Victim of dog bites or an animal attack? Get legal help from SINC LAW. At SINC LAW, P.C.  we understand that a dog bite or attack can not only be extremely painful, but also traumatic. Injuries are often serious, including scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, and sometimes death.

Dog Bites in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, dog attacks are governed by M.G.L. c. 140 § 155. The law imposes “strict liability” on dog owners and/or keepers of the dog. The law holds an owner or keeper of a dog strictly liable if the dog causes personal injury or property damage if the injured person was not trespassing, committing a crime, or otherwise teasing the dog.

Massachusetts law not only applies to dog bites but also applies to any injury that a dog causes to an individual. For example, if you are in a park or at a private residence and a dog jumps on you and causes you to fall and be injured, you may file a claim against the owner and/or keeper of the dog. It is important to know that in Massachusetts, owners and keepers of dogs are still liable for personal injury or property damage even if they had no prior knowledge that the dog would bite or cause injury.

Animal Attack: Types of Injuries

An animal attack can cause serious injuries, varying in levels of severity. Some common types of dog bites injuries are broken bones, brain damage, spinal cord damage, scars, nerve damage, rabies, and more. Disfigurement and emotional effects are also a common phenomena in canine attacks.

The animal attack lawyer can help you get compensation for medical bills and loss of wages. They may also be able to recover compensation for non-economic damages such as emotional trauma and any physical pain endured. If the animal attack leads to death, the surviving loved ones can file a claim for wrongful death damages with the help of an animal attack attorney. SINC LAW is a recognized personal injury law firm helping dog bite victims across Massachusetts.

What claim options do I have?

The pet owner can be held responsible, but victims need help understanding their rights and pursuing a claim for compensation. Each case is different so the value of compensation will be different too. Compensation values of particular dog bites are determined by several factors including:

• Medical expenses
• How long the injuries have impacted your daily life
• Lost wages due to missed work
• Emotional and physical trauma
• Scarring
• At SINC LAW, P.C. , our dog attack attorneys can calculate the full value of the claim and help you get your compensation as quickly as possible.

What steps should I take after a dog bite?

The first step to take is to seek medical care. The risk of infection from a dog bite is far too great to ignore. Next, identify the dog owner’s name, address, and proof of rabies vaccination. Take pictures of your injuries to show evidence in possible insurance claims. You may then pursue legal action against the owner or whomever is responsible for the care of the dog. As long as you were lawfully in the particular place when you were bitten or injured, you can pursue a damage claim. An experienced dog attack lawyer at SINC LAW, P.C.  can help you understand your options. Our dog attack attorneys offer free consultations and can help you understand if you have a case and answer any questions you may have.