People love dogs and they are a popular house pet all across the United States. If we divided the total number of pet dogs with the number of families residing in Michigan, we would get an average of 1-2 dogs per home. Dogs come in different shapes, sizes, and personalities; some breeds are very docile and some tend to be somewhat aggressive. Despite being highly sociable animals, dogs can be violent under unusual circumstances. Their sharp teeth and claws pose a potential threat to children and adults alike. Dogs never attack humans without reason, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious around them.
Dogs can get anxious around unfamiliar people, and act defensively if their gestures seem invasive or intimidating. Almost 4 million people in the U.S incur dog bite injuries every year and nearly a quarter of them need medical attention. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries from a pet dog in the neighborhood, Michigan Personal Injury Attorney can help acquire financial compensation from its owner.
How bad can a Dog Bite be?
Depending on the number of bites and how far the dog sinks its teeth, an attack can be innocuous or lethal. You may consider yourself lucky if you didn’t bleed; nonetheless, you should get checked by a medical professional just to be sure. The pain may subside quickly and the bitten area may not look that bad, yet do not assume that you are out of the danger zone. If your skin was punctured and there was blood loss, chances are that you have contracted germs or infective agents from the animal. The dog could be a carrier of multiple infectious microbes in a dormant state. These microbes may activate in your blood stream and make you sick.
Dog bite injuries have different levels. Level 1 & 2 bite injuries are limited to scratches, light bruising, and redness. In most cases, medical attention is not necessary and there are no long-term consequences; therefore, the victim may not qualify for a personal injury claim. Level 3 and 4 bites are comparatively severe, as the victim incurs deep wounds and is susceptible to infection. These attacks are more dangerous for children and timely medical treatment is important.
Level five bites are life threatening, as they include heavy blood loss and fatal injuries; loss of limb and disfigurement are possible outcomes. The victim would require prolonged intensive care, stitches, and perhaps surgery to recover. Death by dog attack is rare, but it can happen; in this case, victim has suffered level six bites and his/her family can file a wrongful death claim.
General Requirements for filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim
In order to qualify for a dog bite injury claim, you need to fulfill these three basic conditions:
- You were attacked by a dog and the resulting injuries were serious enough to seek medical attention.
- The dog attacked you on public or private property where you were lawfully present.
- You did not assault or intentionally provoke the dog in any way.
Michigan has strict laws against animal abuse and pet keeping. A dog attack would be justified if you were intruding or trespassing its owner’s property. On the other hand, the dog owner should be aware of the animal’s temperament and implement safety measures accordingly. If the owner knows that the dog has violent tendencies, it should be tamed, trained, and/or confined to prevent it from hurting others. If a dog has attacked multiple people in the past, law enforcement may issue orders to put it down. If the dog owner proves that you deliberately aggravated the dog or approached it despite clear warning, your claim will be denied.
