A dog bite can be a traumatic and sometimes very dangerous life-altering event causing serious harm and/or injury to an individual.
If a dog bites a person, without provocation while the person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner of the dog, the owner of the dog shall be liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. – Michigan Law 287.351
As Michigan law states: regardless of any known “former viciousness” the owner of the dog is responsible. Unless the injured person(s); provoked the injury from the dog, was trespassing, breaking the law (criminal act), was careless in nature thus contributing to the injury.
Under Michigan’s “no-dog bite statute” liability is imposed without fault – thus, an injured person may not need to prove the owner did anything wrong. Despite a dog’s once “good behavior” behavior an attack such statute hold a ‘zero tolerance’ rule.
Was the Dog Provoked?
A dog owner maybe able to successfully defend a lawsuit if one can prove the injured person provoked the dog {pulling of the tail, hitting, or teasing}.
Was the Injured Person Aware of the Risk?
Were there “Beware of Dog” signs present on the premises? Was the injured person(s) working in a professional field of interest that requires daily interaction with a canines; i.e. groomer, kennel, or veterinarian?
Was the Injured Person Trespassing, Careless, or Breaking the Law?
In most cases a trespasser is anyone who is present on the property that wasn’t invited.
Every ‘dog bite’ claim typically requires two key pieces of evidence:
- Identification of whom the dog owner is and,
- Having physical proof that an injury be it physical and/or emotional has in fact occurred.
Now, is the time to get your bones in a row…
- Have you suffered an injury due to a dog, or has a loved one been affected by a dog attack, then Richard J. Corriveau Law can help. Let us go to work for you!
- Maybe you are the dog owner being wrongfully accused of personal injury caused by your dog? Know your rights ~ don’t get bitten by the law; contact Richard J. Corriveau Law today!
In speaking to one of our attorneys, you will get the help you need from evaluating your claim, to counseling you through this difficult time. Call us at 248-380-0023.