MICHIGAN -- Our Michigan dog attack attorneys recently settled a lawsuit on behalf of a 22 year old young lady who was viciously attacked by a dog while she was working as an assistant in a veterinarian’s office.
The attack occurred in Flat Rock, Michigan.
The attack occurred while our client was assisting the veterinarian in performing an x-ray of the dog that the Defendant dog owner had brought in for an appointment.
After the taking of the x-ray, the dog suddenly snapped at our client without warning and bit a part of her upper lip off, requiring medical treatment.
Our client suffered significant damage to her upper lip, which required facial reconstructive surgery and follow-up visits to the plastic surgeon to determine if further surgery would be necessary. The bit also left residual scarring which remains visible even after her surgery.
If a person is bitten while lawfully on the property or on public property such as in the street or sidewalk, the owner or keeper of the dog can be held liable for the injuries under Michigan law.
In fact, there are several dog bite laws in Michigan that can be used in favor of the victim and hold the dog owner liable. The main statute, called the Michigan Dog Bite Statute, clearly states that the owner of the dog is liable and can be sued for a victim’s injuries.
We filed a lawsuit in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit, Michigan on her behalf seeking compensation for her injury against the dog owner for her pain and suffering damages, and for damages related to the residual scarring and disfigurement that the dog bite left on her lip. Her medical expenses and wage loss are being paid by a workers’ compensation carrier. Depositions were taken of the parties and medical records were exchanged. The case proceeded to case evaluation where the case was valued at $125,000.00.
In further negotiation, however, the parties agreed to resolve this matter for $150,000.00.
(Buckfire & Buckfire - October 24, 2014)
