Personal Injury Caused by Dog Bite or Dog Attack
Choosing a Massachusetts Dog Bite or Animal Attack Lawyer

When it comes to attacks by dogs, Massachusetts law is very strict: The owner or keeper of a dog is strictly liable for personal injuries, scarring, and wrongful death caused by a dog bite or dog attack. It is necessary to prove that the defendant was the owner or keeper of the dog. It is not necessary to prove that the dog has caused personal injury before, or that the dog is vicious, though it is well known that some breeds, like the pit bull, may attack even when unprovoked. The injured person must show that he or she was not teasing or tormenting the dog, and that trespassing was not involved. The exact text of the Massachusetts law is reprinted below.

Fortunately, most dog bite, dog attack, and other animal bite injuries are covered by homeowner’s insurance. In Massachusetts, homeowner’s insurance covers liability (bodily injury) and sometimes provides medical payments coverage to the person injured by the dog bite or dog attack. Important consumer tip: If you are the owner or keeper of a dog, you should check with your insurance company to see that the dog is covered, and if not, should consider switching insurance companies.

Dog bites and dog attacks can cause very serious personal injuries. Dog bites can cause scarring—often facial scarring—other disfigurement, and often severe psychological trauma. Dog bites on children, because of their small size, are very frequently on the face. The psychological injury caused by a dog bite or dog attack can often be permanent. If a dog attacks a bicyclist or a pedestrian, other personal injuries may result from being knocked to the ground, including fractures or dislocations.

The dog bite attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck have handled several Massachusetts dog bite, dog attack, and other animal bite injuries, including personal injuries for children and adults, and including police dog attacks.

Choosing a Massachusetts Dog Bite and
Dog Attack Lawyer

You should hire a lawyer you feel comfortable with. Your dog bite attorney should be familiar with the law, and you should have confidence in your lawyer. The lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have the experience, and would be pleased to consult with you when you are choosing who will represent you.

Please see our page on How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer for more information on getting help for Massachusetts dog bite and dog attack injuries. Our Massachusetts Personal Injury Case Reports describe many of the personal injury cases we have successfully handled on behalf of our clients. For an example of a dog attack on a child, see this dog bite case report.

Because the statute of limitations in Massachusetts applies to dog bite cases, victims have a limited time in which to file their cases. If you feel you have a dog bite or dog attack case, it is vital that you act immediately to protect your rights. Please call us at 617-723-7676 (or toll free at 1-800-379-1244), use our contact form. Get your free legal consultation today with an experienced dog bite attorney at Breakstone, White & Gluck, P.C.

Dog Attack Case Reports

These are a few of the dog bite cases we have handled.
 

Dog Bite - Severe face injury from dog bite, scarring, emotional distress	$450,000	Details
Dog Bite - Bite on ankle of elderly woman leads to infection, sepsis, wrongful death	$300,000	Details
Bicycle Accident - Dog chases cyclist causing crash and multiple injuries	$150,000	Details

The following is the text of Massachusetts law on dog bites:

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, § 155.
Liability of Owner for Damage 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 such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, is under seven years of age at the time the damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action.