If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Michigan, one of your first questions is likely: “How long will this take?” While every case is unique, understanding the typical timeline for dog bite settlements in Michigan can help you set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.
The short answer: Most Michigan dog bite cases settle within 3 to 12 months from the date of injury. However, complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or insurance complications can take 18 months or longer.
Let’s break down the timeline, factors that affect settlement speed, and strategies to resolve your case efficiently.
Typical Michigan Dog Bite Case Timeline
Phase 1: Medical Treatment & Recovery (1-6 Months)
Your case timeline doesn’t truly begin until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) – the point where your doctors determine you’ve recovered as much as possible from your injuries.
Why this matters: Settling before MMI means you might accept compensation that doesn’t cover future medical needs, revision surgeries, or permanent scarring treatment.
Michigan Example: Sarah from Warren was bitten on her face by a neighbor’s German Shepherd in March 2023. She underwent initial emergency treatment, followed by three reconstructive surgeries over eight months. Her attorney waited until December 2023 to evaluate her case fully, ensuring all medical costs were documented. The case settled in February 2024 for $185,000 – far more than the $45,000 offered immediately after the attack.
Timeline factors: – Minor injuries (requiring stitches only): 2-4 weeks to MMI – Moderate injuries (surgery, nerve damage): 2-6 months to MMI – Severe injuries (multiple surgeries, permanent scarring): 6-12+ months to MMI
Key Point: Don’t rush to settle. Insurance companies often pressure victims to accept quick settlements before the full extent of injuries becomes apparent.
Phase 2: Investigation & Demand Letter (1-2 Months)
Once you’ve reached MMI, your attorney will:
- Gather all medical records and bills – Hospital reports, surgical notes, physical therapy records, prescription costs
- Collect evidence – Photos of injuries, witness statements, animal control reports, dog’s history
- Calculate damages – Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical needs
- Draft a demand letter – Formal request to the dog owner’s insurance company with full documentation
Michigan Statute Reference: Under MCL § 287.351, Michigan’s strict liability dog bite law, your attorney doesn’t need to prove the dog was “vicious” or had prior incidents – only that you were legally on the property and didn’t provoke the dog.
Timeline: A thorough investigation typically takes 3-6 weeks. Rushing this phase can cost you tens of thousands in settlement value.
Real Case: James from Detroit was bitten by a pit bull while delivering packages in Southfield. His attorney spent 5 weeks investigating and discovered the dog had been reported twice before to Oakland County Animal Control – information that increased his settlement from $35,000 (initial offer) to $125,000 (final settlement).
Phase 3: Negotiation & Settlement (2-6 Months)
After the insurance company receives your demand letter, expect:
30-45 days: Insurance adjuster reviews claim and makes initial offer (typically 30-50% of demand)
60-90 days: Back-and-forth negotiation between your attorney and insurance company
90-180 days: Final settlement agreement reached (or lawsuit filed if negotiations fail)
Factors that speed up settlement: – Clear liability (you were on public property or lawfully on owner’s property) – Well-documented injuries with medical records – Cooperative insurance company with adequate policy limits – No disputes about provocation or trespassing
Factors that delay settlement: – Disputed liability (claims you provoked the dog) – Inadequate insurance coverage requiring pursuit of dog owner’s personal assets – Pre-existing injury arguments from insurance company – Multiple parties involved (landlord liability, dog sitter, kennel)
Michigan Example: Lisa from Grand Rapids was bitten at a dog park in Kent County. Clear surveillance footage showed the unleashed dog running across the park to attack her unprovoked. With undeniable evidence, her case settled in just 4 months for $92,000. Compare this to Michael from Ann Arbor, whose case involved disputed liability (insurance claimed he “startled” the dog). His case took 14 months and a lawsuit filing before settling for $78,000.
Phase 4: Lawsuit Filing (If Necessary) (6-18 Additional Months)
If settlement negotiations stall, your attorney may file a lawsuit. This doesn’t mean going to trial – over 95% of Michigan dog bite lawsuits settle before trial.
Michigan Court Filing Process: – Complaint filed: Your attorney files in Michigan Circuit Court (county where bite occurred) – Discovery phase: Both sides exchange evidence, depositions taken (3-6 months) – Mediation: Court-ordered negotiation session with neutral mediator (often results in settlement) – Trial: Rare, but if case goes to trial, adds 6-12 months
Why lawsuits sometimes accelerate settlements: Once a lawsuit is filed, insurance companies face: – Attorney fees and court costs – Risk of jury awarding more than settlement offer – Public record of their insured’s dangerous dog
Real Case: Patricia from Lansing was bitten by her landlord’s dog in Ingham County. The landlord’s insurance denied the claim, arguing she was a “trespasser” in her own rental unit. Her attorney filed suit, and during discovery, found emails proving the landlord knew the dog was aggressive. The insurance company settled within 2 months of the lawsuit filing for $210,000 – more than triple their pre-lawsuit offer of $65,000.
Factors That Affect Your Michigan Dog Bite Settlement Timeline
1. Severity of Your Injuries
Minor injuries (cuts, bruises): 3-6 months to settle
Moderate injuries (surgery, scarring): 6-12 months to settle
Severe injuries (permanent disability, facial reconstruction): 12-24+ months to settle
Why: More serious injuries require longer medical treatment, more documentation, and involve higher settlement amounts that insurance companies scrutinize heavily.
2. Insurance Company Cooperation
Fast-settling insurers in Michigan: – State Farm (often settles dog bite claims within 4-6 months with clear liability) – Allstate (reasonable negotiations on strong cases) – Nationwide (decent track record on straightforward cases)
Slow or difficult insurers: – Liberty Mutual (known for lowball offers and delays) – USAA (thorough investigations that extend timeline) – Smaller regional carriers (often lack dedicated dog bite adjusters)
Tip: Your attorney’s relationship with specific insurance companies can significantly impact settlement speed. Experienced Michigan dog bite attorneys know which adjusters are reasonable and which require aggressive litigation tactics.
3. Policy Limits & Available Coverage
Typical Michigan homeowners policy limits for dog bites: – Standard policies: $100,000-$300,000 – High-net-worth policies: $500,000-$1 million – Umbrella policies: Additional $1-5 million
If your damages exceed policy limits: – Attorney may pursue dog owner’s personal assets (home, savings, wages) – This process adds 6-12 months to timeline – May require placing liens on property or garnishing wages
Michigan Example: Robert from Dearborn was severely mauled by a Rottweiler, requiring $340,000 in medical expenses. The dog owner’s policy only covered $100,000. His attorney spent an additional 10 months pursuing the owner’s personal assets, ultimately recovering $280,000 total – but the extended timeline was necessary to achieve fair compensation.
4. Disputed Liability Issues
Fast-settling scenarios (clear liability): – You were mail carrier, utility worker, or delivery driver (performing lawful duties) – Dog escaped yard and attacked you on public sidewalk – Dog broke loose from leash in public area – Video evidence showing unprovoked attack
Slow-settling scenarios (disputed liability): – Insurance claims you were trespassing – Claims you provoked the dog (teasing, hitting, startling) – Argument that you weren’t “lawfully” on property – Conflicting witness statements about incident
Michigan Law Clarification: MCL § 287.351 requires victims to prove only two things: 1. You were legally on the property (or on public property) 2. You did not provoke the dog
You do NOT need to prove: – The dog was “vicious” or had bitten before – The owner knew the dog was dangerous – The owner was negligent
This strict liability standard helps Michigan dog bite cases settle faster than in “one-bite rule” states.
5. Your Attorney’s Experience & Strategy
Experienced Michigan dog bite attorneys: – Know local insurance adjusters and their settlement patterns – Have relationships with medical experts for testimony – Understand Michigan-specific case law and arguments – Can accurately value cases to avoid over-demanding (which delays settlement)
Inexperienced attorneys: – May over-demand, causing insurance company to dig in heels – May under-demand, leaving money on table – May not know when to file lawsuit vs. continue negotiating – May lack resources to fully investigate case
Real Difference: Two victims with nearly identical dog bite injuries in Wayne County: – Victim A (experienced attorney): Settled in 7 months for $143,000 – Victim B (general practice attorney): Settled in 19 months for $98,000
How to Speed Up Your Michigan Dog Bite Settlement
1. Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Why: Delays in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to claim injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by dog bite.
Do This: – Go to ER or urgent care within 24 hours of bite – Follow all doctor recommendations – Attend every physical therapy and follow-up appointment – Document everything with photos
Don’t Do This: – Wait days or weeks to see doctor – Skip appointments – Stop treatment prematurely to “speed up” case
2. Document Everything Thoroughly
Critical evidence to collect immediately: – Photos of injuries (take daily photos showing healing progression) – Photos of bite location and surroundings – Dog owner’s contact and insurance information – Witness names and contact information – Animal control report number – Medical records and bills (keep organized file)
Michigan-specific tip: Request the dog’s vaccination records from Oakland County, Wayne County, or Macomb County Animal Control. If the dog lacks current rabies vaccination, this strengthens your case significantly.
3. Don’t Communicate Directly with Insurance
Insurance adjuster tactics to delay settlements: – Asking for recorded statements (your words can be twisted) – Requesting unnecessary documentation repeatedly – Making lowball offers to frustrate you into accepting – Claiming “we need more time to investigate” indefinitely
Let your attorney handle all communication. This prevents you from saying something that hurts your case and keeps settlement timeline on track.
4. Be Patient With Medical Treatment
Biggest mistake victims make: Rushing to settle before full recovery.
Reality: You only get one settlement. Once you sign a release, you cannot reopen the case if: – Scars worsen and require additional surgery – Nerve damage appears months later – Infection develops requiring hospitalization – PTSD symptoms emerge requiring long-term therapy
Michigan Example: David from Novi settled his dog bite case for $28,000 after initial surgery healed his hand. Eight months later, he developed chronic nerve pain requiring two additional surgeries costing $47,000. He had no recourse – the settlement release barred any future claims.
5. Hire an Experienced Michigan Dog Bite Attorney Early
Why: – Attorneys understand insurance company delay tactics – They know when to negotiate vs. when to file lawsuit – They can accurately assess your case value – They protect you from settlement mistakes
When to hire: As soon as possible after the bite. Many victims make critical mistakes in the first 48 hours that delay or diminish their settlements.
Attorney fee structure: Most Michigan dog bite attorneys work on contingency (33-40% of settlement), meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.
Red Flags That Your Case is Being Unnecessarily Delayed
Watch for these warning signs:
❌ Insurance adjuster goes silent for weeks at a time – Tactic to frustrate you into accepting lowball offer
❌ Repeatedly requests the same documentation – Delay tactic or disorganized adjuster
❌ Makes verbal settlement offers but won’t put in writing – Not serious about settling
❌ Claims “supervisor must approve” for months – Standard delay excuse
❌ Offers settlement but refuses to explain how they calculated amount – Likely lowball offer hoping you’ll accept out of ignorance
If you see these red flags: Your attorney should consider filing a lawsuit to force the insurance company to engage seriously.
What Happens After You Accept Settlement?
Once you and the insurance company agree on settlement amount:
1-2 weeks: Insurance company drafts settlement agreement and release
Your attorney reviews: Ensuring language is fair and protects your interests
You sign release: Agreement that you won’t sue dog owner in exchange for payment
2-4 weeks: Insurance company issues check to your attorney’s trust account
Attorney deposits check: Waits for check to clear (7-10 business days)
You receive payment: Attorney deducts their fee, case costs, and medical liens, then issues you check for remainder
Total time from settlement agreement to money in your pocket: 3-6 weeks
Michigan Example: Carmen from Flint reached settlement agreement on May 15th for $112,000. She signed release on May 22nd. Insurance issued check on June 8th. After attorney’s 33% fee ($36,960), case costs ($2,400), and medical liens ($18,500), Carmen received $54,140 on June 20th – about 5 weeks after settlement agreement.
Michigan Dog Bite Settlement Timeline: Summary
Average timeline for Michigan dog bite settlements:
| Case Complexity | Medical Treatment | Negotiation | Total Timeline |
| Minor injuries (stitches only) | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 months | 3-5 months |
| Moderate injuries (surgery) | 2-6 months | 4-8 months | 6-14 months |
| Severe injuries (multiple surgeries) | 6-12 months | 6-12 months | 12-24 months |
| Complex cases (lawsuit filed) | 6-18 months | 12-24 months | 18-42 months |
Remember: A slightly longer timeline that results in fair compensation is always better than a quick settlement that leaves money on the table.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Michigan and have questions about your case timeline, contact an experienced Michigan dog bite attorney today for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain the likely timeline for your specific case, and discuss strategies to resolve your claim efficiently while maximizing your compensation.
Why choose us: ✓ Decades of experience with Michigan dog bite law ✓ Proven track record of settlements and verdicts ✓ We handle all communication with insurance companies ✓ No fees unless we win your case ✓ Free case evaluation with no obligation
Call us now at [PHONE NUMBER] or complete our online form. Don’t let insurance company delay tactics cost you the compensation you deserve.
Sources & References: – Michigan Compiled Laws § 287.351 (Strict Liability Dog Bite Law) – Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805 (3-Year Statute of Limitations) – Michigan Circuit Court Filing Procedures – Insurance Information Institute: Homeowners Insurance Dog Bite Liability – American Veterinary Medical Association: Dog Bite Prevention & Statistics