Animal Injury Claims
Dog bite lawyer in Michigan
Michigan holds dog owners strictly responsible when their dog bites someone. We connect you with attorneys who handle dog bite and animal injury claims.
A dog bite can leave more than a wound. Serious bites cause scarring, nerve damage, infection, and lasting fear, and children are bitten most often and most severely. Michigan law is unusually protective of bite victims, and understanding that law is the first step to recovering for what you have been through.
We connect injured people across Michigan with attorneys who handle dog bite claims. Getting matched is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
Michigan is a strict-liability state
Many states follow a one bite rule, where an owner is only responsible if the dog had shown dangerous tendencies before. Michigan is different. Under the state's dog bite statute, an owner is liable when their dog bites you, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and the owner did nothing careless. You generally do not have to prove the owner was negligent, only that the bite happened.
What you do need to show
The statute applies when you were bitten, you were lawfully in the place where it happened, including public property and private property you were invited to, and you did not provoke the dog. Trespassing or provoking the animal can change the outcome, which is why the specific facts matter. Injuries beyond bites, such as being knocked down by a large dog, may still be pursued under ordinary negligence law.
Who pays for a dog bite claim
Compensation for a dog bite usually comes from the owner's homeowner or renter insurance rather than the owner personally. That means pursuing a claim is rarely about punishing a neighbor and more about accessing coverage that exists for exactly this situation. Damages can include medical care, future treatment for scarring, and the emotional impact of the attack.
How matching works
Tell us what happened, get matched with an experienced Michigan dog bite attorney, and get a free case review at no cost and with no obligation.
No fee unless you win
The attorneys we connect you with typically work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless they recover money for you. See our No Fee Unless You Win page for details.
Free Case Review
Bitten by a dog? Get matched fast. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Dog Bite FAQ
Michigan dog bite questions, answered
Is Michigan a strict-liability dog bite state?
Yes. Under Michigan's dog bite statute, an owner is generally liable when their dog bites you, even if the dog had never bitten before and the owner was not careless. You usually do not have to prove negligence, only that the bite occurred.
Do I have to show the dog bit someone before?
No. Unlike states with a one bite rule, Michigan does not require a prior bite. The strict-liability statute applies to the first bite as long as the other conditions are met.
What conditions must be met?
You generally must have been bitten, been lawfully present where it happened, including public places or property you were invited onto, and not provoked the dog. Trespassing or provoking the animal can affect your claim.
What if the dog knocked me down but did not bite me?
The strict-liability statute is specific to bites, but injuries from being knocked down or otherwise harmed by a dog may still be pursued under ordinary negligence. An attorney can review which theory fits your situation.
Who actually pays for a dog bite claim?
Compensation typically comes from the owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy, not the owner's personal savings. Pursuing a claim is usually about accessing that coverage.
What if a child was bitten?
Children suffer the most serious bites and often need treatment for scarring over time. Special care goes into valuing a child's future medical needs and the emotional impact, and there are protections around settlements involving minors.
How long do I have to file?
Michigan dog bite claims are generally subject to a three-year statute of limitations, with extra time often available for minors. It is best to connect with an attorney well before the deadline.
Related practice areas
Other Michigan injury claims we connect people with.
Slip & Fall
Premises liability and owner duty.
Wrongful Death
Help for families after a loss.
Catastrophic Injuries
Brain and spinal injury claims.
Michigan No-Fault
PIP benefits and the 2019 reform.
Need a lawyer in your city? Browse all Michigan service areas →
Bitten by a dog in Michigan?
Connect with an attorney who handles strict-liability dog bite claims. Free, no obligation, and no fee unless you win.