Michigan Dog Bite Settlement Calculator & Compensation

Understanding Michigan’s Dog Bite Law

Michigan has one of the strictest dog bite laws in the country. Under MCL 287.351, the law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog — even if the dog never bit anyone before.

That means:

• You don’t need to prove negligence.
• The owner is responsible as long as you didn’t provoke the dog and were lawfully on the property.

However, Michigan also follows a modified comparative fault rule (MCL 600.2959) — and this can reduce or even eliminate your settlement if you share blame.

Let’s see how that works.

Comparative Fault: How Responsibility Affects Your Claim

Your compensation depends on how much fault, if any, is assigned to you.
Here’s how the math works under Michigan law:

So, if the dog owner’s insurance adjuster argues you provoked the dog or trespassed, it could dramatically reduce your payout.

The calculator applies this rule automatically.

How the Michigan Dog Bite Calculator Works

The Michigan Dog Bite Settlement Calculator estimates a potential settlement value based on multiple real-world factors, including:

1. Victim & Incident Details

The calculator adjusts based on:

• Age of the victim (e.g., children and elderly victims may receive higher compensation due to vulnerability)
• Trespassing status (lawful vs. trespassing)
• Provocation level (whether the dog was provoked)
• Gender (minor multiplier for demographic risk differences)

2. Injury Severity

This section uses the Dunbar Bite Scale, a widely used measure of dog bite severity:

• Level 1–2: Minor bites or scratches
• Level 3–4: Deep punctures or tearing
• Level 5–6: Multiple bites or fatal attacks

It also considers:

• Injury location (facial and head injuries often lead to higher settlements)
• Injury type (fractures, nerve damage, scarring)
• Physical impact (temporary vs. permanent disability)
• Psychological trauma (including anxiety or PTSD)

3. Economic Damages

These are the direct financial losses:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Property damage (e.g., torn clothing, broken glasses)

4. Pain & Suffering

Pain and suffering damages are calculated as a multiplier of your medical costs and injury severity.
For example, a deep puncture wound with permanent scarring could lead to a pain multiplier of 4.0–6.0 times your medical expenses.

5. Insurance Policy Limits

If the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance has a payout limit (for example, $300,000), that cap may restrict your total settlement — even if your damages are higher.

The calculator automatically applies this cap and shows both pre-cap and post-cap estimates.

Example Settlement Estimate

Let’s run a sample case:

Scenario:

• Victim: 12-year-old girl (minor)
• Lawfully on property
• Unprovoked attack
• Severe facial bite (Dunbar Level 4)
• Permanent scarring
• $15,000 in medical costs
• $5,000 future medical costs
• Homeowner’s policy limit: $300,000

Estimated Result:

• Economic Damages (medical + costs): $20,000
• Pain & Suffering: $150,000+
• Total Estimated Settlement: ~$170,000
  (Capped at $300,000 if policy allows full payment)

The 51% Bar Rule — When Compensation Stops

Michigan’s 51% fault bar means:

If you are more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover money for pain and suffering.

For example:

• If you were teasing or provoking the dog → likely over 50% fault
• If you were trespassing and got bitten → same issue

The calculator flags these cases with a warning message so you understand when the law may block recovery.

Why Use a Dog Bite Calculator?

The Michigan Dog Bite Settlement Calculator is designed to give victims a realistic, data-based estimate of what their case could be worth — not a random guess.

It helps you:

• Understand what affects your payout
• Learn how fault and injury severity matter
• Prepare for conversations with insurance adjusters or lawyers
• Get clarity before contacting an attorney

It’s free, private, and based on Michigan’s actual statutes and damage models.

Important Legal Note

This calculator provides an educational estimate, not a legal guarantee.
Settlement values depend on real evidence, attorney strategy, medical documentation, and insurance negotiation.

For personalized advice, always consult a Michigan dog bite lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you:

• Gather evidence and medical records
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• File a lawsuit before Michigan’s three-year statute of limitations