Veterinarian Records Help Win Dog Bite Settlements

At the law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. our attorneys have been successful in winning Michigan dog bite lawsuits for those victims who suffer serious injuries and permanent scarring due to a vicious canine attack.  Under the State’s law, a dog and its owner is held strictly liable for the harm from the attack unless the victim somehow provoked the animal.  Unfortunately for many victims the word “unless” comes to play more than one would think.  Often times, dog owners will try to avoid liability by arguing that their dog is friendly and gentle and only attacked because it was provoked or antagonized at the time of the incident.

Michigan does not in fact have a rule where the dog owner cannot be sued for an injury if the canine had never bitten anyone in the past.  However, in order to help win a settlement and prove that a victim did not provoke the attack, our Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. attorneys will obtain the veterinarian records of the animal.  These records have disclosed information on previous bites on people and serious temperament problems which nullify the provocation defense.  The vet records are not required when trying to prove your claim, however this is one strategy our attorneys use to help our clients win their cases. By countering the defense with these records, we have helped several clients win their lawsuit and receive maximum settlement in their case.

The amount of compensation you can receive in a dog bite lawsuit is different in every case.  However, under Michigan law,  a victim can collect compensation for several different types of damages depending on the attack and the resulting injuries.  These damages typically include:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and suffering and mental anguish suffered in both the past and into the future.
• Loss of Earnings: Loss of earnings suffered as a result from time off of work due to the injuries.    This includes wages, commissions, bonuses, and all other earnings and fringe benefits.   A claim for future lost earnings can also be made.
• Scars & Disfigurement: If the dog bite injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, the victim is entitled to recovery for the disfigurement.  Because these injuries are often in very visible places, such as the face or arms, victims are often very self-conscious of their appearance.
• Psychological Damages:  Children are frequently bitten in the facial region and require plastic surgery later on in life.  Depending on the age of the child at the time of the attack, many surgeons will not perform surgical revisions until the child reaches early adulthood.  This means that many times, children will go through the embarrassment and humiliation of the scar through adolescence, a period in which they are very self-conscious of their appearance. This often impacts them both socially and emotionally.
• Medical Expenses: Damages include any sort of medical expenses that a dog bite victim has had to pay for at the hospital, clinic, or to a pharmacy.  These include the cost of basic medical treatment, going to the emergency room, and any sort of surgical treatment or care needed to repair the scar.

If you or someone you know was attacked or bitten by a dog in Michigan and are looking for help in winning a high settlement, call our top rated attorneys today at (800) 606-1717.   We will discuss your case with you and start working on your claim immediately, gathering all the evidence and witness statements to prove and win your case.  We will also obtain the veterinary records of the vicious animal so that we can ensure you receive maximum settlement for your pain and suffering and other losses, including financial loss due to medical bills piling up.  For more information and to learn your rights, call us now.  We offer a free, no obligation case review and will represent you under our No Win No Fee Promise, which means there are no legal fees or costs until we win or settle your claim.