Injuries from a dog bite can cause serious physical and emotional harm. If you were injured by someone's pet, our Massachusetts dog bite lawyers may be able to help you pursue compensation from a lawsuit. Contact us now for a free case review.
Why Choose Sokolove Law as Your Massachusetts Dog Bite Law Firm?
In 1979, Jim Sokolove founded Sokolove Law with the goal of helping people from all walks of life navigate the legal system and pursue the justice they deserve.
Our skilled dog bite attorneys in Massachusetts understand the pain and anxiety that can result from an unexpected injury, especially those that lead to expensive medical bills or an inability to work.
That’s why we fight for the most compensation possible on behalf of our clients.
Learn how our firm stands out from the rest:
Decades of Experience: For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has fought on behalf of clients injured through no fault of their own.
No Financial Risks: Our Massachusetts dog bite attorneys don’t charge any upfront or hourly fees — we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Track Record of Success: We’ve secured over $9.6 Billion on behalf of our clients across the country.
Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to find out if you may be able to file a dog bite lawsuit.
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Unfortunately, any dog is capable of biting and injuring someone — especially if they’re provoked. Massachusetts is no exception to these incidents, ranking 12th in the country for the number of dog bite claims filed.
The state has seen over 6,300 dog bite injuries requiring medical attention in a single year, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Children are most likely to be the victims of a dog attack, as many kids have not learned how to properly interact with dogs or recognize changes in their body language.
In the state of Massachusetts, however, the owner or caretaker of the dog is legally responsible for any injury their pet may cause others.
To differentiate dog bite injuries based on the severity of the wounds they cause, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) uses a system known as the Dunbar Bite Scale.
The six levels of dog bite severity include:
Level 1: Aggressive behavior but no contact between a dog’s teeth and a person’s skin.
Level 2: A dog’s teeth made contact but did not puncture the skin more than 1/10th of an inch, resulting in slight bleeding.
Level 3: One to four skin punctures from a single dog bite resulting in wounds no greater than a depth of half of the dog’s teeth.
Level 4: One to four skin punctures from a single dog bite resulting in wounds deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. In addition to blood, bruising around the bite often occurs at this level.
Level 5: Multiple dog bites or attacks, with at least two level-4 bites.
Level 6: Dog bites that result in the victim’s death.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries can range from mild to severe depending on the size of the dog as well as the location and depth of the bite.
Common dog bite injuries in Massachusetts include:
Bruising
Emotional trauma
Fractures and broken bones
Infections
Nerve damage
Puncture wounds
Scarring
Tendon or ligament damage
Death
Although dog bites are a well-known cause of injuries inflicted by dogs, harm can also arise from other incidents, like a dog jumping up and knocking someone over.
If you or a loved one was injured by someone else’s dog, you may be eligible to take legal action and pursue compensation for your injuries.
In Massachusetts, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of if their dog has previously demonstrated aggressive behavior or not.
State laws hold owners responsible for the cost of medical bills and other injuries, even if there was nothing they could have done to prevent the attack. However, there are exceptions to this law.
Dog owners and caretakers may not be considered liable for injuries caused by their dogs if the injured person was trespassing when attacked, or if they teased, tormented, or abused the dog before being attacked.
Compensation from a successful dog bite lawsuit is often secured from homeowners’ or renters’ insurance.
We can help you determine if you may be eligible to take legal action after a dog bite injury. Fill out our contact form now to learn more about your options for compensation.
How to File a Massachusetts Dog Bite Lawsuit
Dog owners in Massachusetts have a duty to protect the public from injuries caused by animals in their care. If they fail to do so, you may be able to pursue compensation through a dog bite lawsuit.
If you have a case, our dog bite attorneys in Massachusetts will handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Below are the steps to filing an animal attack claim in Massachusetts.
1. Contact Sokolove Law
Reach out to Sokolove Law for a free case review to determine if you may be eligible to file a Massachusetts dog bite claim.
During this time, we’ll ask you a few questions about your injury, so we can better understand the specifics of your situation.
2. We’ll Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
If you have a case, we’ll collect evidence to show that your injuries were directly caused by someone else’s dog and how you were impacted by these injuries, including:
Accident reports
Medical bills
Medical reports
Photos or videos
Witness statements
3. We’ll File Your Massachusetts Dog Bite Claim
Your Massachusetts dog bite lawsuit must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is a set of laws that limit how long you have to file a claim.
Once these deadlines pass, you won’t be able to file a claim or pursue compensation for your suffering ever again.
Contact Sokolove Law as soon as possible in order to ensure that your claim is filed on time.
4. We’ll Negotiate a Dog Bite Settlement on Your Behalf
Our attorneys will try to negotiate a Massachusetts dog bite settlement with the defendant(s), which may include the dog’s caretaker or their insurance company.
If a settlement is unable to be reached, our dog bite lawyers in Massachusetts are prepared to present your case in a trial and fight for a verdict on your behalf.
Get the Help You Deserve
Our experienced dog bite lawyers can help you understand your legal options during a free case review. Let us get you the money you deserve.
At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have recovered over $9.6 Billion on behalf of our clients across the country, including people impacted by dog bite injuries in Massachusetts.
Settlements for dog bites in Massachusetts are impacted by many factors, including:
Cost of related medical bills
Extent of emotional trauma
Lost wages from missed work
Severity of your physical injuries
While there’s no guarantee of success in any case, our Massachusetts dog bite lawyers will fight for the most compensation possible in your case.
Compensation from a dog bite claim can help pay for medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral services, and more.
Let a Massachusetts Dog Bite Lawyer at Sokolove Law Fight for You
At Sokolove Law, we know that a dog bite can lead to both physical and psychological damage. Fear and anxiety often accompany the scars left behind from an animal attack — and these injuries may have a lifelong impact.
Our dog bite attorneys in Massachusetts are compassionate and knowledgeable, and we are dedicated to holding those responsible for your suffering accountable.
Throughout the legal process, we will strive to make things as stress-free as possible for you and your family.
Additionally, our attorneys don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if you do, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
Let us fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form now for a free case review.
Massachusetts Dog Bite Injury Lawyer FAQs
What happens if a dog bites you in Massachusetts?
If you are bitten by a dog in Massachusetts, you should secure your safety and get the medical help you need.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, and some may lead to infections. In serious cases, you may need to call 911 for help.
After a dog bite, you should also:
Collect evidence, including a description of the dog, contact information of the owner and any witnesses, as well as photos of your injuries and where the attack took place
Record all related expenses, like hospital visits or lost wages from missing work
Contact a dog bite attorney, who may be able to help you pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit on your behalf
At Sokolove Law, our experienced Massachusetts dog bite attorneys have decades of experience helping clients injured through no fault of their own get justice.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to learn if we may be able to help you file a dog bite lawsuit in Massachusetts.
Can you sue for a dog bite?
Yes. If you were injured by someone else’s dog, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner or caretaker.
However, you may not be able to pursue legal action following a dog bite if you were trespassing or if you teased, tormented, or abused the dog before being attacked.
Does Massachusetts have a one bite law?
No, Massachusetts does not follow the “one bite” rule. Massachusetts is a strict liability state, which means the owner is always responsible for their dog’s behavior, regardless of if they previously believed their dog was aggressive or not.
In addition to strict liability, dog bite laws in other states include:
One-bite rule: Dog owners or caretakers may be held responsible for injuries caused by their dog if they were aware of their dog’s previous tendencies to act aggressive or violent
Shared fault: If a victim’s actions were partially to blame for a dog biting them, the amount of compensation they are eligible for will be adjusted based on how responsible they were for the events that took place
Who is at fault for a dog bite in Massachusetts?
The owner of the dog or the person charged with the dog’s care — like a dog walker or family friend — may be considered responsible for any injuries from a dog bite.
Why do I need a lawyer for an animal attack in Massachusetts?
While not required, it is highly recommended to hire a lawyer for an animal attack lawsuit, as these cases can be complex and insurance companies may not offer what you deserve.
By working with an experienced attorney, you may improve your chances of getting compensation and holding the dog owner responsible for your injuries accountable.
Fill out our contact form today for a free, no-obligation case review.
How much does a Massachusetts animal attack lawyer charge?
At Sokolove Law, there are no hourly fees or out-of-pocket costs to work with our dog bite attorneys in Massachusetts.
We work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we only get paid if your case results in compensation.
How long after a dog bite can you sue?
You only have a limited amount of time to file a Massachusetts dog bite lawsuit due to unique laws in each state known as the statute of limitations.
Once this deadline passes, you won’t be able to sue for your injuries again.
Fill out our contact form now to learn how our attorneys may be able to help you file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.
Ricky A. LeBlanc is the Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law. As Managing Attorney, Ricky is responsible for all communications with prospective clients and, along with his team of paralegals and case managers, review all potential cases.
Children are most likely to be the victims of a dog attack, as many kids have not learned how to properly interact with dogs or recognize changes in their body language.
