How Do I Know If My Dog Bite Case Is Worth Pursuing?

Most Michigan dog bite victims have valid claims they could pursue. The right question is whether the time and effort are worth it for YOUR specific situation.

The Short Answer

A free case review answers this honestly in 20-30 minutes. Generally, cases with these factors are worth pursuing: documented medical bills (any amount), identifiable dog owner, photographs of injuries, and any of these: visible scarring, infection, lost work time, missed activities, or psychological symptoms. We tell clients honestly when a case isn’t worth the time and effort — that conversation is part of every consultation. There’s no obligation to pursue after the review.

Video coming soon — Solomon Radner answers this question

The Detailed Answer

This is one of the most common questions we get, and it deserves an honest answer. Not every dog bite case is worth pursuing. But many cases that victims dismiss as “too minor” are actually substantial. The only reliable way to know is a free case review with someone who handles these cases routinely.

Factors that strengthen a case

Documented medical care on the day of the bite — creates the foundation of the claim
Identifiable dog owner with insurance — most homeowner’s policies cover dog bites
Animal control report on file — official documentation of the bite
Photographs of injuries — visual proof of severity
Visible scarring — particularly on face, hands, or other exposed areas
Infection or complications — substantially increases case value
Time missed from work — direct economic damages
Psychological symptoms — PTSD, fear of dogs, sleep issues
Witnesses — corroborate liability and circumstances

Factors that weaken a case

No medical care sought (or significantly delayed care)
Unidentified dog owner
No insurance on the dog owner
Significant provocation by the victim
Trespassing at the time of the bite
Statute of limitations close to expiring

Note that many of these “weaknesses” don’t actually kill a case — they just make it harder. Unidentified owners can sometimes be found. Uninsured owners can still be sued personally. And what insurance companies call “provocation” rarely meets the legal definition. See our settlement value guide for the complete picture.

The economic question

For us, a case generally makes financial sense when expected total damages exceed about $5,000-10,000 — because that’s the threshold below which the time and effort of litigation may not produce a net benefit to the victim. For cases under that threshold, we usually advise the victim to either pursue the claim directly with the insurance company themselves (with our guidance), or to evaluate whether the case is genuinely worth the time investment.

For cases above that threshold, the contingency fee model means there’s no out-of-pocket cost to the victim — see our lawyer fees page for how this works.

What This Means for Your Case

The only reliable way to know is to ask. A free case review is 20-30 minutes of conversation with someone who handles Michigan dog bite cases routinely. We’ll give you an honest assessment — including telling you when a case isn’t worth pursuing. There’s zero obligation. If we say “you don’t have a great case,” we say it directly. If we say “this is worth pursuing,” we explain why.

Bitten by a dog in Michigan? Call 1-800-LAWSUIT or request a free case review. No fee unless we win.