Massachusetts law is on your side. Dog owners are responsible for the harm their animals cause.
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Massachusetts has some of the strongest dog bite laws in the country. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs. This means you do not need to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of aggression — if a dog injures you, the owner is responsible. At Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we ensure dog bite victims receive full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Unlike many states that follow a "one bite rule," Massachusetts imposes strict liability on dog owners. Under MGL Ch. 140 § 155, if a dog causes injury to a person who is not trespassing or provoking the dog, the owner or keeper of the dog is liable for all damages. This applies regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had ever bitten anyone before. The only defenses available to dog owners are that the victim was trespassing or that the victim provoked the dog. For children under age seven, the law presumes the child did not provoke the dog, placing an even greater burden on the owner.
Dog bites and attacks can cause serious and lasting injuries including deep puncture wounds and lacerations, permanent scarring and disfigurement, infections including rabies and tetanus, nerve damage and loss of function, broken bones from being knocked down, and severe emotional trauma including PTSD, anxiety, and phobias. Children are particularly vulnerable to dog attacks and often suffer facial injuries that require multiple reconstructive surgeries over many years. We fight for compensation that covers not just immediate medical care but all future treatment and the emotional impact of the attack.
Dog bite victims in Massachusetts may recover compensation for all medical expenses (including plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures), lost wages and lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress and psychological treatment, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and property damage. In cases involving particularly reckless dog owners — such as those who knew their dog was dangerous and failed to restrain it — additional damages may be available.
Dog bite claims in Massachusetts are typically covered by the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. These insurance companies, however, will still try to minimize your compensation. They may argue provocation, trespassing, or try to downplay the severity of your injuries. Our attorneys handle all communications with the insurance company and fight for the maximum compensation available under the law. The statute of limitations for dog bite cases in Massachusetts is three years from the date of the attack.
No. Massachusetts is a strict liability state for dog bites. You do not need to prove the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Children under seven are presumed by law to not have provoked the dog, making the owner's defense much harder. We handle dog bite cases involving children with special care and attention to long-term scarring and emotional impact.
Usually, yes. Most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies cover dog bite liability. We identify all available insurance coverage to maximize your recovery.
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