Every day, almost 2,200 people are rushed for medical treatment or to the emergency room after being bitten by a dog. About half of those bite victims are children. As a result of a vicious attack by a dog, 34 people died in 2015.
There are between 70-80 million dogs in the U.S., so obviously vicious dogs represent only a tiny fraction of the dog population. However, that is completely irrelevant to anyone who has been traumatized or worse by a dog attack. Every Dog Bite Attorney in Grand Haven is familiar with the tremendous distress suffered by both the bite victims and their families.
Michigan’s Statute of Limitations
Many people aren’t sure if they want to file a lawsuit and that’s perfectly understandable. The law recognizes that, in most instances, dog bite victims do have a right to compensation for their injuries. Anyone who has been bitten has three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. After that, the court will almost certainly refuse to hear the case.
The Dog Bite Law
In some states, dogs effectively have one free bite. Michigan’s dog bite law is less lenient. A dog’s owner is strictly liable if their dog bites a person, even if the dog had never before been aggressive.
There are two defenses that a dog owner could argue:
- The dog was provoked
- The bite victim was trespassing or on the property to do something that was criminal or against the law
If someone was injured by a dog in some way other than a bite, the dog bite law does not apply. For example, if an unleashed dog jumped upon someone in the street, knocking them down and causing an injury, the owner of the dog could be held liable because they were negligent by not controlling their dog.
Landlords and Tenants
If a tenant’s dog bites someone, the landlord could be sued. In one case, a six-year-old was attacked by the tenant’s dog when the child ran into the yard after his ball. The court said that if the landlord knew the dog was aggressive, he could be held liable.
If you have been bitten by a dog, call the Bleakley Law Offices P C. This experienced Dog Bite Attorney in Grand Haven will fight for the compensation that you are entitled to. Call today to request a free consultation to discuss your case.
