Dog bites happen anywhere, whether you’re in the Public Garden, walking in the West End, or visiting a friend’s home. Even familiar dogs bite unexpectedly, especially if they feel scared, threatened, or protective. If you’ve been injured, a dog bite lawyer in Boston is here to help you recover.
Any dog, no matter the breed or size, will bite under certain circumstances. Under Massachusetts law, a dog owner is liable for losses their canine caused.
Jason Stone Injury Lawyers has been protecting the rights of injury victims since 2004. Over the years, we have served over 15,000 clients. Our Boston personal injury lawyers will help you get the compensation you need. To schedule a free consultation with experienced dog bite attorneys, Better Phone Stone®.
Experienced Boston Dog Bite Lawyers
Whether you’re in Boston or anywhere across the state, we’ll handle your case and offer peace of mind. As locals, we know the state laws inside and out, and we help fellow Massachusetts residents get much-needed compensation for their losses. When you work with us, you’re not just a client; you’re part of our community.
After a dog attack, you need a Boston dog bite attorney who delivers for you. Our law firm has a track record of successful case results. We know how to use the available evidence to build a winning claim.
Understanding Massachusetts Dog Bite Law
Massachusetts has a rule of strict liability regarding dog bites or other animal injuries. The owner is liable even if they took precautions to restrain the animal or prevent it from harming people. For example, if a dog were on a leash but still managed to escape and knock someone over, the owner is responsible for the resulting injuries.
Under strict liability law, you only need to show that you were injured in a public place or lawfully in a private space when the dog attack occurred. You don’t have to prove negligence on the part of the dog owner when filing a lawsuit, nor do you need to show that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior.
Our dog bite attorneys in Boston will investigate the incident and use all available evidence to establish liability in your dog attack case. Medical documentation links your injuries directly to the dog attack. Also, testimonies from people who saw the attack provide important context for what happened.
Liability When the Dog Owner Is Not Present
In Massachusetts, dog owners are responsible for their dogs’ actions, even if they’re not present. This also applies to anyone temporarily in charge of the dog, like a pet sitter or friend, who is called a “keeper.”
Suing a keeper is often difficult because they must have had control of the dog. Also, you are allowed to sue either the owner or the keeper, not both. A dog bite lawyer in Boston identifies the legal strategy best suited for your situation.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
In Massachusetts, dog owners are usually held strictly liable for your expenses, regardless of whether the dog that hurt you has a history of being vicious and attacking people. If the owner was negligent or the dog had a history of aggressiveness, you could be entitled to additional compensation.
If a dog bit you, you could get compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Disfigurement
- Plastic or corrective surgery
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
Punitive Damages
In some situations, a judge will decide that punitive damages should be given to a Massachusetts dog bite victim. These are awarded as punishment for someone’s reckless or intentional misconduct. Our Boston dog bite lawyers will determine if your case qualifies for punitive damages.
For example, perhaps someone knew a dog was vicious and repeatedly let it off its leash in a park where children played. If that dog then attacked a child, punitive damages will likely be awarded.
Identifying the At-Fault Party in a Dog Bite Case
If a dog attacks you, you can sue. Still, perhaps you’re hesitant to file a claim against a dog owner. Maybe the dog owner is your neighbor or friend, and you don’t want to cause any problems. However, there’s a good chance they won’t need to pay out of pocket to cover your medical bills.
Third parties will also potentially be involved with your case, and they could be held financially responsible. Your dog bite attorney with Jason Stone Injury Lawyers will investigate the animal attack and identify all parties that could be held liable.
Depending on the circumstances of your dog bite injury, your claim could be paid by:
- Dog’s owner: If the dog’s owner doesn’t have insurance that covers dog bites, they will likely have to pay out of pocket.
- Homeowner’s insurance: A homeowner’s insurance policy will typically cover dog bites sustained on the owner’s property.
- Animal insurance: There are insurance companies that sell coverage specifically for pet owners. If the dog’s owner has animal coverage, then this policy would cover your injuries.
- Animal keepers: Anyone who is responsible for the custody and care of an animal could be liable for injuries the dog caused. Examples include dog sitters and kennel workers.
- Car insurance: If a dog bites someone through the open window of a vehicle, then the owner’s insurance policy will typically cover the cost of your losses.
- Landlords: If the owner of an apartment knew or should have known a tenant owned a dangerous dog, then the landlord could be held liable for the attack.
As your dog bite lawyers in Boston, we carefully analyze the incident to identify the negligent party. We determine whether the dog’s owner is responsible or if someone else, like a person temporarily in charge of the dog, is liable instead.
We look at where and how the attack happened and whether the responsible person had control over the dog at the time. By gathering all the facts, we are able to determine who should be held accountable for your injuries.
Legal Guidance for Dog Bite Cases Involving Children
As a parent, you feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next after a dog bites your child who is younger than 17 years old. Our legal team will give you all the information you need to make informed decisions about your child’s future.
We will also simplify the legal process and handle your case so you’re able to focus on what is most important: your child’s well-being. In Massachusetts, there are specific laws that apply to incidents involving minors.
Parents should get an experienced dog bite lawyer for their injured children. After carefully reviewing the details of your case, a Boston dog bite attorney will explain how these local laws affect your situation and your options for pursuing compensation.
When the Injured Victim Is a Minor
If a dog bites a child under the age of seven, the General Law – Part I, Title XX, Chapter 140, Section 155 assumes that the child was not trespassing, teasing, or harming the dog. In such cases, the burden of proof shifts to the dog owner. It is their responsibility to demonstrate that the child was, in fact, engaging in one of these behaviors at the time of the bite.
When the Dog Owner Is a Minor
When a dog owner or keeper is a minor, the parents or guardians of that minor are legally liable for any injuries or losses caused by the dog. If the dog bites someone or causes property damage, the dog’s parents or guardians are likely responsible for covering the resulting costs.
Compassionate Legal Support After a Fatal Dog Attack
If you lost a loved one to fatal injuries after a dog attack, we offer our deepest condolences. The untimely loss of a loved one is devastating, especially when it happens under such tragic circumstances. As experienced wrongful death lawyers in Boston, we have offered compassionate legal support for many families.
When someone else’s negligence leads to death, surviving family members have the right to claim compensation from the negligent party. The amount of money you recover helps you and your loved ones be financially secure and build a better life together.
In Massachusetts, wrongful death compensation includes:
- The victim’s lost wages
- Loss of the deceased victim’s services, protection, and assistance
- Loss of the decedent’s care, companionship, guidance, advice, and comfort
- Funeral and burial expenses
Compensation also includes payment for the conscious suffering the deceased experienced from the dog bite before they died. This type of compensation provides some financial comfort to those who have lost their loved ones.
While getting compensated for funeral expenses is usually simple because you have records of those costs, calculating pain and suffering is more complicated. Our Boston wrongful death attorneys will use your experiences and testimonies from friends and family to determine a fair amount for these intangible losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Case in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts dog bite law sets the limit at three years for most cases. While this seems like a long window, it’s best to start your claim immediately after the dog bite incident. This allows your personal injury attorney to file all required paperwork on time and gather needed evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
The sooner you contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, the sooner our experienced Boston dog bite lawyers will begin building a solid case on your behalf. After reviewing your situation, we determine exactly how much time you have to file a dog bite case in Massachusetts.
Contact Our Trusted Massachusetts Dog Bite Attorneys Today
As part of our Stone Cold Guarantee® to our clients, you’ll never pay any out-of-pocket fees. We only get paid when you’re awarded a monetary settlement. Everyone is entitled to excellent legal representation regardless of their current financial situation.
Schedule your free consultation with Jason Stone Injury Lawyers at a time and location that’s convenient for you. We can also arrange for a session by phone, Zoom, or Google Voice. Start a live chat on our website or call us. Our dog bite lawyers in Boston are here for you. There’s no obligation, just information®.
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