Lowell Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
If you have been attacked or bitten by a dog in Lowell, Massachusetts, you have legal rights. Massachusetts is a strict liability dog bite state, meaning that the owner of the dog is typically responsible for bites, attacks and injuries, regardless of fault or negligence. However, you may run into issues collecting fair financial compensation from a pet owner. If you need assistance with a dog bite injury claim from an experienced attorney, Merrimack Valley Injury Lawyers is here to help.
When Do You Need a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer?
You have enough to worry about as the victim of a dog bite injury without also taking on the legal process alone. Hiring a lawyer removes the legal burden from your shoulders, allowing you to concentrate fully on healing and moving forward with your life after a traumatic dog attack.
Your lawyer will take care of tasks that can be difficult without a legal background, such as navigating Massachusetts’ dog bite laws, filing a claim against a pet owner and defending yourself if the pet owner (or their insurance company) refutes liability. You can trust your lawyer to defend your rights and best interests every step of the way during the recovery process.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
When some dogs attack, the victim’s injuries can be catastrophic or even fatal. The strength of a dog’s jaw and the sharpness of its teeth can result in permanent or life-threatening injuries. The claws of a dog can also be sharp enough to cause lacerations and serious wounds. Some of the injuries associated with violent dog attacks in Massachusetts include:
- Broken bones
- Bruising
- Contusions
- Crush injuries
- Cuts, scrapes and deeper lacerations
- Emotional injuries and phobias
- Evulsion (the tearing away of skin)
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Puncture wounds
- Rabies and other diseases
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Soft-tissue injuries
Recovering from a dog bite injury may require painful wound debridement, fluids and IVs, stitches, antibiotics, reconstructive surgeries, and even medical amputations. The emotional side of a dog attack can also take a long time to mend. If you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in a dog attack in Lowell, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills and numerous other losses.
Massachusetts Dog Bite Laws
Massachusetts General Law Section 155 – the state’s dog bite statute – states that the owner or keeper of a dog (or the parent or guardian of an owner who is a minor) that causes damage to the body or property of any person shall be liable for such damage. This is a strict liability law, meaning that the victim of a dog attack does not have to prove that the pet owner was negligent or knew of the dog’s viciousness. It is enough to show that the owner’s dog caused the injuries being claimed.
Massachusetts’ strict liability dog bite law might not apply, however, if the pet owner can prove that at the time of the dog bite injury, the victim was trespassing, committing a tort, teasing or tormenting the dog, or abusing the dog. Note that these defenses generally do not apply to a child who is under the age of seven years old at the time that the damage is done. You may need an attorney to help you combat these defenses if they are brought forward during your dog bite injury claim.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation in Lowell
Despite the immense physical and emotional damage that a dog attack can cause, a pet owner’s insurance company may try to avoid paying you the amount that you deserve under Massachusetts law. The best way to protect your rights is by hiring a dog bite injury lawyer in Lowell to represent you.
Contact Merrimack Valley Injury Lawyers to discuss your recent dog attack with a personal injury attorney near you at no obligation. We offer free case consultations in Lowell and the surrounding areas. Call (978) 722-4733 today.