A dog attack happens without warning. One moment everything is normal, and the next you are dealing with serious wounds, shock, and the unsettling reality that an animal you may have never even perceived as a threat has changed your life. Whether it was a neighbor's dog, a family friend's pet, or a stranger's animal, the physical and emotional impact of a dog bite can be significant and lasting.
Many victims hesitate to pursue a legal claim. What most people do not realize is that Michigan's dog bite law is among the strongest in the country, and that in the vast majority of cases, it is the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance that pays the claim, not the owner out of pocket. Pursuing your rights is not an attack on someone's personal finances. It is holding an insurance company to an obligation it has already agreed to cover.
At Hamo Law Firm, we handle dog bite cases with the same combination of compassion and determination that defines everything we do. We understand the unique dynamics these cases involve, and we know how to navigate them on your behalf. If a dog attacked you or someone you love, you have strong legal rights in Michigan, and we are ready to help you use them.
Michigan's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Michigan is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, and that distinction matters enormously for victims. Under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 287.351, a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog biting another person regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before or shown any prior sign of aggression.
This means there is no "one free bite" rule in Michigan. In many states, a dog owner can avoid liability the first time their dog bites someone by arguing they had no reason to know the dog was dangerous. Michigan law does not allow that defense.
To recover under Michigan's strict liability statute, a victim generally needs to establish three things:
- The dog bit them and caused injury
- The victim was in a public place or was lawfully on private property at the time of the bite
- The victim did not provoke the dog
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Michigan?
In most cases, liability falls squarely on the dog's owner. Michigan's strict liability statute refers specifically to the owner of the dog, but liability can extend further depending on the circumstances.
- The dog's owner is the primary responsible party in virtually every bite case, regardless of whether they were present when the bite occurred
- A person harboring or keeping the dog may also face liability if they had custody or control of the animal at the time of the attack, even if they do not technically own the dog
- Landlords can be held liable in certain circumstances where they knew a dangerous dog was present on the property and failed to take action to protect other tenants or visitors
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Michigan's strong dog bite law supports significant compensation for victims, and a thorough claim accounts for every category of harm the attack has caused. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, wound care, surgery, reconstructive procedures, physical therapy, and all future medical costs related to your injuries
- Lost wages for the time you are unable to work during your recovery
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries, scarring, or psychological trauma have a lasting impact on your professional life
- Pain and suffering, including the physical pain of the injuries and the emotional distress of surviving a traumatic attack
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement, which Michigan courts recognize as a distinct and significant category of damages, particularly when the scarring is visible or located on the face
- Psychiatric and psychological treatment costs for PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and related conditions that develop as a result of the attack
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members when a dog attack results in the loss of a life
Why Choose Hamo Law for Your Dog Bite Case
We Understand the Personal Dynamics of These Cases
Dog bite cases often involve people who know each other. We handle these situations with sensitivity and discretion, and we take care to help clients understand that pursuing their rights through an insurance claim is both legally appropriate and practically different from a personal confrontation with someone they care about.
Michigan's Strict Liability Law Is Powerful and We Know How to Use It
The combination of Michigan's strict liability statute and the typical availability of homeowner's or renter's insurance coverage means that many dog bite victims have a strong, viable claim from the moment they walk through our door. We know this law inside and out, we know what it takes to document and prove a claim effectively, and we know how to maximize the value of your recovery.
We Handle the Insurance Company So You Do Not Have To
Insurance adjusters assigned to dog bite claims are experienced at minimizing settlements and shifting blame to the victim. We deal with them directly so you can focus on healing. You will not be pressured into accepting a quick, lowball offer, and you will not be caught off guard by tactics designed to reduce what you are owed.
Over 40 Years of Michigan Personal Injury Experience
Hamo Law has been fighting for injured Michigan residents since 1981. We bring that depth of experience to every case we take, and our clients benefit from decades of relationships with medical experts, knowledge of the courts, and a track record that insurance companies recognize and respect.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no cost to calling us and no financial risk to getting experienced representation on your side right away.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Michigan
The steps you take immediately after a dog bite can have a meaningful impact on your recovery and on the strength of your legal claim. Here is what we advise:
- Get medical treatment immediately, even if the wound looks minor. Dog bites carry a significant infection risk, and prompt treatment both protects your health and creates a medical record that documents the injury from the start.
- Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner's name, address, and contact information. Ask whether the dog's rabies vaccinations are current and request documentation if possible.
- Report the bite to local animal control. An official report creates a record of the incident and may trigger an investigation into the dog's history and vaccination status.
- Photograph your injuries immediately and in the days that follow. Wounds often look more severe in the days after the attack as bruising and swelling develop. Ongoing documentation tells the full story of what you went through.
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the attack or the circumstances leading up to it.
- Keep records of all medical treatment, including bills, prescriptions, follow-up appointments, and any referrals to specialists.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. These statements are used to find grounds for reducing or denying your claim.
- Contact Hamo Law before accepting any settlement offer. Initial offers from insurance companies rarely reflect the full value of a dog bite claim, particularly when scarring, psychological trauma, or ongoing treatment are involved.
Michigan Law Gives You Strong Rights. We Make Sure You Use Them.
Michigan's strict liability dog bite statute is one of the strongest victim-protection laws in the country. You do not need to prove negligence. You do not need a history of prior bites. You need an attorney who knows the law and knows how to maximize what it can do for you. At Hamo Law, that is exactly what we provide.
Consultations are free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call us today at 810-234-3667, email us at ahamo@hamolaw.com, or visit our office at 614 S. Grand Traverse Street, Flint, Michigan 48502. You can also fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly.
Relentless Advocacy. Compassionate Counsel.
