Dog bites can be sudden, traumatic, and life-changing. One moment you’re walking through your neighborhood, visiting a friend, or just passing by and the next, you’re in pain, bleeding, and unsure of what to do. Michigan sees over 1,000 reported dog bite injuries every year and many victims are left dealing with painful wounds, permanent scars, or emotional trauma. If this happened to you or someone you love, you’re not alone and you may be entitled to compensation under Michigan’s dog bite laws. Our job is to help you understand your rights and fight to recover everything you’re owed.
Why the Lawyer You Choose Can Make or Break Your Case
Dog bite claims aren’t just about filling out paperwork or waiting for an insurance check. They’re about holding a negligent dog owner accountable, proving damages, and negotiating with insurance companies that are trained to deny or devalue your claim. That’s why your choice of lawyer matters more than most people realize.
At many big-name personal injury firms, you’ll meet with a lawyer once and then get passed off to a case manager or junior associate. Your calls go unanswered. Your case moves slowly. And the insurance company knows the firm on the other side isn’t really prepared to go to trial. That can hurt your leverage and your final payout.
At The Clark Law Office, we do things differently. When you hire us, you work directly with Matthew R. Clark, a trial-tested personal injury attorney with a track record of taking on tough cases and winning. We don’t cut corners, we don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t settle unless it’s the right move for your future. Our personalized, aggressive approach is designed to maximize your results, not our case volume. If you’re comparing law firms, here’s what really matters:
⚖️ Feature | ✅ The Clark Law Office | ❌ Big Injury Firms |
---|---|---|
Work directly with your attorney | ✅ | ❌ |
Trial-ready case strategy from day one | ✅ | ❌ |
No call centers or case managers | ✅ | ❌ |
Custom legal strategy—not a cookie-cutter approach | ✅ | ❌ |
Focus on quality, not volume | ✅ | ❌ |
💡 Clark Insight: No two dog bite cases are the same, and neither is our approach. When you work with The Clark Law Office, you get more than just legal representation. You get a lawyer who actually listens, understands what you’re going through, and builds a strategy around your specific situation. That kind of personal attention can make all the difference in how your case turns out.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Michigan (And Why It Matters)
The hours and days after a dog bite can be overwhelming. You may be in pain, unsure if the injury is serious, and reluctant to cause trouble especially if the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or relative. But taking the right steps early on can make or break your case. Medical documentation, official reports, and preserving evidence all play a critical role in protecting your health and your legal rights. Here’s what to do immediately after a dog bite injury:
✅ Step | 🛠️ What to Do | 📌 Why It Matters |
---|---|---|
1️⃣ | Get medical treatment | Even minor bites can lead to infection. Medical records also document the severity of your injuries. |
2️⃣ | Report the bite to animal control or the police | Creates an official record and may trigger an investigation—especially if the dog is a repeat offender. |
3️⃣ | Identify the dog and its owner | Essential for pursuing a claim or lawsuit. Without this, liability becomes harder to prove. |
4️⃣ | Take photos of your injuries and the scene | Visual evidence helps establish the extent of your injuries and may be used during settlement negotiations. |
5️⃣ | Speak with a dog bite lawyer early | Early legal advice helps avoid common mistakes and protects your right to compensation from the beginning. |
💡 Clark Insight: It’s easy to second-guess yourself after a dog bite, especially if the injury doesn’t seem serious at first. But even minor wounds can worsen over time or leave lasting scars. Getting checked out, reporting the incident, and documenting everything may seem small in the moment, but they can make a major difference later when it’s time to prove your case.
Common Mistakes That Can Ruin a Dog Bite Claim
Even strong dog bite cases can fall apart because of simple, avoidable mistakes. Insurance companies are trained to use your actions or in-actions against you. Whether it’s delaying medical treatment, trusting the wrong people, or posting the wrong thing online, these slip-ups can cost you thousands or even cause your claim to be denied entirely. The good news? Every one of these mistakes can be avoided with the right guidance from an experienced dog bite lawyer. Here’s what to watch out for:
❌ Mistake | ✅ Better Choice |
---|---|
🕒 Waiting to get medical care | Get treated immediately—even for minor bites |
📞 Talking to the insurance company on your own | Let your attorney handle all communication |
📱 Posting about the bite on social media | Stay offline or keep your profiles private |
✍️ Accepting a quick settlement offer | Have a lawyer review it before signing anything |
📓 Failing to document symptoms or emotional impact | Keep a simple journal or notes about how the injury affects your daily life |
🤷 Assuming the injury isn’t serious enough to pursue a claim | Always get a legal opinion before deciding |
💡 Clark Insight: We’ve seen too many cases where someone “didn’t want to make a big deal” only to find out later that their medical bills piled up and the dog owner refused to take responsibility. Don’t assume the system will treat you fairly. A few early decisions can protect your rights and prevent major regrets down the road.
Who’s Responsible for a Dog Bite in Michigan?
Michigan is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. Under the Michigan dog bite statute, a dog owner is legally responsible for any injuries their dog causes even if the dog has never bitten anyone before, and even if the owner claims they didn’t know the dog was dangerous. There’s no “one free bite” rule in Michigan. If a dog bites you, the owner is usually on the hook. That said, proving liability still requires evidence, especially if the dog wasn’t on a leash, was off its property, or the bite occurred in a gray area like an apartment complex or rental property. In some cases, other parties may also share responsibility:
- Landlords who knowingly allow dangerous dogs on their property
- Property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions (like broken fences)
- Employers if the bite happened while you were on the job
Dog bite claims are typically paid through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not out of pocket. But insurers fight hard to avoid paying or they’ll offer far less than what your dog bite case worth.
💡 Clark Insight: Just because the law favors dog bite victims doesn’t mean getting compensated is easy. Insurance companies may try to blame you, deny liability, or say the injury “isn’t that serious.” Our job is to cut through the excuses and prove exactly who’s responsible so you don’t get left with the bill.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Dog Attack?
A dog bite attack can leave more than just physical wounds. Between medical bills, missed work, and emotional trauma, the impact can last long after the initial injury heals. That’s why Michigan law allows dog bite victims to recover a wide range of damages not just out-of-pocket costs. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries and how those injuries affect your life. Scars, surgeries, nerve damage, trauma in children, and long-term disability all increase the amount of compensation you may be entitled to. But the key to a strong recovery is showing the full picture, not just what the ER bill says. To help you understand what may be available in your case, here’s a breakdown of the most common types of compensation we pursue for dog bite victims in Michigan:
💵 Type of Compensation | 📋 Examples |
---|---|
🏥 Medical Expenses | ER visits, wound care, follow-up treatment, plastic surgery, therapy |
💼 Lost Wages | Time missed from work, reduced hours, job loss due to the injury |
😣 Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, embarrassment from scarring |
📉 Future Costs | Ongoing care, future surgeries, counseling, permanent impairment |
🧾 Out-of-Pocket Expenses | Transportation, wound dressings, over-the-counter supplies |
👨👩👧 Impact on Family | Loss of companionship, disruption to household routines (especially in child cases) |
💡 Clark Insight: Insurance companies rarely account for the full impact of a dog bite especially when it comes to long-term care, trauma, or emotional scars. Our job is to document every detail, from visible injuries to hidden costs, so you get paid for what you’ve truly lost, not just what’s easy to calculate.
Explore Our Legal Guides for Michigan Dog Bite Victims
Every dog bite case is different. Some involve severe injuries that require months of treatment. Others hinge on proving negligence or finding out if the dog owner has insurance. Many people simply want to know what their case is worth or whether they even have one. To make things easier, we’ve created a set of focused legal guides that walk you through the most important parts of the process from proving liability and calculating damages to understanding Michigan’s dog bite laws. Wherever you are in your case, these guides are a great place to start:
- Dog Bite Injury Claims Guide
Learn how Michigan’s strict liability law works, how to file a claim, what deadlines apply, and how to avoid early mistakes that could hurt your case. - Common Dog Bite Injuries Guide
Explore how injuries like scarring, nerve damage, and infections affect your claim and why documentation matters. - Dog Bite Compensation & Settlement Guide
Understand what damages you can recover, how settlements are calculated, and what impacts case value. - Dog Bite Liability & Legal Responsibility Guide
See how leash laws, owner negligence, landlord rules, and other legal factors determine who’s responsible for your injuries. - Where Dog Bites Happen: Situations & Locations Guide
Whether the bite happened at a park, on private property, at work, or in an apartment complex, this guide explains how location affects your legal strategy. - Dog Bite Resources, Laws & Prevention Guide
Browse Michigan dog bite statistics, learn how to report a bite, and get prevention tips to help protect your family and community.
Each guide is written with real Michigan victims in mind. No fluff, no legal jargon. Just straightforward, practical information designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Why Dog Bite Victims Across Michigan Trust The Clark Law Office
Dog bite cases can be personal, emotional, and frustrating especially when the insurance company downplays your injuries or tries to shift the blame. That’s why who you hire matters. At The Clark Law Office, we’re not interested in fast settlements or high-volume caseloads. We focus on one thing: getting real results for real people across Michigan. When you hire us, you don’t deal with intake reps, paralegals, or call centers. You work directly with Matthew R. Clark, a dog bite attorney who handles your case from start to finish. Whether your injuries are moderate or severe, we’ll give your case the attention it deserves because that’s the only way to maximize its value.
A Proven Track Record of Results
We’ve helped clients across the state recover compensation for serious dog bite injuries, including:
$275,000 settlement for a young woman attacked by a neighbor’s dog, resulting in facial scarring and emotional trauma
$150,000 settlement for a delivery driver bitten on the job and unable to return to work for several months
These outcomes weren’t luck. They were the result of strategy, preparation, and a firm that fights for what’s fair.
💡 Clark Insight: Every dog bite case is different, and so is every client. Some people need help with medical bills. Others are dealing with trauma or lost income. That’s why we take the time to understand your goals, not just your injuries, so we can build a case that works for you.
Let’s Talk. Real Legal Help. No Pressure.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to reach out. Maybe the insurance company already made you an offer. Maybe you’re not sure how serious your injuries are. Or maybe you just want to know if you even have a case. That’s exactly why we’re here. At The Clark Law Office, we offer free, no-obligation case reviews for anyone injured by a dog in Michigan. When you call, you’ll speak directly with attorney Matthew R. Clark, not a call center or case manager. We’ll answer your questions, explain your options, and give you the honest advice you deserve. If you decide to move forward, you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. You’ve been through enough. Let us take it from here. Call us today or schedule your free consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Dog Bite Claims
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Michigan?
You generally have three years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government agency is involved or the bite victim is a child, shorter or different timelines may apply.
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite claim?
You’re not legally required to have one, but an experienced dog bite lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes, prove liability, and recover the full compensation you deserve.
What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
It doesn’t matter. Under Michigan’s strict liability law, the dog’s bite history is irrelevant—the owner is still responsible if the attack was unprovoked.
Does the dog owner pay out of pocket?
In most cases, compensation comes from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not their personal bank account.
What if the bite happened at someone’s house I know?
It’s very common for dog bite cases to involve friends or relatives. That’s why insurance exists—to cover situations like these without putting personal relationships on the line.
How much is my dog bite case worth?
That depends on your injuries, medical costs, scarring, lost wages, and long-term impact. Some cases are worth a few thousand dollars—others can reach six figures or more.
Will I have to go to court?
Probably not. Most dog bite cases settle out of court, especially when the evidence is strong. But we prepare every case like it could go to trial—just in case.
What if I was partially at fault or provoked the dog?
If the dog was provoked or you were trespassing, the owner might not be liable. That said, many “provocation” claims are exaggerated or false, so it’s best to speak with an attorney.
Can I get compensation if my child was bitten?
Yes. In fact, dog bite claims involving children are often taken even more seriously due to the potential for lasting physical and emotional trauma.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing up front. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.