Average Dog Bite Settlement in Michigan
How a Dog Bite Settlement Is Calculated
If a dog has bitten you or someone you love in Michigan, the first question is usually: how much is my case worth? There is no official Michigan average — what your claim is worth depends on your injury and on Michigan’s dog-bite law (below). Across the dog bite cases our firm has resolved, settlements have averaged about $49,900 (median $22,700), ranging from $1,000 to $505,000. If you’d rather just talk it through, we’re here 24/7 — call 866-592-4837.
What is the average dog bite settlement in Michigan?
Across the dog bite cases our firm has resolved nationwide:
- Average settlement: ~$49,900
- Median settlement: ~$22,700 (the “typical” case)
- Range: $1,000 to $505,000
The average is higher than the median because a handful of severe-injury cases (facial wounds, surgeries, permanent scarring) pull the average up. For most people, the median is the more realistic benchmark for what an everyday dog bite claim looks like.
A quick word on these numbers: every case is different, and past results never guarantee a future outcome. These figures are gross recoveries from real cases before attorney’s fees and costs, shared to give you a realistic starting point, not a promise.
Dog bite law in Michigan
Michigan is a strict-liability state for dog bites. Under MCL 287.351, if a dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property and did not provoke it, the owner is liable for all damages — regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten before or the owner knew it was dangerous. (The statute covers bites specifically; a dog that knocks someone down is handled under ordinary negligence.) You have three years to file (MCL 600.5805), and Michigan uses a modified comparative-fault rule: your own share of fault reduces economic damages, and if you are more than 50% at fault you cannot recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering (MCL 600.2959).
How our dog bite settlements break down
We don’t yet have enough resolved Michigan cases to publish a Michigan-specific average, so here is how our dog bite settlements break down nationwide:
About half of all dog bite cases settle between $10,000 and $50,000, while roughly 1 in 7 exceed $100,000 when injuries are severe. In 2025, the Insurance Information Institute reported Michigan had about 1,432 dog-bite liability claims, with insurers paying an average of $68,018 per claim — the third-highest claim volume of any state, and an insurer payout figure, not a settlement. (State Farm separately paid $8.4 million on 178 Michigan dog-injury claims in 2022.) Michigan also ranked 9th nationally for dog attacks on postal carriers (174, USPS 2025).
Real dog bite settlement examples
Illustrative outcomes from real cases our firm has resolved (nationwide). Details are generalized to protect client privacy; amounts are gross recoveries before fees and costs.
- $505,000: Severe attack with multiple surgeries and permanent disfigurement
- $275,000: Significant scarring and lasting nerve damage
- $151,000: Deep puncture wounds requiring surgical repair
- $100,000: Facial injury to a child
- $50,000: Moderate injury with visible scarring
- $22,500: Single bite requiring an ER visit and follow-up care
- $5,000 – $10,000: Minor bite, treated and healed without lasting injury
What affects how much your dog bite case is worth
- Severity of your injuries. Puncture wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, and infections all raise a claim’s value.
- Scarring and disfigurement. Permanent or visible scars (especially on the face) significantly increase compensation.
- Medical bills and future care. Surgeries, reconstructive procedures, and ongoing treatment are all recoverable.
- Lost wages. Time missed from work, and any lasting impact on your ability to earn.
- Emotional trauma. Anxiety, PTSD, and fear of dogs are real injuries the law recognizes.
- Insurance coverage. Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. If the owner has no insurance, recovering money becomes much harder.
- Your state’s dog bite law. “Strict liability” states (like Illinois) make it far easier to recover than “one-bite” states.
Because the severity of the bite matters most, see typical settlements by Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 bites, or see average dog bite settlement amounts across all cases.
Two cases that sound similar can settle for very different amounts. The biggest factors are:
How to find out what your dog bite case is worth
Try our Dog Bite Settlement Calculator for an instant ballpark based on your injuries.
Talk to us directly. A free case review gives you a far more accurate picture than any calculator, because we’ll look at the specifics insurance companies care about.
You don’t have to guess. There are two easy ways to get a real estimate:
Bitten by a dog? Find out what your case is worth.
Our team is available 24/7. Contact us via call, email, text, or chat.
Michigan Dog Bite Settlement FAQs
There is no official Michigan average. Value depends on your injury and Michigan’s strict-liability law. Across all the dog bite cases our firm has resolved, settlements have averaged about $49,900 (median $22,700), from $1,000 to $505,000.
Strict liability. Under MCL 287.351 the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog never bit anyone before, as long as you were lawfully present and did not provoke the dog.
Three years from the date of the bite (MCL 600.5805).
Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault you can still recover economic damages like medical bills, but not non-economic damages such as pain and suffering (MCL 600.2959).
Strict liability helps, but insurers still lowball and can argue provocation. Our consultation is free and you pay nothing unless we win.