please call the Flint dog bite lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm. The consultation is free and there is no fee unless we win your case. Please call us at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) so we may answer your questions and get you top compensation for your injuries.