Detroit Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you may not know where to turn and you may not know exactly what your rights are. “Is the dog’s owner responsible for their pet’s aggressive behavior?” “Can I file a lawsuit against the owner?” are all questions that we hear from people who have been hurt by someone else’s dog.

At Ravid & Associates, P.C., our team has extensive experience helping people who have been bitten or whose children or family members have been bitten by dogs in Detroit and all across the state of Michigan. We understand how painful and traumatic a dog attack can be, and we refuse to let negligent dog owners off-the-hook if they let their aggressive dog cause harm to another person. Dog bites should never happen, and dog owners should take any and all precautions to keep their pet on a leash or fenced at all times to avoid harm to others.

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the United States, with tens of millions of households owning at least one dog. Most dog owners are highly responsible and ensure that their pet is never allowed to put others in harm’s way. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, reckless or careless dog owners fail to properly train or restrain their pets, resulting in serious injuries caused by dog bites and attacks.

While some dog attacks may cause only minor injuries, it is not uncommon for dog bites and other aggressive actions to result in serious injuries, particularly in cases involving attacks on children. In the worst instances, dog attacks may even result in death. If you have suffered a dog bite or other animal attack in Detroit, the lawyers at Ravid & Associates, P.C., understand the difficulties you may be facing and want to help you hold the responsible dog owner accountable for their negligence.

Each and every year unsuspecting victims fall prey to dog attacks. You might be bitten by a friend’s dog when you visit their home. Your child could be attacked while playing outside because a neighbor carelessly allows their pet to freely roam the community. If you or someone close to you has been bitten or attacked by a dog, you should know your legal rights. Without counsel from a knowledgeable lawyer, you might find yourself unfairly paying for the costs of a dog bite injury caused by someone else’s pet or on someone else’s property.

As the experienced dog bite attorneys at Ravid & Associates, P.C. know, Michigan laws lay down strict rules about animal attacks. Owners can be held legally responsible if their dog bites someone, and these regulations help deserving victims get justice. Individuals hurt by a dog may even be entitled to significant financial compensation from the animal’s owner. Such compensation can help cover the medical costs of the bite and provide some recompense for the pain and trauma of the attack.

The dog bite attorneys at Ravid & Associates, P.C. are ready to help you cope with the aftermath of an animal attack. Our award-winning legal team has secured over $350 million for our clients. To learn whether you could be eligible for financial compensation, contact us today. You can call us at (248) 948-9696 or fill out our quick online intake form.

Dog Bite Cases We Handle

Dog bites and other animal attacks are a serious problem, with millions of people seeking emergency room treatment each year for dog bite injuries in the United States. At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we are prepared to help injury victims fight for the compensation they need in situations involving:

Dog Bites

If a dog bites a person, whether they be a child, adult, or elderly individual, the dog’s owner may be held liable for medical expenses, therapy, and pain-and-suffering. It is the responsibility of the dog’s owner to keep it on a leash while in public, keep it properly fenced when at home, and otherwise ensure that the dog cannot attack others. If the owner fails to do so, they may be held liable for injuries the dog causes to others.

Animal Attacks

In the event an animal owned by one individual attacks and harms another individual, the owner may be held responsible for the injuries, medical bills, and other expenses caused by the attack. Every pet owner has a responsibility to keep their pets properly secured and should not expose others to unnecessary harm.

Mauling

If a person is mauled by an animal owned by another individual, the injured party has a right to pursue legal action. No one expects to suffer serious injury caused by an animal, and if it happens, the owner of the animal at fault should be held responsible. Contact the attorneys of Ravid & Associates, P.C. today to learn more about your rights if you or a loved one has been mauled by an animal.

While pursuing legal action cannot undo the injuries and emotional trauma resulting from a dog bite, it can help victims secure the compensation they need to cover their injury-related losses. Additionally, it sends an important message to dog owners that negligence that results in injury to innocent people will not go unpunished.

The Dangers of Dog Bites

Dogs are unarguably the most popular pet in the United States. Millions of households include at least one canine companion, and homes in the Detroit area are no exception. Dogs are valued for their loyalty and their intelligence. The wide variety of breeds also means that dogs are suited to many different types of living situations. People in urban apartments have the option of choosing a small, quiet pet while suburban houses with yards seem perfect for big, friendly dogs. The vast majority of these animals are harmless, companionable, and well-trained. Unfortunately, a small but significant number of dogs are downright dangerous.

Dog bites can range in severity from minor to lethally serious. One small dog’s nip may fail to even break a healthy adult’s skin, but a vicious snap from a larger animal might maim–and even kill. Children and the elderly are at particular risk of harm during dog attacks, with thousands of victims being hospitalized annually. Some common medical problems that can happen when you are bitten by a dog include:

• Puncture wounds
• Broken bones
• Tissue loss
• Bruises
• Injuries sustained while falling during a dog attack
• Blood loss
• Infection
• Severe damage to limbs, hands, and/or feet

Even minor wounds can demand immediate medical attention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18% of all dog bites become infected with bacteria. A small bite could transfer a host of diseases from the dog’s mouth to the victim including rabies, tetanus, MRSA, capnocytophaga spp. bacteria, and pasteurella. It’s generally a good idea for dog bite victims to seek medical care to treat their injuries, but hospital visits can be expensive. If someone else can be held legally responsible for the animal attack, you might be able to obtain monetary recompense to cover the costs of your injury.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites

If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, you likely have questions about your legal options, regardless of the severity of the injury. It is important to contact an experienced dog bite lawyer like the ones at Ravid & Associates, P.C. to discuss the specifics of your situation, but we have included a few helpful frequently asked questions below:

I was bitten by someone else’s dog. Is the owner responsible for my injuries?

The owner of the dog is legally responsible for controlling their pet, and if they fail to observe the state’s leash-laws, they may be held liable for harm that their dog causes to others. The injured party may be eligible to take legal action to recover compensation for their medical expenses as well as pain and suffering. If the dog has a history of dangerous or aggressive behavior, the owner may ultimately be held criminally liable as well.

I was bitten by my neighbors’ dog and was seriously hurt, but I feel guilty taking legal action against them. What are my options?

The majority of reported dog bites involve a dog biting a family member, friend, or neighbor. This often puts the victim in a tough situation: needing to pay for mounting medical expenses while not wanting to take legal action against someone they know well. Fortunately, you may be able to seek compensation through the dog owners’ insurance policy (homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, typically) and do not have to take legal action against the person themselves.

I was bitten by a dog, but am afraid they will put it down if I report that it bit me. What do I do?

In most cases, the dog will not be put down if this is the first time that it has ever bitten someone. Most states instead will require the owner to report the incident and will place the dog on a “dangerous dog” list. The owner will usually have to notify the proper authorities if they sell or give away the dog. The dog will only be put down if it is a serious threat to people, and that is a rare case.

Dog Bites in the U.S. – A Glimpse at the Numbers

In 2015, there were 70 million dogs in the US, and 36.5% of all households had at least 1 dog. The sheer amount of dogs in U.S. means that a shocking number of people are attacked or bitten every year.But just how common are these incidents? The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) gathers and publishes data concerning dog bites, attacks, and injuries in order to educate the public. According to the AVMA:

• 5 million people are bitten by dogs every year
• 359,223 children were bitten by dogs between 2010-2012
• 20% of all bite victims need medical attention

These numbers reveal that hundreds of thousands of dog bite victims each year are forced seek emergency help, obtain a doctor’s opinion, and get treatment for their injuries. A dog attack can wind up costing unsuspecting individuals a great deal of money. The AVMA tell us that in one year a full third of homeowners’ insurance claims involved dog bites. The average payment by insurers for a dog bite claim was $37,329 in 2015.

Contact a Detroit Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bite victims may experience substantial financial losses after an attack, including medical costs, expenses related to pain management, and possibly even bills for ongoing treatment or cosmetic surgery. If you were injured because of another party’s carelessness, you shouldn’t have to cover these costs on your own. Contact the attorneys of Ravid & Associates, P.C., at (248) 948-9696 today to learn more about how a lawsuit may be able to help you.