Grand Rapids Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Lawyer for Animal Attack Victims in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon Counties

Dogs are extremely popular pets throughout the United States and in Michigan, where over one-third of all households own at least one dog. Almost everyone is likely to encounter dogs on a regular basis, and most of these encounters are positive. However, dogs do occasionally act aggressively, and you may find yourself injured by a dog bite and needing medical treatment.

If you are facing medical expenses and other lasting effects from a dog bite injury, John D. Tallman, Attorney at Law, can help you obtain compensation. We have served personal injury clients in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and West Michigan for almost 40 years, and we have a thorough understanding of the laws in place to protect bite injury victims. You can rely on our full investment in your case, as we only receive compensation in the event of a successful settlement or verdict.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

In many dog bite cases, the dog has no prior history of violence and has regularly interacted with the person who was bitten. A dog bite may seem to come out of nowhere, but there are some precautions you can take to reduce the risk of it happening to you:

• Avoid approaching dogs you do not know or entering their territory.
• Always ask a dog's owner before trying to pet it.
• Avoid loud noises and sudden movement around dogs.
• Avoid bothering dogs that are eating or sleeping, or that appear hurt, scared, or angry.

If you have young children, you should teach them safe behavior around dogs as well, since they are more likely to be bitten and seriously injured.

Pursuing Compensation With a Grand Rapids Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

If you or your family member has been bitten by a dog, you should take photos to document the injuries and seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if the injury does not appear serious, dog bites often become infected if left untreated, and diseases like rabies can be spread through a dog's saliva. If you were bitten by an unfamiliar dog, it is also a good idea to contact local animal control or law enforcement.

If the injuries are serious and you want to pursue compensation, your next step is to hire a personal injury attorney. Under Michigan law, a dog's owner is liable for damages from bite injuries it causes even if the dog has no history of viciousness. To receive compensation, the victim needs to demonstrate that the bite was unprovoked and occurred on public property, or on the owner's private property if the victim was there lawfully. Our attorney can help you collect and preserve evidence showing that this is the case, and use it to present a strong argument in your favor during settlement negotiations and court proceedings.

If your claim is successful, you can receive compensation for economic damages including medical bills and lost income from any missed time from work. You may be able to receive additional pain and suffering compensation if the bite has a lasting impact on your quality of life, such as in the case of scarring and disfigurement or emotional trauma.

Contact a Kent County Personal Injury Attorney

A dog attack is a rattling experience, and if you or your child has been bitten, you need an attorney who can help you stay calm and guide you through the process of pursuing a liability claim. We will stand by your side until your case is complete and do everything in our power to achieve fair and full compensation. We represent clients in a variety of personal injury cases, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, and more in Grand Rapids, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, and throughout Kent County, Ottawa County, and Muskegon County. Contact us at 616-361-8850 and schedule a free consultation.