Dog bite injuries can leave more than just physical wounds. Victims often suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, and long-lasting pain that affects their daily lives. While medical bills are easy to document, the real impact of a dog attack often goes far deeper. In Michigan, you may be entitled to compensation for these non-economic damages commonly referred to as “pain and suffering.” This guide breaks down what qualifies, how it’s calculated, and how to make sure you’re fully compensated for everything you’ve been through.
Understand What Pain and Suffering Means in a Dog Bite Claim
In a dog bite claim, “pain and suffering” refers to the non-economic damages you experience that don’t come with a receipt or invoice. These damages include the physical discomfort of your injuries, the emotional distress caused by the attack, and the lasting impact on your daily life and well-being. Unlike medical bills or lost wages, pain and suffering is subjective. It looks different for every person. For example, a bite on the leg might heal quickly for one person, while another may develop nerve damage or experience debilitating fear of dogs. The law recognizes that victims deserve compensation for these invisible but very real consequences. In Michigan, pain and suffering damages are often a major part of dog bite settlements, especially in cases involving:
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Ongoing pain or nerve damage
- Trauma, anxiety, or PTSD
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Types of Pain and Suffering You Can Be Compensated For
Pain and suffering doesn’t just mean physical pain. Michigan law allows dog bite victims to recover compensation for a wide range of non-economic damages that impact their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. These damages can vary greatly based on the severity of the bite, the victim’s age, and the long-term effects. Some common types of pain and suffering include:
| 💥 Type of Harm | 📝 Description | 📌 Where It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| 😖 Physical Pain | Persistent aches, sharp pain, or nerve damage | Bite sites, joints, or sensitive areas |
| 💔 Emotional Distress | Anxiety, panic attacks, fear of animals | Especially common in children and teens |
| 😔 Shame or Embarrassment | Self-consciousness due to scarring or disfigurement | Face, arms, or other visible areas |
| 🛌 Sleep Disturbances | Nightmares, insomnia, or recurring flashbacks | Trauma-related injuries |
| 🧍♂️ Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Inability to enjoy hobbies, activities, or normal routines | Sports, outdoor activities, social engagement |
| 😞 Depression or Isolation | Withdrawal from relationships or daily life | Often tied to both physical and emotional scars |
Insurance companies often overlook these damages unless you present clear evidence of how your life has been affected. That’s why understanding how to document pain and suffering is just as important as proving your medical bills.
How Pain and Suffering Is Calculated in Michigan
Unlike medical expenses or lost income, pain and suffering damages don’t have a fixed price tag. In Michigan, there’s no universal formula to calculate non-economic damages in dog bite cases. Instead, the value depends on a mix of legal precedent, case facts, and how clearly your suffering can be demonstrated. Two common approaches are often used during negotiations or trial:
- The Multiplier Method – This involves multiplying your total economic damages (like medical bills) by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries. For example, if your medical costs were $20,000 and a multiplier of 3 is used, your pain and suffering would be valued at $60,000.
- The Per Diem Method – This assigns a daily dollar amount to your pain and suffering, multiplied by the number of days you’re expected to suffer. For instance, $200/day for 180 days would result in $36,000 in non-economic damages.
Keep in mind: insurance companies often use their own internal formulas that undervalue pain and suffering. They may ignore emotional trauma, downplay scarring, or apply low multipliers. That’s why it’s important to build a strong case and push back if the offer doesn’t reflect the true impact of your injuries.
Evidence That Supports a Pain and Suffering Claim
Because pain and suffering is subjective, you’ll need solid documentation to show how the dog bite has affected your life. The stronger your evidence, the more likely it is that an insurance adjuster, judge, or jury will take your non-economic damages seriously. You don’t need a mountain of paperwork, but you do need the right kinds of proof. Think beyond medical bills and focus on how your injuries changed your routine, your mindset, and your quality of life. Below are some of the most effective types of evidence you can use to support your pain and suffering claim:
| 📄 Type of Evidence | 💬 What It Shows | 🧠 Tips for Use |
|---|---|---|
| 📚 Medical Records | Document physical injuries and treatment timeline | Be sure they note pain levels and prognosis |
| 📝 Personal Journal | Details daily pain, emotional struggles, and limitations | Start documenting ASAP after the incident |
| 📸 Photos | Show wounds, scars, and stages of healing | Take clear, dated images throughout recovery |
| 👨⚕️ Mental Health Reports | Prove trauma, anxiety, or depression caused by the bite | Ask providers to connect it directly to incident |
| 👪 Witness Statements | Validate how your behavior, mood, or lifestyle changed | Family and friends can provide credible insight |
| 🧾 Missed Work/Activities Log | Shows loss of enjoyment or daily routine disruptions | Track missed events, hobbies, or social outings |
The more specific and consistent your documentation, the harder it is for insurers to argue that your pain and suffering is “minor” or “unverified.”
How Scarring and Disfigurement Affect Compensation
Scarring and disfigurement are some of the most impactful injuries a dog bite victim can suffer especially when they occur on visible areas like the face, hands, or legs. In Michigan, these lasting physical changes often increase the value of a pain and suffering claim significantly. That’s because scars don’t just cause discomfort. They can affect a person’s self-esteem, emotional health, social interactions, and even career opportunities. This is especially true for children and young adults, who may face lifelong emotional trauma from the physical reminders of the attack. Key factors that can increase compensation for scarring and disfigurement include:
- The size, location, and visibility of the scar
- Whether the injury is permanent
- Whether plastic or reconstructive surgery is needed
- The emotional and psychological effect on the victim
- The age and gender of the person injured (often relevant in jury awards)
If you or your child has suffered visible scarring, it’s essential to document the healing process with photographs, medical records, and surgeon reports. In many cases, expert testimony from a plastic surgeon or mental health professional can also strengthen your claim.
Why Emotional Trauma Is Just as Important as Physical Pain
Dog bites can leave deep emotional scars that are just as painful and sometimes even more lasting than physical injuries. Victims may develop a fear of dogs, suffer from anxiety in public spaces, or relive the attack through nightmares and flashbacks. These psychological effects are very real, and Michigan law allows you to recover compensation for them. Emotional trauma is especially common in children, who may not be able to express their fears but still suffer from intense stress, behavioral changes, or developmental setbacks. Adults may also experience serious mental health effects, particularly if the attack was violent or disfiguring. Here are some common emotional effects that can strengthen your pain and suffering claim:
| 🧠 Emotional Effect | 💬 Description | 👤 Common in... |
|---|---|---|
| 🐶 Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs) | Intense, persistent fear of dogs | Children and adults alike |
| 😟 Anxiety | Ongoing nervousness, panic attacks, or fear of going outside | Victims with public or outdoor trauma |
| 😴 Nightmares | Recurrent bad dreams or flashbacks of the attack | Often seen in children |
| 😢 Depression | Sadness, hopelessness, or withdrawal from daily activities | Long-term injuries or visible scarring |
| 🤐 Social Withdrawal | Avoiding people, school, or work due to fear or embarrassment | Victims with facial injuries or PTSD |
| 🛌 Sleep Disturbances | Trouble falling or staying asleep | Common after traumatic events |
These symptoms might not show up right away, but they can be debilitating. Make sure to talk to a therapist or counselor if you or your child is struggling. Their evaluations can be critical to proving the true emotional toll of the incident.
Maximize Your Settlement with Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer
Insurance companies often minimize pain and suffering because it’s harder to quantify than medical bills. They may offer low settlements that ignore the emotional and psychological toll of the attack especially if you don’t have an experienced advocate on your side. An attorney for dog bite victims knows how to document and present non-economic damages in a way that insurance companies and juries take seriously. From highlighting permanent scars to gathering expert testimony from doctors and therapists, a skilled attorney can make sure every aspect of your suffering is recognized and valued. Here’s how a lawyer can help maximize your pain and suffering compensation:
- Gather and organize compelling evidence like journals, photos, and expert reports
- Calculate the full value of your claim, including future emotional and physical harm
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance adjusters trained to downplay your suffering
- Take your case to court, if necessary, to fight for a fair result
When pain and suffering is a major part of your claim as it often is in dog bite cases, you need someone who knows how to make your story count. Don’t let an insurance company decide what your trauma is worth. Explore how non-economic damages like pain and trauma are factored into claims in our compensation and settlement guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pain and Suffering in Dog Bite Cases
What qualifies as pain and suffering in a dog bite claim?
Pain and suffering includes physical pain, emotional trauma, scarring, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and loss of enjoyment of life after the attack.
Can I get compensation for emotional distress even if my injuries healed?
Yes. If the dog bite caused mental or emotional harm—like PTSD, panic attacks, or fear of dogs—you can still recover pain and suffering damages.
How is pain and suffering calculated in Michigan?
There’s no set formula. It’s often based on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, how your life was affected, and the strength of your supporting evidence.
Do scars increase the value of a dog bite claim?
Absolutely. Visible or permanent scarring—especially on the face—can significantly increase your pain and suffering compensation.
What kind of proof do I need for a pain and suffering claim?
Journals, therapy notes, photos, witness statements, and medical records all help show how your life changed after the attack.
Do I need a lawyer to recover pain and suffering damages?
It’s not required, but highly recommended. Insurance companies often undervalue non-economic damages, and a lawyer can help fight for full compensation.