Why Hire a Massachusetts Dog Bite Injury Lawyer?
Dog bites affect nearly 5 million Americans who are bitten by dogs each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly half of the people who are injured by dog bites in the United States are children. Around 800,000 Americans seek medical attention each year for injuries from dog bites. 386,000 need emergency room treatment. Each year, 16 people are killed by dogs. The psychological trauma that comes with an animal attack is not included in the CDC’s statistics.
Dogs bite is an unfortunate fact of human life. Any dog, of any breed, can bite. Dog bites can range from a simple nip to severe injuries. Dog bites that cause serious injuries are grounds for the owner to be held responsible. The dog bite victim should seek compensation for any medical bills, pain, suffering, or other damages.
If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that occurred in the Boston area or anywhere else in Massachusetts, the personal injury attorneys at Scalli Murphy Law, P.C., want to help you.
Massachusetts Dog Bite Law & Massachusetts Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
Dog bite injuries can cause serious injuries that may require months of rehabilitation. Although you can’t technically hold the dog responsible for the injury, an experienced law firm will help you to recover financial damages from the owner.
You may be eligible for compensation if you or someone you love has been bit by a dog. An Everett dog bite lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the dog owner who caused your injuries. You can also sue the dog owner for damages if your claim is denied.
Massachusetts has strict liability dog bite laws that protect dog bite victims. A dog owner is held strictly liable for any damage done to the body or property of another person. Massachusetts is considered a strict liability state relative to dog bites.
Massachusetts Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
Massachusetts Dog Bite Law
The so called Massachusetts dog bite law is codified in Section 155 Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140. Unlike in other states where there is the “first bite free” laws, Massachusetts does not take that approach. In Massachusetts the owner or keeper of a dog is strictly responsible for injuries to people or property by their dog, except in cases where the injured person was “was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog”, unless the injured person is under the age of 7.
An experienced dog bite lawyer will be able to help you assess the situation and determine any potential liability. If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, call one of our Attorney’s in Everett, MA for a free case evaluation and to discuss your options.
Time Limits on Massachusetts Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits
The period of time in which a person may file a lawsuit for dog bite injuries in Massachusetts is three (3) years from the date of the injury. This is what is known as the statute of limitations. Although a dog bite lawsuit in Massachusetts must be filed within three years of the dog bite. It is important that many steps be taken well in advance of that date to ensure maximum compensation for your injuries. You should contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer immediately. Our experienced dog bite injury lawyers are here to explain the next steps in the process. Our office is conveniently located in Everett, MA. Lawyers experienced in handling catastrophic dog bite injuries are here to help.
Massachusetts Dog Bite Insurance Coverage
Many different types of insurance policies cover injuries caused by dog bite and dog attacks. If you or a loved one are the victim of a dog attack or have suffered a dog bite, you should contact experienced dog bite lawyers now that will be able to investigate all available insurance policy coverages. For example many homeowners insurance policy carry liability coverage for dog bite victims and injuries caused by dog attacks. Many renter in Massachusetts are also require rental policies which often include coverage for dog bite victims.
If the owner or keep of the animal that caused the dog bite injury carries any of these coverage it is important to find out quickly so that the dog attack victim’s right can be preserved and maximum compensation be available to them. Our attorneys have over 25 years experience handling dog bite injury lawsuits in Massachusetts. We will discuss all options available to you in the event you are injured by a dog Attack.
Defenses to Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits in Massachusetts
The only defenses available to dog bite injury lawsuits are that the person injured by the dog bite was trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dig prior to being attack. First, if the dog bite victim was attacked while trespassing on the property of the dog’s keep or owner, they will likely be able to raise this defense. Further, if the dog bite victim was teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog or in anyway provoking the dog to respond, the owner or keeper of the dog will be able to raise this defense. These defenses will not be able to be raised if the dog bite victim is under the age of seven years.
Experienced Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
Unlike in other states Massachusetts dog bite law does not require that the owner or keep know that the dog had a propensity to bite, bit someone before, or this was their first dog attack. In Massachusetts, the owner or keep of a dog is strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog. Consulting an experience dog bite injury lawyer is an important first step in taking control and moving on from the situation. Our experienced Massachusetts dog bite injury lawyers will listen to you and advise you of your next steps forward.
What is Strict Liability in Boston Dog Bite Injury Claims?
More than half American states have the presumption that dog owners are responsible for the actions of their pets. Massachusetts is one of these states. The term “strict liability” means that the dog owner is responsible for the dog bite injury, even if the victim does not prove that the owner caused the attack – the law presumes that liability falls on the dog owner. Additionally, the dog does not need to have a history of aggression in order for the victim to collect damages.
To recover damages, you must be able to demonstrate that:
- You suffered an injury caused by a dog
- The defendant had control or was the keeper of the dog / is the dog’s owner
- You did not provoke the dog attack or dog bite
Wondering if you may be able to bring a personal injury charge against a dog owner? Our Massachusetts dog bite lawyers can help! Scalli Murphy Law, an experienced Boston area personal injury law firm, can help examine the facts of the incident to prove that you are not at fault for what happened to you and follow the necessary procedures to take legal action on your behalf.
Compensation You Could Collect From a Dog Bite Claim
A dog bite case is a personal injury claim that seeks to recover money for your reasonable and necessary damages such as:
- Medical costs and expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damages
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and Emotional distress / Mental Anguish
Often people are most damaged by the physical scarring and the psychological trauma of being attacked by an uncontrollable animal. A Boston dog bite attorney can help you total your economic and non-economic damages and use this information in settlement negotiations or in litigation.
A Boston Dog Bite Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights
You may not be able to agree with the dog owner to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. They might make it out to be your fault and deny you any compensation. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you protect your rights by helping with your claim, gathering strong evidence the other side cannot ignore, and making sure that you account for all damages.
Speak to a Boston Dog Bite Attorney Today
Scalli Murphy Law, P.C. has the experience and resources to help you through these difficult experiences. We have a strong support staff and knowledge of representing those injured in dog bite/attacks in Boston and surround areas.
If you have been attacked by a dog, or know someone who has, call an experienced Everett personal injury lawyer at Scalli Murphy Law today. And as always, we do not collect any fee unless we recover for your injuries.
