Massachusetts Dog Bite Lawyer

Injured by a Dog in Massachusetts? 

Serious dog bite injuries and dog attacks are on the rise in Massachusetts with the increased popularity of more aggressive dogs such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. According to the CDC, there are about 12 fatalities from dog bite injuries annually nationwide, along with thousands of serious injuries requiring emergency medical treatment. Dogs attacks to the face or arms and legs often involve injuries in the form of abrasions, lacerations, tissue loss, crushing wounds, fractured bones, and punctures.  Often a permanent disfigurement or scar is involved, or worse. 

Any Dog Can Be Dangerous

Although the breeds traditionally considered to be dangerous (e.g. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepards) are the most likely to cause the most harm and serious injuries due to their size and strength, any dog that is mistreated, trained to attack, or put in a dangerous situation by the dog owner's negligence. 

An irresponsible dog owner can create a situation where serious injuries and even death can occur. Small breeds can cause serious injuries, especially to small children.

Children now make up more than half of the victims of dog bites nationwide. Often the dog is owned by the family, or a neighbor or friend.

MA Dog Bite Law Injury Claims

Under Massachusetts law, the owner of the dog is fully responsible for injuries caused by dog bites or dog attack, unless the person injured was "trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog". If the dog attacks someone under 7 years old, even those restrictions do not apply, and the owner is deemed 100% responsible in all cases.

Dog attack injuries are generally covered under the dog owners homeowner's policy, as part of their personal liability. I will also make sure you or your child get a fair deal that may include costs of long term medical expenses, damage from permanent scarring, and even post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if that is a factor.

Get the Legal Help You Need

If you've been injured by someone's dog, it's likely that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, and it is critically important to get legal help right away. You have only a limited amount of time to file a claim in court.

Call me in my Boston or Brockton,  Massachusetts office now about your dog bite injury or dog attack incident in MA at (617)523-5010 for a free case consultation, or contact us via this form.

Boston, MA Dog Bite Injury Attorney

For more information on dog bite laws, take a look at the dog bite law site.

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Massachusetts Dog Bite Laws - Excerpt

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS - Chapter 140: Section 155 Liability for damage caused by dog

"If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless ...[the person] ... was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog."