Michigan Personal Injury Attorney Represents Victims of Dog Bites
Accomplished Grand Rapids firm looks to hold pet owners accountable
If you’ve required medical treatment following a dog bite from someone else’s pet, The Fiorletta Law Group, PLLC will pursue full compensation from the person responsible for the animal. Located in Grand Rapids, my firm has delivered strong representation to Michigan clients since 1991. Some dog bites cause lasting physical and psychological injuries and a pet owner’s failure to realize that their animal posed a threat is not a legal excuse. As an experienced Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, I press to secure justice for the victims of dog attacks and to hold liable individuals accountable.
Experienced advocate details the laws pertaining to animal attack cases
I know how harmful a dog bite can be, which is why I battle on behalf of Western Michigan residents who’ve been hurt in these incidents. From the very start, my firm provides knowledgeable counsel on:
- Legal standards — Dog bite cases are reviewed using the strict liability standards, which means that the person who owns the dog must pay damages even if the animal had never previously displayed aggression toward a person. Depending on the severity of the injury and whether the dog was previously held to be a dangerous animal, there might also be a criminal prosecution. In pet attacks that don’t involve biting, such when a large dog knocks a victim down, negligence on the owner’s part must be shown.
- Potential defenses — Michigan’s dog bite statute does provide a couple of potential defenses that pet owners and their lawyers might use to evade legal responsibility. Someone who is trespassing on another’s private property cannot succeed in a claim based on a bite from the property owner’s dog. Likewise, if it is shown that the person who was bitten provoked the animal, damages cannot be recovered. My firm knows the tactics that are used to try to defeat worthy lawsuits and fights back vigorously against misleading and false defenses.
- Common injuries — Depending on the particular nature of the incident, a dog bite might result in cuts, an infection, sprains and even broken bones. Regardless of the particular harm, my experience as a Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer helps clients understand the recovery they should be entitled to through a verdict or settlement.
State law gives dog bite victims three years from the date of the incident to initiate a lawsuit, but evidence and witnesses become harder to locate as time passes. Once you retain my firm, I will work quickly to secure reimbursement for medical bills, lost income and the pain and suffering you endured.
What to do if you’ve been injured by a dog bite
The moments after a harmful dog bite might be chaotic. Even if the animal is under control, you could be dealing with an angry owner and severe physical pain. Whether you were bitten by a pit bull, mutt, Rottweiler or even a pet from a breed not known for aggression, your first priority should be getting the medical attention you need. If you are out of danger, you can begin to gather information by taking photos of the scene, getting the names of witnesses and obtaining details on whether or not the dog is inoculated against rabies. There’s no need to try to argue your case with the animal’s owner, but if he or she claims that dog was trying to protect its home or felt threatened, you might want to note that.
Contact a tenacious Michigan attorney for a free consultation about a dog bite claim
The Fiorletta Law Group, PLLC works to obtain compensation for Western Michigan dog bite victims. If you or a loved one has been hurt by someone else’s pet, please call 616-717-1334 or contact me online to make an appointment for a free consultation. My office is located in Grand Rapids.
