Who actually pays the damages to dog bite victims?
In Michigan, your rights as the victim of an animal attack are significant. Leash laws protect persons from injuries caused when animals run loose and cause accident or injury. A victim attacked and injured by a roaming animal may be entitled to claim damages to cover medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering from an inattentive animal owner. Check out: http://www.conybearelaw.com/practice-areas/animal-attacks/
Many serious dog attacks involve the dog of a friend or family member. Therefore, victims frequently worry about who will pay their damages because they don’t want a friend or family member to feel the burden. There is no reason to worry. Even though the dog owner is technically liable, the damages usually are paid by: • Homeowner’s insurance; • Renter’s insurance; • Landlord’s insurance; • Dog owner insurance; • Insurance covering employers and breeders, if they are responsible. Therefore, if you are a victim and the dog owner is a friend or family member who is covered by insurance, and if that insurance has a limit high enough to cover your needs, there is no possibility that your friend or family member will ever have to pay one cent toward your compensation. There have been cases where a defendant in a lawsuit had to pay for damages out of his or her pocket because: • The insurance was inadequate; • There was no insurance • The defendant acted with actual malice and intentionally
