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Attleboro Dog Bite Lawyer
If you have been bitten by a dog in Attleboro, MA, the irresponsible dog owner may be required to pay your medical treatment and compensate you for any time you lose from work, disfigurement, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and any other losses. Attleboro Dog Bite Lawyer Tracy Paulsen has assisted hundreds of dog bite victims in their fights to obtain justice.
While dogs can be loyal and rewarding companions, bad dogs and bad owners can cause injuries to innocent people. Dog attacks can cause devastating injuries, disfigurement, illness, or even death. They can also result in lasting psychological damage, especially for children bitten by dogs. If you or your child have suffered a dog attack or dog bite in Attleboro, MA, the team at Rightful Legal is here for you.
The first step in getting compensation for your dog bite injury is to contact an experienced Attleboro Dog Bite Law Firm. An Attleboro Dog Bite Lawyer can help protect your rights and make sure you recover the maximum possible damages for your injuries. Dog Bite Attorney Tracy Paulsen can guide you through every step of making and proving your claim.
If you have experienced a dog bite or dog attack, you can contact our Attleboro Dog Bite Attorneys at Rightful Legal today online. You can also reach us by calling 617-821-5856.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Attleboro, MA
Dog attacks are terrifying, and they happen quickly. You should seek medical treatment immediately after a dog bite. Injuries resulting from dog bites can be devastating and include:
- Permanent Disfigurement
- Amputations
- Scarring
- Nerve Damage
- Puncture Wounds
- Cuts or Lacerations
- Broken Bones or Fractures
- Disease or Infection, including Tetanus or Rabies
- Fear of Dogs
- Other psychological or Emotional Problems, and
- Death
For Attorney Tracy Paulsen, representing those suffering from dog bites is part of her passionate fight for justice. Rightful Legal is on a mission to hold reckless dog owners responsible for the harm they have caused you and get you the compensation you need to recover and rebuild your life.
What is the Law about Dog Bite Lawsuits in Attleboro?
Dog bites and attacks can happen unexpectedly, and they can happen anywhere. Whether you’re jogging in a park, walking along a sidewalk, or visiting someone’s home or property, you can be attacked by an aggressive dog in an instant. According to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 155, a dog’s “owner or keeper” is strictly liable if their dog bites, attacks, or injures you. This means that regardless of whether the dog had shown aggression before, the owner is legally responsible for any personal injury or property damage their pet causes.
Massachusetts law provides that a dog does not necessarily have to bite for you to recover compensation. If a dog jumps on you, scratches you, or otherwise acts aggressively and causes harm, the owner may be liable. Massachusetts’ strict liability law also applies even if the owner tried to restrain, leash, or muzzle their dog.
However, there are exceptions to strict liability for dog bites and dog attacks. If the owner can prove that you were trespassing, committing a crime, or provoking the dog through teasing or tormenting, you may not be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The law assumes that children under the age of seven were not engaging in any wrongful actions, but this can be disproven. An experienced Attleboro Dog Bite Lawyer can help protect your claim against defenses commonly raised by irresponsible dog owners and their insurance companies.
⇨ If you are interested in pursuing a Massachusetts Dog Bite claim, call Rightful Legal at 617-821-5856. Our team can provide a free, confidential consultation to evaluate your unique case.
What is the Value of a Dog Bite Claim in Attleboro, MA?
While recoveries vary widely, the average dog bite settlement is worth approximately $50,000. Severe cases, particularly those involving young children and/or facial injuries, can obtain compensation of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Dog bite victims can obtain damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and income capacity
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement if the scarring is visible and extensive
- Permanent disability
- Diminished quality of life and loss of intimate relationships
- Wrongful death
What Should You Do if You Are Attacked by a Dog in Attleboro?
- First, get medical care for your injuries and discuss treatment with your doctor, including rabies testing, wound care, and mental health effects.
- Report the dog bite promptly to police.
- As soon as you can, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the dog if possible.
- Obtain the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance details. An attorney can assist you with this process.
- Keep track of your physical, mental, and financial losses, including medical bills and lost wages.
- Consult a Massachusetts dog bite attorney to explore your compensation options.
If you’ve suffered a dog attack and need guidance on maximizing your compensation, an experienced Massachusetts dog bite attorney, such as Tracy Paulsen and her team at Rightful Legal, can help you protect your rights and explore your legal options.
How Long Do You Have to Bring a Dog Bite Claim?
In Massachusetts, there is a strict three-year deadline to file a Dog Bite Lawsuit. This three-year clock starts ticking from the date of your injury.
Waiting to take action can cost you your entire Dog Bite Case. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to find the evidence you need to prove your claim. If you’ve been a victim of an Attleboro, MA dog attack, take action today.
⇨ Contact Dog Bite Attorney Tracy Paulsen today at 617-821-5856 or online. The team at Rightful Legal is ready to help you determine your exact date of injury and make your dog bite claim in time.
How Severe is Your Dog Bite?
The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale, developed by veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar, categorizes the severity of dog bites into six levels:
- Level 1: Aggressive behavior without skin contact.
- Level 2: Teeth make contact with skin but do not cause punctures; may result in minor redness or bruising.
- Level 3: One to four shallow punctures from a single bite, with none deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth.
- Level 4: One to four deep punctures from a single bite, with at least one deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth; may include bruising or tears from the dog shaking its head.
- Level 5: Multiple bites at Level 4 severity or a concerted attack.
- Level 6: Victim death.
Regardless of severity, dog bites can have a lasting impact on victims, and you should not have to navigate the process of proving your claim and obtaining compensation alone. An Attleboro law firm with experience in dog attack lawsuits can help.
Why You Should Contact an Attleboro Dog Bite Attorney Now
You may be eligible to bring a claim and obtain significant compensation if:
- You were attacked unprovoked by a dog in Massachusetts, AND
- You have suffered an injury or illness because of the attack.
If eligible, you should consult with an experienced Massachusetts Dog Attack Lawyer as soon as possible. Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her dog bite law firm, Rightful Legal, are passionate about holding irresponsible dog owners accountable for the injuries they have inflicted on innocent people.
You should contact an experienced Attleboro Dog Bite Attorney today. Be careful not to lose your one chance to receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Why Trust Rightful Legal with Your Attleboro Dog Bite Claim?
Rightful Legal is an Attleboro Dog Bite Law Firm with over fifteen years of experience. At Rightful Legal, we provide a completely free, no-obligation consultation to help you understand your dog bite case. This consultation is totally confidential.
Contact Rightful Legal Now
Our team is here to assess your Attleboro dog bite case, collect all of the evidence needed, estimate your damages, handle all case filings, negotiate fair settlements, and, if necessary, represent you in court. It is crucial that you do not wait to contact Rightful Legal. You should act now to protect your dog bite claim and receive the treatment and monetary compensation you deserve.
Call 617-821-5856 or contact our Attleboro Dog Bite Attorneys at Rightful Legal immediately online. Attorney Tracy Paulsen is ready to help you obtain justice for your terrifying ordeal.
This article was reviewed by Tracy Paulsen, an Attleboro Dog Bite Lawyer with over fifteen years of experience handling dog bite claims and dog attack claims. She is a barred Attorney in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
