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What to Do After a Dog Bite in Massachusetts
About 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year, and if you are one of them, knowing what to do in the aftermath of a dog attack is critical. Early medical care is key for dog bite injuries, for the risk of rabies, infection and head and neck injuries, especially in children.. So is having a strong advocate in your corner as you recover from your dog bite injuries. Insurance companies pay approximately $1 billion in total damages for dog bite claims each year. If you have been attacked by a dog in Massachusetts, Dog Bite Lawyer Tracy Paulsen can guide you through this difficult time and help you obtain the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
At Rightful Legal, we represent dog attack victims from Boston, Bristol County, and all of Massachusetts. We know that a dog bite can be a very traumatic experience, leaving you with physical injuries and psychological pain. You may have loved dogs previously and now find yourself afraid of them. You may have missed work due to the dog attack. Injuries like disfigurement, mental health problems, nerve damage, and scarring can be permanent and leave a lasting effect on your life. Massachusetts dog bite victims are often able to bring a legal claim in order to receive damages to compensate for their injuries. Attorney Paulsen, A Massachusetts personal injury attorney experienced in canine attack litigation, can advocate on your behalf and help you get your life back after a devastating dog injury
Dog bites are far too common and can lead to serious and even fatal injuries, including:
- Injuries to the head and face
- Soft tissue injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Infections
- Nerve injuries
- Injuries to the arms and legs
- Nerve damage
- Emotional injuries
- Disfigurement
- Facial disfigurement
- Permanent scarring
For Attorney Tracy Paulsen, representing Massachusetts residents bitten by dogs is an important part of her career-long fight for justice. As a longtime dog owner herself, Attorney Paulsen understands how shocking dog attacks can be. Pets typically provide unconditional love and companionship, and an animal attack at the hands of another owner is often unfathomable.. Dog bites are often considered preventable injuries, and Rightful Legal’s mission is to hold irresponsible dog owners accountable for how they have let their dogs attack and injure you or your loved ones.
Attacked by a Dog?
Contact Attorney Paulsen Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Call 617-821-5856
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What Should You Do After a Dog Attack in Massachusetts?
- Before you do anything else, make sure that you are safe. As soon as you can, physically separate from the dog to prevent another incident. Make sure that there is a physical barrier between you and the dog, especially if the dog is still at large. If the situation is a medical emergency, immediately call 911.
- Collect information about the dog and owner. If it is possible and safe for you to do so, get the dog owner’s name and address. Also ask for proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination.
- Collect information about any witnesses. If safe and possible, obtain the names and contact information of any bystanders who may have witnessed the dog attack or hear the commotion.
- Seek immediate medical attention. You should be medically evaluated, even if you think that your injuries are minor. Dog bites can become easily infected. Early medical intervention is key. You may require stitches, antibiotics, vaccinations, or other treatment only a medical professional can provide. Additionally, if you forego medical treatment, an insurance company may use this later to question the authenticity or severity of your injuries.
- Document your injuries. As soon as possible, take good, clear pictures of all of your wounds and bruises. You should also take pictures of any property or items that have been damaged.
- Keep all the evidence. Preserve all of the clothing worn during the dog attack, as well as any other items damaged or bloodied in the attack.
- Report the dog bite promptly to the authorities. If you are seriously injured, call 911 right away. If the situation is not an emergency, you can report the attack to animal control or to a non-emergency police phone number.
- Write down your account of the dog attack. As soon as you can, write or type everything that you remember about the dog attack. Although this may be painful, it is important to record this account while it is still fresh in your mind.
- Contact Rightful Legal to represent you and protect your legal rights following the dog attack.
It is important that you do not speak with any insurance companies before talking with a personal injury attorney.
Massachusetts Dog Attack Lawyer Tracy Paulsen knows how terrifying and overwhelming this experience can be. She also knows that the aftermath of a dog bite can retraumatize you as you try to recover and obtain compensation for your injuries. Rightful Legal will Fight for Your Rights as we advocate for you through this entire process.
What Damages Can You Get in a Dog Attack Lawsuit?
Damages clients may recover in dog bite lawsuits include:
- Past and future medical costs including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, emergency room bills, therapy, and travel to and from medical treatment.
- Past and future lost income for time missed from work due to your injuries and treatment
- Compensation for disfigurement and scars
- Compensation for lost limbs, lost fingers, or other lost body parts
- Compensation for loss of senses, such as hearing or vision
- Compensation for psychological injuries and emotional distress
- Compensation for damage to property such as clothing, phones, or other items damaged in the attack
Families who have tragically lost a loved one to a dog attack, whether immediately or due to complications, may be eligible to recover damages for wrongful death.
Every case is unique, and your recovery depends on your individual circumstances. Relevant factors include things like your income, how much time you miss from work, and the severity of your injuries. Many people believe that a dog owner can only be held responsible for a dog attack if their dog has bitten someone before. In Massachusetts, that’s not usually the case.
Are You or Someone You Love a Victim of a Dog Bite?
Contact the Rightful Legal Injury Lawyers Now to Advise of Your Legal Rights.
Call or Text 617-821-5856
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What Does Massachusetts Law Say about Dog Attacks?
In Massachusetts, the law holds dog owners to a high standard when it comes to preventing their pets from harming others in public. If a dog is off of its leash in a public place and attacks someone, the owner can be considered negligent, and the injured person has the right to pursue a claim for damages.
Massachusetts law follows a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. This means that even if the dog had no prior history of aggression or regardless of whether the owner acted negligently, the owner is still liable if the dog bites someone. Typically, the victim does not need to prove that the owner was careless or that the dog behaved dangerously in the past. The dog bite itself is usually enough to hold the owner responsible.
Liability under Massachusetts dog attack law isn’t only limited to dog bites. Even if a dog causes injury in another way, such as knocking someone over out of excitement or aggression, the owner may still be held accountable. The key legal question to establish liability is whether the injury was reasonably foreseeable and whether the owner failed to control their dog appropriately.
That said, there are exceptions to strict liability in Massachusetts. Dog owners are generally not liable if the injured person was trespassing, committing another civil violation, or provoking the dog on private property. Provoking a dog can include teasing, threatening, or physically harming the animal. Massachusetts law presumes that children under the age of seven did not provoke the dog, unless the owner can prove otherwise.
If you’ve been injured by a dog, whether through a bite or another type of attack, it’s important to understand your legal rights under Massachusetts law. Rightful Legal represents clients in Boston, Bristol County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County and throughout Massachusetts in dog attack cases helping them get the compensation they deserve while they recover from this traumatic episode and often severe injuries.
Why You Should Contact a Massachusetts Dog Attack Attorney Now
You may be eligible a claim for a dog bite if:
- You suffered an injury because of a dog attack and
- The dog belonged to someone else and you were not trespassing, committing a crime, or provoking the dog at the time of the incident.
At Rightful Legal, Attorney Tracy Paulsen has over 15 years of experience representing personal injury victims, including those harmed by dog attacks. Known for her compassion and determination, Attorney Paulsen has successfully recovered compensation for clients suffering from bite wounds, infections, scarring, emotional trauma, and more. Our team understands how traumatic a dog attack can be, and we are here to help you move forward with clarity and strength.
We offer free, confidential consultations to review your case—there is no obligation to hire us afterward. We simply want to make sure you understand your legal rights and options, as one dog lover to another.
Contact Rightful Legal Now
Don’t wait. In most cases, you only have three years from the date of the dog attack to file a personal injury claim in Massachusetts. Waiting too long could mean permanently losing your right to seek compensation.
Rightful Legal will handle every aspect of your Massachusetts dog bite case, keeping you informed each step of the way, while you focus on your health and recovery. Our Dog Attack Lawyers will fight tirelessly on your behalf, collecting evidence, preparing witnesses and experts, formulating an iron clad case, and negotiating with profit-focused insurance companies to get you the maximum compensation we can. If the insurance company lowballs you, we will take your case to court and fight for your rights in the courtroom.
Attorney Paulsen is a Massachusetts native, and she understands firsthand the complexities of dog attacks and the resulting trauma. Her mission is to protect the rights of fellow Massachusetts residents against wrongful and negligent acts.
Contact us today to protect your dog bite case and file your claim before time runs out for you to pursue justice. Call or Text Attorney Paulsen Directly at 617-821-5856 or contact Rightful Legal Online Today to Schedule a Free Case Review.
Tracy Paulsen, the managing attorney of Rightful Legal, legally reviewed this article.
