Responsibility for the behavior – and any aggressive actions such as dog bites – usually lie with the dog owner, though in some cases the property owner may also be liable. If you have been attacked by a dog in Oakland County and have suffered a personal injury, then you want a law firm representing you who has experience with this legal issue and who has pursued claims on behalf of dog bite victims in the past.
Under Michigan Law, there are strict guidelines for dealing with this sort of case. There are three main rules to observe:
The State of Michigan is a strict liability state. What this means is that a dog owner cannot deny liability on the basis that they did not think their animal would bite someone.
While in the majority of cases, the animal’s owner will be the liable party, a property owner may be held liable if a dog is kept on their property – for example, in rented units – and the property owner knew that the dog had a propensity to bite people.
It is worth noting that a claim may also be pursued in incidents where another dog has attacked and injured your animal.
Michigan has seen drastic reductions in the level of home insurance in recent years, with many homeowners now only having damage and fire insurance. If your dog has a previous history of biting behavior – or after it bites for the first time – an insurance company may raise premiums or put a dog bite waiver on your policy.
Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. have been representing clients in dog bite cases for many years. Our firm represents clients in Farmington Hills, Wayne County, and Macomb County and we try and ensure that clients obtain a positive outcome. Our experience in practicing law in this area will stand you in good stead in any claim. We offer a free initial consultation that you can book now by calling toll free at 1-866-308-6261.
