Call Earley Before It’s Too Late!Even the best dog can bite, especially when scared or startled. The Boston Public Health Commission receives over 300 dog bite reports in the city every year. Many of the victims are children, and over half of dog bite injuries occur at homes where the residents know the dog. In many cases, the dogs did not have a previous history of aggression.
If a dog bite required you or a loved one to seek medical care, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses under Massachusetts law. A Boston dog bite attorney from Earley Law Group can help you seek full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Clients can attest to the value of our legal services — just look at our more than 700 Google reviews praising the “Earley Experience.” It’s our guarantee to work diligently to deliver the best possible results in your personal injury claim, and it’s a responsibility we take seriously.
We know your dog bite case is important to you. Rest assured, it’s important to us, too. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Who Gets Bitten by Dogs in Boston?
Because they have less ability to avoid or ward off an aggressive dog, young children and elderly adults are more likely to be bitten by a dog than any other population.
The injury rate in dog bite cases is highest in children between the ages of five and nine. Young children may approach a dog when they shouldn’t, such as while it is eating, or unknowingly mistreat the animal by pulling its tail. In most cases, a dog bite victim was interacting with a dog they knew at the time of the attack, such as a pet or dog belonging to their friends or neighbors.
Delivery workers and postal workers are also susceptible to dog attacks. Many domestic dogs instinctively protect their territory and/or owners from strangers.
How Severe Are Dog Bite Injuries?
Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Minor dog bites may require prompt washing and bandaging. More severe dog bites may cause:
- Puncture wounds
- Cuts and lacerations
- Torn tissues (avulsion)
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Infections, including rabies
- Emotional trauma, including anxiety, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Death
You should seek immediate medical attention for any dog bite that leaves the victim with:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Badly torn skin and bleeding
- Trauma to a person’s head, face, neck, hands or feet
- Signs of infection, such as pain, swelling, warmth, redness, fever, pus, or red streaks leading from the wound
- Minimally broken skin and no way to verify the dog has had a current rabies vaccine (e.g., the dog is a stray)
Sometimes, a dog attacks its victim with multiple bites and scratches. Large dogs may bite and not let go, causing:
- Crushing injuries
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic or surgical amputations
Victims knocked down by a dog that has attacked and bitten them may also suffer injuries from the fall, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Broken bones
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee damage
- Sprains and strains
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Breeds Commonly Involved in Dog Bites
Any dog may bite you. Experts differ when asked which dog breeds are most likely to bite, except that almost all will top their list with pit bulls, or the American Pit Bull Terrier. Pitt bulls are often cited as being responsible for most fatal dog attacks.
In addition to the pit bull, dog breeds often cited in dog bite reports include:
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd
- Husky
- Malamute
- Doberman Pinscher
- Mastiff / Bull Mastiff
- Mixed breed (“mutt”)
- Chow Chow
- Great Dane
How to Report a Dog Bite in Boston
If you receive medical care for a dog bite, state law requires the healthcare provider to report it to the local animal inspector within 24 hours.
If possible, you should get the dog owner’s contact information and the dog’s vaccination history to provide to your medical provider. The owner will be required to quarantine the dog for 10 days to check for rabies.
You should also report the dog bite to your homeowners’ insurance company as soon as possible. If you have medical bills, miss work, lose income, or suffer other losses, you may be able to file a civil claim against the dog’s owner for damages.
Legal Liability for Dog Bites in Boston
Massachusetts dog bite laws make it a strict liability state, which means dog owners can be held liable if their dog bites or mauls someone in most cases, regardless of the animal’s history or the owner’s actions. The plaintiff in a dog bite injury case does not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent or knew that the dog was dangerous.
A dog owner can be held liable the first time their dog hurts someone and for any subsequent attacks. The law also applies to a dog’s “keeper,” anyone responsible for the dog at the time, such as a dog walker or sitter.
Massachusetts law provides certain exceptions to the application of strict liability in a dog bite case:
- Trespassing or another tort – A person trespassing, breaking in, harassing, or assaulting the dog owner when bitten would not have a valid claim. This does not apply to children younger than 7.
- Provocation – A person who was teasing, tormenting, or otherwise abusing the dog would not have a dog bite case. (Not applicable to children under 7)
- Public service dogs – If a police dog bites someone, the law enforcement officer handling the dog is not liable if the incident was connected to official duties. A claim against the officer’s employer may be possible.
Contact Our Boston Dog Bite Lawyers Today
If you have been bitten and injured by a dog in Boston, you may be able to recover compensation for your costs and losses, including pain and suffering damages. Don’t count on the dog owner’s insurance company to simply cut you a check — or certainly not one that reflects all that you are owed.
Contact a Boston dog bite lawyer at Earley Law for help. We aggressively pursue maximum compensation for our clients and will not collect a legal fee unless we obtain compensation for you. Check our track record and call us now for a free consultation.
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