While dogs are frequently referred to as man’s best friend, they are still animals with animal instincts. It is important to be alert when interacting with any dog, regardless of familiarity or the dog’s breed or size. Massachusetts dogs may attack for many reasons, including fear, misinterpretation of body language, hunger or agitation due to neglect. Children are especially vulnerable to Massachusetts dog bites and are often bitten in the face. Massachusetts dog attacks frequently cause serious injuries, such as cuts, scars, disfigurement, disability, emotional trauma, and in some particularly tragic cases, even Massachusetts wrongful death.
What to do in the event of a dog bite under Massachusetts law?
Under Massachusetts law, you may have the right to file a claim against the owner of the dog who caused your injury. Injuries other than an actual dog bite may also be included in your claim for money damages, such as injuries arising out of a trip and fall caused by a dog, or a bicycle accident or motorcycle accident caused by a dog’s actions.
What should I do for medical attention after a dog attack for injuries sustained?
After a dog bite, you should seek immediate medical treatment in order to ensure that the dog was not carrying any disease and that your injuries do not get worse. You should also identify the dog owner, and gather as much information regarding the dog’s vaccination status as possible.
What if the owner of the dog has no insurance?
Generally, dog bites are covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. In Massachusetts, a homeowner’s insurance policy often covers liability for bodily injuries caused by a dog, and may well also pay for the injured party’s medical bills. However, some insurance companies have recently adopted exclusions in their policies for injuries caused by a dog, and many dog owners do not own their residence and thus have no homeowner’s insurance. If the dog owner does not have insurance, or their policy does not cover injuries caused by dogs, then the only remedy is to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog.
In these scary and confusing times, you need an experienced Massachusetts dog bite lawyer to defend your rights. The Massachusetts dog attack attorneys and Massachusetts animal attack lawyers at the Boston Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates can help you recover monetary compensation for your damages sustained in a Massachusetts dog attack. Massachusetts dog bite victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, disfigurement and emotional pain and suffering. For families who have lost a loved one due to a Massachusetts dog attack, our Massachusetts dog bite wrongful death lawyers can help you recover money to pay for funeral expenses, loss of future income and benefits, and loss of companionship.
In Massachusetts, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog so long as the person injured was not trespassing, teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog. Strict liability means that an injured party must only prove that the dog caused injuries and was owned by the defendant, rather than proving the duty, breach, causation and damage elements of a normal negligence suit.
Massachusetts has also enacted certain ordinances pertaining to dogs, which are designed to protect dog owners and the public. These ordinances provide, among other things:
Every dog owner must obtain a license for their dog each year. In order to obtain such a license, the dog owner must provide proof of rabies vaccination.
Unlicensed dog owners may be cited for violation of dog licensing laws.
If a dog is anywhere other than on the owner’s private property, the dog must be on a leash. Additionally, when not confined to an owner’s property, a dog must be under the control of its owner.
Boston and some other Massachusetts communities have ordinances which require dog owners to remove and properly dispose of any feces left by their dogs on sidewalks, streets, parks or the private property of others.
Recoverable Damages
Under Massachusetts law, victims of Massachusetts dog attacks are eligible to recover compensation for injuries resulting from a Massachusetts dog owner or Massachusetts dog keeper’s failure to prevent the dog from causing injury. Individuals who sustain injuries in a Massachusetts dog attack may also recover damages from Massachusetts dog owners who violate Massachusetts laws that prohibit dogs from roaming unrestrained. A Massachusetts dog keeper that owns a dog with a history of causing injuries, and that was previously issued a restraining order by an Animal Control Officer, may be liable to the injured party for three times the value of their damages sustained in the Massachusetts dog attack.
A dog bite can undoubtedly cause severe emotional distress, along with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases, even wrongful death.
The Massachusetts dog bite lawyers and Massachusetts dog attack attorneys at the Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates will thoroughly investigate your case, gather all relevant evidence, and help you calculate your estimated damages resulting from your Massachusetts dog attack. Our Boston, MA dog bite injury lawyers will fight tirelessly on your behalf to make sure that you receive full and just compensation for your injuries from all possible sources.
Our Boston, MA dog bite attorneys and Boston, Mass dog attack lawyers provide compassionate and knowledgeable counsel and representation to our Massachusetts dog bite clients through every step of their cases. Our Boston dog attack lawyers aim to settle your claim with as little hassle as possible. Our Massachusetts animal attack lawyer specialists know how to negotiate with Massachusetts insurance companies to make sure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries sustained in a Massachusetts dog attack. Our Boston, MA dog bite attorneys will diligently work to defend your rights, and are fully equipped to litigate if necessary.
Contact Our Boston, MA Dog Bite Injury Attorneys Today at 617-787-3700 or Email Our Boston Dog Bite Lawyers at info@gilhoylaw.com.
You have legal rights with respect to your Massachusetts dog bite claim. Our Massachusetts dog bite attorneys will ensure they are honored.
If you are one of the nearly 4.7 million Americans who have been bitten by a dog this year, you know that it is no laughing matter. Not only are dog bites painful and terrifying, but they can also be life threatening. Anyone who has been bitten by a dog in Massachusetts should always have, at the least, a blood test to ensure that no contagious disease has been contracted.
Our Boston Dog Bite Attorneys Will Get You Fair Compensation For Your Massachusetts Dog Bite Claim.
Medical treatment is an expense you should not have to incur on top of the ordeal of a Massachusetts dog bite. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts holds Massachusetts dog owners strictly accountable if their pet attacks and causes injury. This means that you are entitled to monetary compensation for your medical costs as well as any trauma that you have experienced as a result of the Massachusetts dog bite attack.
At the Boston, Massachusetts dog bite and animal attack Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates, our Massachusetts dog bite personal injury lawyers have extensive experience with respect to Massachusetts dog bite cases and are experts at getting our Massachusetts dog bite clients the justice and compensation that they deserve.
Massachusetts has a Statute of Limitations for filing a Massachusetts dog bite case. In other words, there are time limits in which you can file a Massachusetts personal injury claim against the owner of the offending dog. If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog in Massachusetts, don't wait until it is too late. Please call our Massachusetts dog bite injury attorneys at (617) 787-3700 now or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com to discuss your case with our Boston dog bite lawyers.
Our Massachusetts animal bite injury lawyers will be pleased to provide you with a free initial consultation about your Massachusetts animal bite injury. Call today!
Our Massachusetts dog bite personal injury lawyers are proud to represent Massachusetts dog bite personal injury clients from throughout the Commonwealth.
The Boston, MA Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates specializes in Massachusetts dog bite cases and is a team of Boston, MA lawyers from some of the best law offices in Massachusetts, including expert Massachusetts dog bite personal injury lawyers and expert Massachusetts animal attack injury attorneys, who have been personally selected by Attorney Hoy because of their skill, experience and expertise. Many of the Boston, MA dog bite injury lawyers who are available to our Massachusetts clients through referral agreements have been repeatedly selected and recognized as among the very best Massachusetts personal injury lawyers.
With an experienced group of some of the very best Massachusetts dog bite lawyers and animal attack lawyers that the Commonwealth offers, our Boston dog bite attorneys and animal attack law office is confident that our handling of your dog bite and animal attack claim will go beyond your expectations. Our over-riding goal is to provide you or your loved one with top of the line legal service and assistance with respect to your Massachusetts dog bite and animal attack claim, while earning your confidence, loyalty, trust and respect. Our Boston, MA dog bite and animal attack law office would be honored and pleased to represent you or your loved one, and we would be delighted to provide you with an initial free and confidential consultation with respect to your Massachusetts dog bite and animal attack claim.
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