The Bite Barely Broke the Skin — Is It Still Worth Pursuing?

Many Michigan dog bite victims dismiss minor-looking bites as not worth pursuing. That’s almost always a mistake. Even small bites can have substantial value — and may worsen over the following days.

The Short Answer

Yes — even minor dog bites are often worth pursuing in Michigan. Surface-level bites can develop into serious infections, psychological injury (PTSD) is real damage regardless of bite severity, and the emergency room visit alone often generates $500-2,000 in medical bills. Michigan has no minimum injury threshold under MCL 287.351 — any bite by an owned dog where you were lawfully present and didn’t provoke the dog creates liability.

Video coming soon — Solomon Radner answers this question

The Detailed Answer

One of the most common mistakes Michigan dog bite victims make is assuming that a small or “minor” bite isn’t worth bringing a claim over. The bite heals in a week, the puncture marks fade, and the victim moves on. But there are three reasons that calculus is wrong more often than it’s right.

Reason 1: Small bites become big infections

Approximately 10-20% of dog bite wounds become infected. Hand bites, deep puncture wounds, and bites on the elderly or immunocompromised have substantially higher rates. A small puncture wound has a higher infection risk than a large laceration — because the small wound seals over quickly and traps bacteria deep in tissue. See our dog bite infection guide for the full medical picture.

If infection develops 3-7 days after the bite — which is common — and you’ve already told everyone “it was nothing,” you’ve made your case harder. The insurance company will argue the infection was caused by something else.

Reason 2: Psychological injury is real damage

Even a minor bite can leave lasting psychological injury — fear of dogs, anxiety walking in your neighborhood, nightmares, hypervigilance. PTSD is a recognized medical condition with diagnosable symptoms, and Michigan law treats it as fully compensable damage. The physical bite may have been minor; the psychological impact may not be. See our page on PTSD and emotional trauma after a dog bite.

Reason 3: Even “minor” bites have real medical bills

A single ER visit for a dog bite typically generates $500-2,000 in billed charges. Add a tetanus booster, an antibiotic prescription, and one follow-up visit, and you’re easily at $1,500-4,000. Those bills are recoverable from the dog owner’s insurance — and most homeowner’s policies have $100,000-300,000 in liability coverage for dog bite claims.

Michigan Has No Injury Threshold

Some states require a “serious injury” before a dog bite claim can move forward. Michigan does not. Under MCL 287.351, the dog owner is liable for any damages the bite caused — there is no minimum severity. A $1,500 medical bill is recoverable. A $50,000 reconstructive surgery is recoverable. Pain and suffering for a small bite is recoverable. The statute does not say “minor bites don’t count.”

When a “Minor” Case Might Not Be Worth It

Honest assessment: not every dog bite case justifies pursuing through litigation. A bite that left no mark, required no medical care, and produced no psychological symptoms may legitimately not be worth the time and stress of a claim. The right way to know is a free case review — we’ll tell you honestly whether your case is worth pursuing or whether the cost-benefit doesn’t work. Either way, you get accurate information for your decision.

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