Detroit Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bite Attorney in Detroit, MI

Dogs are largely pleasant, fun, enjoyable animals that are part of the family. Whether playing with them, taking them for rides in the car, or treating them with love and care, these best friends can bring companionship and happiness to their owners. Unfortunately, some dogs can get aggressive if they are provoked and even when they aren’t. They are, after all, animals who act on instinct. If you are bitten, a skilled Detroit dog bite lawyer can help seek compensation for your injury.

At Wigod & Falzon, our team of personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience you need when a human’s best friend becomes a dangerous threat. We understand that your injuries could prevent you from returning to work, require significant financial costs to recover, or could leave you with a new set of fears that need the support of a mental health professional. No matter what happens after you experience a dog bite, our team can help.

Michigan’s Dog Bite Laws

If you are attacked by a dog in the state of Michigan, that dog’s owner may be responsible for any damages that you suffer as a result of that bite. It doesn’t matter whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior or has never bitten anyone in its life. If you are bitten by a dog, the owner’s liability is determined by the circumstances surrounding the incident. Dog owners, however, have a responsibility to keep others safe from injury as a result of their pets.

If you are bitten, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including a dog bite or a premises liability claim, is three years. This time begins from the date of your initial bite when your injuries would have occurred. To file a claim, you will need to gather evidence, consult with a lawyer, and determine the compensation you seek to recover. If you fail to file within the three-year window, you may lose the opportunity to file.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

Attacks by a dog can be a frightening experience, particularly if it’s a large dog. Depending on the dog, your injury could be substantial. It is vital that you get medical attention quickly to prevent infection. Here are some important steps you can take in the event of a dog bite to make sure your bite is cleaned properly:

• Wash the wound. As soon as you are able to get away from the dog, wash your wound out with clean water and mild soap. Spend roughly five to ten minutes washing out the wound as thoroughly as you can.
• Slow the bleeding. If the wound is bleeding, you can slow it down with a clean cloth. Wrap it around the wound tightly to keep the bleeding at bay. It won’t look pretty, but it could effectively slow down the bleeding while you get to a doctor.
• Antibiotics. If you have any over-the-counter antibiotic ointment at home, such as bacitracin or hydrogen peroxide, you may want to apply a bit of it to your wound. Applying antibacterial ointment can help prevent infections from growing early and can contribute to the cleaning of the wound.
• See a doctor. Once you have cleaned the wound as well as can be expected, applied antibacterial cream, and wrapped the wound in a sterile bandage, you should go and see a doctor. If your wound is on your hand, arm, or leg, you may want to have somebody else drive you to the doctor just to be safe. Your doctor can provide you with a treatment plan, pain medication, and anything else you may need to heal.
• Follow the treatment plan. Whenever you are injured and a legal situation is imminent, you should follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely. You may feel that a dog bite is no big deal, but you’ll heal eventually. This may be true, but when the time comes to seek compensation for your injury, the dog owner’s lawyer may be able to use the fact that you aren’t following your treatment plan as proof that you aren’t as badly injured as you claim.
• Consult a lawyer. Once you have a valid medical report from your doctor, you should consider reaching out to an experienced dog bite lawyer who can help you build a case against the dog owner and seek compensation for your injury.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

When you are attacked by a dog, the bite may not be the only injury you sustain, especially in the long run. Depending on the size of the dog, you may have suffered multiple injuries. Here are some of the different types of injuries that a dog bite can lead to:

• Punctures. One of the most common injuries you can receive from a dog attack is a puncture. This happens when the dog’s teeth break through the skin. While the wounds can be small depending on the size of the dog’s teeth and how hard its grip can be, the puncture can be quite deep. A deeper wound increases the risk of infection.
• Lacerations. A laceration is a deep cut or a tear in the skin. This can happen not just from a dog’s bite but from its sharp nails. A deep laceration can affect your muscles, bones, and nerves, as well as your various layers of skin. You may need stitches for injuries like this. Don’t try to close the wounds on your own, as you could cause severe infections.
• Rabies. Rabies is generally the worst-case scenario for the aftermath of a dog attack. If a dog is taken care of by its owner and up to date on its shots, there’s a good chance it won’t have rabies. It may be safe to assume that an irresponsible dog owner who lets their dog attack people may not be up to date on those shots. After a dog attack, go to an emergency room and inquire about emergency rabies treatments, just in case.
• Crushing. Large dogs can have significant jaw force that can crush your bones, muscles, and tendons, resulting in catastrophic injuries that can be difficult to heal from. Aggressive dogs can seriously injure people, particularly children, with their large, powerful bite.

These are just a few of the ways in which you could suffer an injury because of a dog bite. No matter the circumstances of your bite, once you have sought a medical professional, contact an attorney who can help you recover the costs associated with any treatments, lost wages due to time out of work, and any long-term care you may require in Detroit. Dog owners run the risk of their dog biting, but if it does, you shouldn’t be left paying the bill because of injuries from their pet.

Successful Outcomes for Detroit Injury Victims

At Wigod & Falzon, our focus is on pursuing full and fair compensation for injured individuals throughout Detroit and the surrounding communities. We understand that no two cases are alike. Every injury has its own facts, challenges, and long-term consequences.

While outcomes depend on the specific circumstances of each case, our recovery history demonstrates our ability to handle complicated injury matters so that we can advocate for meaningful results.

These results reflect our approach to injury litigation. We build strong claims from the ground up. Our team gathers the evidence, documents the damages, consults with medical professionals, and prepares each case as if it might ultimately be presented in court.

Large recoveries don’t happen by accident. They’re the product of careful preparation, attention to detail, strategic negotiation, and a willingness to stand firm when insurers deny, delay, or try to shift blame.

At Wigod & Falzon, we understand the tactics insurance carriers often use, and we work to make sure our clients aren’t pressured into accepting less than they deserve.

We also believe in transparency. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but our history of recoveries can offer insight into our experience, our commitment, and our ability to advocate on your behalf.

Awards & Professional Recognition

Professional recognition and measurable achievements offer additional insight into who we are as a firm. While awards and numbers alone don’t define quality, they can reflect consistency, community trust, and a sustained commitment to serving injury victims throughout Michigan.

At Wigod & Falzon, our commitment to the success of our dog bite injury clients is a reflection of our ability to deliver results while providing the driven, client-centered service you deserve.

Some of our awards and professional recognitions include:

• Over 25 years of professional experience
• Hundreds of five-star Google reviews
• Top 40 Under 40 award from The National Trial Lawyers
• Top Attorneys of North America
• Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer Award for litigation
• The American Society of Legal Advocates
• AV Preeminent Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
• American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys Top Ten Attorneys Award
• America’s Most Honored Professionals

When it comes to dog bite injury law, experience, results, and client trust matter. Our professional recognition reflects our continued commitment to protecting dog bite injury victims, as each recovery and positive review represents someone who needed strong legal guidance after suffering from a painful and often traumatic injury.

Dog bite cases can be legally and emotionally complex, as they often involve medical complications, scarring, psychological trauma, and disputes with insurance carriers. While our decades of experience handling dog bite injury claims and the awards and recognition we’ve received don’t guarantee results, they do signal that we’re experienced, established, and committed to achieving meaningful results.

Why Detroit Dog Bite Injury Victims Choose Wigod & Falzon

Choosing the right attorney after a serious injury is one of the most important decisions that you can make. Legal representation isn’t about filing paperwork or negotiating with insurance adjusters, but about trust, communication, and confidence during one of the most vulnerable periods of your life.

When dog bite injury victims hire the team at Wigod & Falzon, they hire us for personal care, local insight, and seasoned guidance. From the first consultation to final verdict, our team emphasizes responsiveness, clarity, and individualized attention, and we approach each case with:

• Compassion and competence. Our team takes the time to understand the circumstances of each client so that we can tailor our legal strategies to suit your goals and needs.
• Local experience. Our team is well-versed when it comes to handling dog-bite injury claims, and we’re familiar with local courts and procedures.
• Client communication. We keep you informed, involved, and supported throughout the legal process.

Our local experience also plays a meaningful role in how we advocate. Our team understands how Wayne County courts operate, how insurance companies evaluate claims in the Detroit area, and how local procedures can affect your case timelines. That familiarity allows us to anticipate challenges and prepare accordingly, giving our clients confidence that their case is being handled by attorneys who know the regional legal landscape.

From the very first day, we provide personalized attention. Because we offer a free consultation and operate on a contingency fee basis, you pay no fees unless we obtain compensation for you. This structure reduces financial barriers and allows dog bite injury victims to pursue the justice they deserve without any upfront legal costs.

Our commitment to this approach reinforces our client-centered philosophy and our belief that access to legal representation shouldn’t depend on immediate financial resources.

Understanding Detroit Accident Risks

In Detroit, densely populated neighborhoods and high foot traffic naturally bring people and animals into close proximity. Sidewalks, parks, residential streets, and multi-unit housing complexes all create environments where interactions between dog owners and pedestrians are frequent.

When a dog isn’t properly trained or supervised, these everyday encounters can quickly become unpredictable and dangerous.

Understanding the local legal landscape is just as important as understanding the physical environment. We regularly practice in the Third Judicial Circuit Court, the 26th District Court, and the Wayne County Circuit Court. This gives us valuable insight into the procedural expectations, case management practices, and how injury claims are typically evaluated.

We also have experience dealing with local insurance carriers, and we understand how they approach compensation in both injury and dog bite claims. This combined knowledge of court procedures and insurance tactics allows us to anticipate potential challenges early on and shape our negotiation and litigation strategies accordingly.

When you hire a dog bite lawyer at Wigod & Falzon, you can trust our knowledge of Detroit’s neighborhoods and our experience in Wayne County courts. We’re prepared to advocate effectively for those seeking compensation after a serious dog bite injury. Local awareness, strategic preparation, and dedication to our clients all work together to strengthen the cases we build on their behalf.

FAQs

How Much Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in Michigan?

There is no limit to how much you can sue for a dog bite in Michigan. A settlement amount for a dog bite claim should reflect the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, any lost wages, pain and suffering, your future earning capacity, and ongoing medical needs such as physical therapy and surgery costs. You may even be able to receive punitive damages if the court deems it necessary.

How Long After a Dog Bite Can You Sue in Michigan?

You have three years to file a claim after a Michigan dog bite causes you injury. You have three years to develop your case, gather enough evidence, build a plan with a lawyer, and file a claim for compensatory damages. If you are unable to file before three years are up, your case may be dismissed, and you won’t be able to seek damages anymore. Building a case can take time, so it is recommended that you move quickly.

Does Michigan Have a One Bite Rule for Dogs?

Michigan does not have a one bite rule for dogs. It doesn’t matter if the dog in question has never attacked anyone before. What matters is that it attacked someone this time. Michigan has very strict liability laws that hold dog owners responsible for any damages that their dogs cause. This is enforced even if it is the first time the dog has ever bitten someone. It applies to all breeds of dogs as well.

How Much Can You Receive from a Dog Bite Claim?

All dog bite situations are different, and the unique circumstances of your case can determine how much you may be able to recover. The amount you may receive in a settlement depends largely on the severity of your injuries, the dog owner’s liability, whether or not the case goes to trial, and your lawyer’s negotiation skills. An experienced dog bite lawyer can work tirelessly so that your settlement amount is appropriate.

Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Detroit Today

Getting attacked by a dog can be a traumatic and horrifying experience, especially if the dog is large, aggressive, and not vaccinated. You may be dealing with severe injuries that are impacting your quality of life. Holding the dog owner accountable and seeking compensation could be a good way to start to seek closure for what happened to you.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon understands how difficult it can be to seek compensation for a dog bite case. We can help you develop that case, gather the evidence you need, and make sure your interests are fully protected.

Contact us to schedule a consultation today.