What to Do After a Dog Attack or Dog-Related Injury in Michigan

Many people assume that if they were not actually bitten by a dog, they do not have a legal claim. That is not always true. Dog-related injuries can occur when someone falls while avoiding a dog, is knocked over, or is otherwise injured because an owner failed to control their animal.

A Bite Is Not the Only Path to a Claim

Michigan's dog-bite statute, MCL 287.351, imposes strict liability when a dog bites someone who was lawfully where they were and did not provoke the dog — the owner is responsible even if the dog had never shown aggression before. We walk through that statute, and the filing deadline that comes with it, in our guide to the Michigan dog bite statute of limitations.

But the statute covers bites specifically. Injuries a dog causes some other way — a knockdown, a fall while backing away, a bicycle or delivery-route collision — are evaluated under ordinary negligence principles instead: did the owner use reasonable care in controlling the animal? Leash violations, fencing, and the dog's history can all matter in that analysis. The legal theory changes, but the injury is just as real, and so is the claim.

Document Everything, Starting Now

The most important thing you can do after the incident is document everything. Take photographs, identify witnesses, report the incident if appropriate, seek medical treatment, and preserve all records related to your injuries. Even details that seem minor at first can become important months later.

• Photographs — your injuries, the location, the dog if you can do so safely, and anything that shows how the incident happened (a broken gate, an unleashed dog, torn clothing).
• People — the owner's name and address, and the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
• Reports — an animal-control or police report creates an official record of the incident and the dog.
• Medical care — prompt treatment protects your health and creates the records your claim will be built on.

The Insurance Evaluation Starts Immediately

Insurance companies often begin evaluating a claim immediately — in most dog-injury cases, the paying policy is the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. The quality of the evidence gathered in the first few weeks can significantly affect the outcome of a settlement. That early window is also when witnesses are easiest to find and footage still exists — the same reason early legal representation matters in any Michigan injury case.

How Baldori Law Approaches Dog-Injury Cases

At Baldori Law, we thoroughly investigate every claim, gather the evidence needed to establish liability, and build a damages presentation designed to maximize recovery. Our goal is to allow clients to focus on healing while we handle the legal work.

Michigan generally allows three years from the date of injury to file suit, but a strong claim is built long before that deadline. If you or your child was hurt by a dog — bitten or not — our Michigan dog bite practice can evaluate your options. Contact Baldori Law for a free consultation.