Detroit, MI Dog Bite Lawyers

There are over 2 million pet dogs in the State of Michigan. As of 2013, it was estimated that thousands of more canines roam the city as strays. Unfortunately, some of these dogs bite!

As a citizen of Detroit, you have the right to walk the streets without worrying about a vicious dog hurting you or your family. The lawyers of Mike Morse Law Firm proudly serve Wayne County residents like you, sharing information and fighting hard to get you the money you need if a dog in Detroit has bitten you.

What To Do If a Dog Bites You in Detroit, MI

Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately. Even if you aren’t bleeding much, you can still catch diseases from a dog bite.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that dogs can spread bacteria, parasites, fungus, and viruses that can make you very sick. A few dog bite pathogens can cause serious health issues if you don’t handle them immediately after you are injured:

• Rabies: This neurological disease can kill you. Michigan laws require dog owners to get their dogs vaccinated, but the vaccine only lasts a certain amount of time. Rabies vaccines need to be boostered regularly to remain effective.

  Rabies is spread by a virus, primarily passed by the saliva of infected animals. However, even a scratch could give you this dangerous disorder. So, if you have been attacked, get checked. Symptoms may appear days or months after exposure, which is too late for treatment in most cases. CDC suggests washing the wound and seeing a health care provider immediately.

• Capnocytophaga: In dogs, this bacteria is harmless. But it can make people sick, especially if they have a weakened immune system. Within 2 weeks of infection, people may experience blisters, swelling, redness, pain, fever, vomiting, and headaches. In rare cases, the person may develop a blood infection called sepsis, gangrene, or kidney failure.
• Pasteurella multocida: This name of this pathogen, present in 50 percent of dog bites, literally means “killer of many species.” It can lead to inflammation, irreparable tissue damage, amputation, and even death.

Certain medical conditions put you at a higher risk of an infection after a dog bite. Consider visiting the emergency room if you have had a mastectomy or if you have prosthetic joints. Other high risks patients include people with diabetes, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other condition that contributes to a weakened or suppressed immune system.

You should call animal control for a Michigan dog bite. File a report to make a record of what happened to you or your loved one. Later, your Animal Bite and Rabies Exposure Intake Form and other official documents will help our lawyers prove your case if you file a dog bite lawsuit.

Animal control can then investigate to see if the dog owner broke any laws for dog bites. They may seize and euthanize dangerous animals to keep the community safe from future attacks. Or, authorities may require the owner to confine the animal and obtain liability insurance to protect the public, should the animal cause harm.

Why You Deserve Compensation For a Dog Bite

The Code of Ordinances of Detroit, Michigan, protects you. Article 3 specifically addresses the issue of dangerous animals who cause injuries.

Lori Sowle, Assistant Director of Detroit’s General Services Department managing the program to report and respond to loose animals, stated: “Dog owners have a moral and legal responsibility to keep their dogs securely on their property. Dog owners must ensure their fence gates are properly tethered, meaning a bar or chain is in place to keep the fence gate properly enclosed. Pet owners are also responsible for keeping their dogs on a leash and or collar, especially in public spaces.”

Failure to follow these regulations is negligence. Even if a dog has never bitten anyone before, the owner is responsible for their pet’s actions.

Our Detroit dog bite lawyers can go the distance with you. We can fight to get you reimbursement for medical bills, resources for post-trauma symptoms, and money for your pain and suffering. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Detroit personal injury lawyers of Mike Morse Law Firm are ready to listen to your story and tell you how you can put our expertise to work for you.

Why Hire a Detroit Dog Bite Lawyer

Why should you get a lawyer after a dog bite injury? Let’s discuss why getting professional legal advice is the best course of action.

To get every penny you deserve

Did you know that our dog bite lawyers in Detroit have won a total of over 7 million dollars on behalf of dog bite victims over the past 20 years? If you want to make sure you get the maximum amount for your injuries, we can fight for you too.

If you are offered a settlement, how do you know you are not being shortchanged? Our experienced Detroit dog bite attorneys can review your case to make sure you get what is fair.

To keep the most vulnerable ones safe

Half of dog bite victims are under 12 years of age. According to statistics compiled by the CDC, in a single recent year, there were over 35,000 dog bite accidents involving preteens.

People older than 70 years of age make up another 10 percent of dog bite victims. Unfortunately, they also comprise about 20 percent of those killed in dog bite attacks.

You can try to protect your precious loved ones alone, or you can get invaluable help from the lawyers of Michigan’s largest personal injury law firm. Make the smart choice. Call 855-Mike-Wins today to schedule a free consultation.

To hold offenders responsible

According to the Animal Humane Society, socialization, training, and supervision can affect dog aggression. There are many measures dog owners can take to keep people safe around their pets.

For example, dog owners may keep a muzzle on their dog during walks. Or they may decide to keep the dog leashed or isolated from people who are not family members. Allowing an aggressive dog to roam free is never a good idea.

Field interviews of Detroit residents reveal “constant fear” of dogs that have been trained to fight in animal fights. In the article, a gang analyst pointed out why young children are in particular danger around fighter dogs: These animals don’t see “kids,” but instead “prey.”

Hiring a lawyer shows you are serious about keeping your loved ones safe from vicious, untrained, or uncontrollable dogs.

To treat all injuries from your dog bite

Health insurance may cover basic examinations and medical care for a dog bite injury yet may deny claims for some other outstanding damages. These may include the following types of expenses:

• Restorative or cosmetic surgery:

  Serious dog bite injuries could leave permanent scars. British researchers found dogs tended to bite children on the lips, nose, or cheeks.

  According to Cigna, a medical insurance company, plans rarely cover the costs of cosmetic surgery procedures. So, unless the dog bite victim can afford to pay out of pocket, he or she could suffer the stigma of disfigurement for the rest of his or her life.

• Psychological therapy: After being bitten by a dog, do you think your child will be able to play around dogs without fear? Or if you were the victim, could you stand reliving the moment of the dog attack again and again in your mind long after you have recovered from your physical injuries? Even if medical insurance does cover your mental health, you may still struggle to meet the high costs of deductibles or copays.
• Lifestyle changes: If a dog bites you, you may not be able to do everything you did before the attack. You may experience permanent nerve damage, loss of mobility, or simply lose the love you once had for dogs. The personal injury lawyers of Mike Morse Law Firm can use Detroit laws on dog bites to support your dog bite claim for additional damages.

Why not let our capable dog bite attorneys fight to get you back what you have lost? You may deserve more than medical expenses. Call our lawyers toll-free at (855) 645-3945 to discuss your injuries and learn all your options.