Boston Dog Bite Lawyer

How to Handle Dog Bites and other Injuries Caused by Dogs

Sometimes man’s best friend isn’t so friendly.

For centuries, dogs have made wonderful pets and provided mankind with companionship, service for the visually impaired, and utility for everyone from ranchers to canine police units. But on occasion, often for unknown reasons, dogs attack and people get hurt. Frequently these attacks are unprovoked and no fault of the dog owner. Whether you’re facing or tasked with defending a dog bite lawsuit, our Boston dog bite lawyers can help.

There are strict liability laws in Massachusetts against dog owners or their handlers for any harm caused by a dog. Strict liability simply means that if certain criteria are met, the dog owner or its handler is responsible – regardless of whether he was personally at fault in any way. Even if the dog owner or handler had no reason to suspect that his dog could be a danger to others, he is still liable. First, however, you should get the medical care you need. Then you can deal with the liability and compensation issues.

What if it’s an injury caused by something other than a dog bite?

The same liability principle applies.

Here are two examples:

• We represented a man who was simply out riding his bike on a sidewalk. A dog came bounding out of the adjacent woods across the man’s path. The resulting collision sent the man into mid-air, causing him to suffer a severe hip fracture that required surgery. Our Boston dog bite lawyers were able to get him a six-figure settlement.
• We also represented a woman who fell and injured herself when someone else’s dog circled her, causing her to become entangled in the dog’s leash. We were able to get her a settlement for pain and suffering as well.

As you can see, dogs can cause injuries in a number of ways. There are laws that protect your rights and Boston dog bite lawyers like us to help facilitate your medical care and get you compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering.

What’s covered if you’ve been the victim of an injury caused by a dog?

In most cases, the victim’s homeowners insurance will cover the damages associated with a dog bite or other injury caused by a dog, including:

• Medical care
• Lost wages
• Rabies immunizations
• Scarring
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering associated with the injury

What kind of proof do you need?

Under Massachusetts’ general laws (chapter 140, section 155), the dog bite victim needs to show four things:

• The defendant is the owner or handler of the dog.
• The person who was injured by the dog was not trespassing or in the process of committing a crime.
• The injury victim was not teasing or tormenting the dog.
• The victim was, in fact, injured by the dog.

Knowing your legal rights and what you may be entitled to is half the battle.

The other half is having the right legal team on your side. We have helped literally hundreds of dog bite victims during our more than 55-years of experience as dog bite lawyers in Boston. But the first step is getting the necessary medical attention; your health and well-being always come first. After that, give us a call and tell us your story. We’ll listen, give you honest answers and put our experience to work for you.

Call us today at 1-800-660-2270 for a free consultation from our professional and talented Boston dog bite lawyers. If we take on your case, it will cost you nothing until and unless we get an award or settlement for you.

Boston Dog Bite Lawyer Case Achievements

Realtor Bit by Dog during Property Showing – $375,000.00 Settlement