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Dog Bite Lawyer Macomb County

A serious dog attack can change a life in an instant. Physical pain, scarring, emergency room visits, missed work, and emotional trauma can overwhelm an entire family—especially when a child is the one who was bitten. In those moments, you need more than a lawyer. You need a team that understands what you’re going through and knows how to protect you under Michigan law.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick is an experienced Michigan personal injury firm representing dog bite victims throughout Macomb County and Metro Detroit. Our practice is built on a client-first, integrity-driven, team-based approach. That means your case is never treated like a file number; you get the full strength of our attorneys and staff working together to secure justice and full compensation for you and your family.

We represent dog bite victims in Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Shelby Township, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Eastpointe, and every community across Macomb County. Whether the attack happened in a neighborhood, apartment complex, park, or someone’s home, our firm is ready to step in, protect your rights, and guide you through the legal process with clarity and compassion.

Michigan Dog Bite Law – Strict Liability

Michigan Dog Bite Statute

Michigan has one of the stronger dog bite laws in the country. Under the Michigan dog bite statute, a dog owner is generally strictly liable when their dog bites a person without provocation and that person is lawfully on the property or in a public place.

“Strict liability” means you usually do not have to prove the owner did something careless or that the dog had ever bitten anyone before. There is no requirement that:

  • The dog had a history of aggression, or
  • The owner knew the dog was dangerous.

Defenses Under the Michigan Dog Bite Statute

Provocation
The owner may argue that the victim teased, hit, or otherwise provoked the dog. Not every interaction qualifies as legal provocation, and simple actions—like walking past, petting a dog gently, or being near its owner—usually are not enough. Whether something amounts to provocation under Michigan law is a nuanced question we analyze carefully.

Trespassing / unlawful presence
The statute protects people who are in public or lawfully on private property. If the defense can claim the victim was trespassing or unlawfully present, they may try to avoid liability. We work to establish that you had a legal right to be where you were when the bite occurred.

Comparative fault and damages
Even in strict liability cases, an insurance company may argue that your own actions contributed to the attack (for example, ignoring warnings or approaching the dog after being told not to). Under Michigan’s comparative fault rules, this can affect the amount of damages you receive. Our job is to push back against unfair blame and protect the full value of your claim.

Liability in a Macomb County Dog Bite Case

Dog Owner Liability

In most cases, the dog’s owner is the primary party responsible for injuries. That responsibility follows the dog whether the attack:

  • Happens at the owner’s home,
  • Takes place on a sidewalk or driveway, or
  • Occurs in a public park or on a walking trail.

The owner has a duty to control their dog and prevent it from harming others. When they fail in that duty and a bite occurs, they can be held accountable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Landlord and Property Owner Liability

Liability doesn’t always end with the dog’s owner. In some situations, landlords and other property owners in Macomb County may also share responsibility, particularly when:

  • They knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous or had bitten before, and
  • They had the ability to remove the dog or terminate the lease but failed to act.

Owners of property—like a landlord, property manager, or even a relative who allows someone to keep a dangerous dog at their home—may be liable if they “harbor” or “keep” the animal and allow unsafe conditions to continue. These cases are fact-specific and often hotly contested, so a careful investigation is essential.

Third-Party Liability

In some dog bite cases, additional third parties may be responsible, such as:

  • Employers who use dogs in the course of business, like security companies using guard dogs.
  • Dog walkers, pet sitters, or boarding kennels whose negligence contributed to the attack—for example, losing control of the leash, ignoring warnings, or failing to properly separate animals.

When we handle a dog bite case, we look beyond the obvious to identify every potential source of responsibility and insurance coverage, helping to maximize the resources available to you.

Michigan Dog Bite Damages – What You May Recover

Economic Damages

Past and Future Medical Bills
Dog bites can require emergency room treatment, surgery, stitches, antibiotics, rabies shots, and often follow-up care. In serious cases, victims may also need plastic surgery, skin grafts, and physical therapy. We pursue compensation for all reasonable medical expenses—both already incurred and those expected in the future.

Lost Wages and Loss of Future Earning Capacity
If your injuries force you to miss work, reduce your hours, or change jobs, the law allows you to seek recovery for lost income. In more serious cases, we may work with experts to calculate loss of earning capacity when your injuries permanently limit the kind of work you can do.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Dog bite cases often involve other financial losses, including:

  • Medications and medical supplies
  • Transportation to and from appointments
  • Therapy or counseling costs
  • Childcare during your treatment or recovery

Noneconomic Damages

Pain and Suffering
Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by your injuries.

Emotional Distress and Trauma
Dog attacks can lead to long-lasting emotional harm—fear, anxiety, depression, or panic when near dogs or crowded places. These are real injuries, and they matter.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life and Social Activities
When scars, pain, or anxiety prevent you from doing the things you once loved—playing with your kids, exercising, socializing—that loss is part of your damages.

Embarrassment and Humiliation
Visible scars and disfigurement can cause victims to feel self-conscious, withdrawn, or embarrassed. Michigan law allows juries to consider this emotional impact when awarding damages.

Wrongful Death Damages

While rare, dog attacks can be fatal. In those heartbreaking cases, Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain family members to pursue damages that may include:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of companionship, love, and support
  • Loss of financial support and services
  • Other damages recognized under Michigan law

Our role is to handle the legal burden with compassion and respect, allowing the family to focus on grieving and healing.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Macomb County

Immediate Steps

Your health and safety come first.

  • Seek medical treatment right away, even if the bite seems minor. Dog bites can become infected quickly, and you may need vaccines, antibiotics, or more serious care.
  • Clean and document wounds as instructed by medical professionals, and follow their directions carefully.

Report the Incident

It’s important to report the dog bite to:

  • Local animal control, and/or
  • Law enforcement in Macomb County

Evidence to Preserve

If you’re able—or once you’re stable—try to gather and keep:

  • Photos of your injuries, torn or bloodied clothing, and the scene of the attack
  • Names and contact information for witnesses who saw the incident or know the dog’s history
  • Details about the dog and its owner: address, physical description, and any information you can safely obtain

Avoiding Common Mistakes

After a dog bite, it’s easy to unintentionally hurt your own claim. Some key things to avoid:

  • Do not sign medical releases, settlement documents, or other paperwork from an insurer without legal advice.
  • Resist the urge to post about the incident on social media, as those posts can be taken out of context and used against you.

Contacting a Dog Bite Lawyer

Contacting Liss, Shapero & Mitnick promptly allows us to:

  • Protect your rights under Michigan law
  • Preserve critical evidence and witness statements
  • Deal directly with insurance companies so they do not take advantage of you

Standing Up for Dog Bite Victims in Macomb County

A dog attack is more than a frightening moment—it can leave lasting scars, mounting medical bills, and a deep sense of injustice. You should never have to shoulder those burdens alone, especially when the attack occurred because someone failed to properly control their dog.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we are committed to protecting dog bite victims and their families throughout Macomb County and across Southeast Michigan. Our firm combines experience in Michigan personal injury law with a truly client-first, team-based approach. From the first call, you have an entire team behind you—investigating what happened, dealing with insurance companies, and fighting for the compensation you need to move forward.

Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick

If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog, reach out today to learn how we can help protect your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick
2695 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072

Phone: 248-584-1300
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Fax: 248-584-1323

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