Northampton Dog Bite Attorney

A favorite destination over the years for dog owners in and near Northampton is the dog park located at 53 Burts Pit Road in Northampton. While there are many well-behaved and well cared for dogs, there also can be times when any dog could become possessive or startled and aggressive. When a dog bites or attacks an individual, the injury can be serious and painful. Many victims of dog attacks need to seek emergency department or urgent care treatment for wounds and possible infections including rabies, especially if the dog has not been vaccinated.

It is important to get medical treatment for your dog bite injury.
Take photos of your injury.
Get the name and addresses of the owner or person taking care of the dog.

The Dog Bite Law in Massachusetts:

For dog bites or dog attacks, Massachusetts law states that the owner or keeper of the dog is liable unless the victim was trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. The trespassing and provoking exception does not apply to children under 7 years of age. Even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, the Massachusetts law is strict liability – in other words there is no “one free bite.”

Why choose Attorney Shute to represent you?

Attorney Shute has experience in handling dog bite and dog attack cases. He is personally involved in all aspects of your claim for pain, suffering and financial harm caused by dog attack.

He understands the kinds of injuries that can result from dog bites including but not limited to bruising, infection, scarring, loss of function, nerve damage and tissue damage and emotional distress including fear of dogs, sometimes their own dog. When someone is attacked by a dog, the person often falls. Falling can cause neck, back, hip and shoulder pain and injury or even broken bones in addition to the puncture wounds from the bite. All these conditions may require treatment. You deserve thorough representation and fair compensation for your pain and suffering. Attorney Shute will handle the complex legal issues, so you don’t have to deal with insurance companies and their lawyers on your own.

Attorney Shute provides:

Prompt communication and updates throughout your case.
Individualized attention to your case by a small law firm.
Attorney Shute personally handles your case from start to finish

Get In Touch

Call Any Time

(413) 592-0999

Close to 70 percent of households in the United States own a pet and more than a third of those pets are dogs. The American Pet Products Association estimates that there has been a 50 percent increase in dog ownership since the 1980s.

It is important for parents to be aware that children who suffer a dog bite or attack can experience emotional stress from being exposed to a life-threatening and distressing event. Ask your pediatrician if a mental health counseling referral is advisable for your child.

Dog bite statistics, according to the CDC, show that 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year.

What Others Are Saying
About Us

My heart is full of gratitude to have had Attorney Robert Shute represent my son when he was injured in a auto accident. Attorney Shute’s kind, reassuring voice was the calm in the storm. He stood by my son while he was recovering and answered every question we had, and I had many! If you or your family or friends every need a lawyer, with years of experience, who knows just what to do, call Attorney Robert Shute. He’s the Real thing, not a T.V. actor lawyer. I feel truly Blessed to have had him by our side.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value I highly recommend Attorney Robert W. Shute as a personal injury attorney. I was injured in an auto accident several years ago and Attorney Shute provided me with high-quality legal representation to ultimately reach a favorable settlement. I was so satisfied with Attorney Shute's professionalism and timely communication that I recommended him to my family members and friends when they needed a personal injury attorney; they too were very satisfied with his legal services. Additionally, Attorney Shute has been an invaluable resource and mentor, sharing his vast law knowledge and experience with me in my practice of law as well.

If there was ever a person that you would want to represent you it is by far your best decision to use Attorney Bob Shute. My accident happened several years ago and Bob Shute never gave up and worked so hard for my best interest! He would explain everything in detail and would translate everything in layman’s terms so I would understood everything that was happening so that I was able to make the best decisions. He never gave up and fought hard for me! I would always recommend Attorney Shute for anything you needed!

I would highly recommend The Injury Office of Robert Shute to anyone in need of legal services. He is not only Honest, Reliable and caring, but his office is always professional, responsive, knowledgeable and resourceful. He explains the process entirely and does all he can to ensure a great outcome for all his clients. Attorney Robert Shute is will always be my first choice, if I need it again.

He was an amazing lawyer to work with and was always updating me whenever he got news with my settlement after getting hit by another car last year. He is excellent at explaining everything and gave great advice. Highly would recommend him to anyone.

I had a great experience with Attorney Shute. He spent time to understand my situation, worked hard to develop the case and was persistent in pushing it through the process and in the end he got me a very good settlement. He is very knowledgeable and easy to interact with too. Hiring him was a good investment and I definitely would use him again.

Attorney Shute is a great Lawyer! He represented me very well for the injury I got and he had my back the entire time. I highly recommend him!

Attorney Shute does an outstanding job. I can't say enough good things about him and his work. Through the entire process, he was very patient and professional and kept us informed of his progress. He always took the time to be sure we clearly understood our options and he secured a great and fair settlement in a very timely manner. He was really wonderful to work with during a very stressful time. I very highly recommend Attorney Shute!

Attorney Shute is an exceptional lawyer who practices law with honesty and genuine integrity to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients. He has a friendly staff and he is always available to answer questions about your case and explains every possible scenario so that as a client you are aware of all of your options and you remain well informed about the status of your case. My family and I have utilized his services on more than one occasion and his results have proven to be fair and reasonable. I would definitely recommend his services to others.

I was hit by a hit and run vehicle as pedestrian. I went through the motions as instructed by the proper people. Hiring an attorney was not something I had realized I needed to do. After being in the Dr's office overwhelmed by the paperwork and pain someone said, your Attorney will do that for you. So I went on a hunt. If you are looking for an Attorney who you can actually talk to on the phone, Attorney Shute is your guy. He was always very professional and he explained everything in a way I always understood. He is patient, a good listener and aware of my injuries making me comfortable. I don't hesitate to tell people he's a great choice. And oh yes, we won my case.

Attorney Shute helped me through a difficult legal process after I was injured in an auto accident. Although the case was complex, he carefully, methodically and patiently advised me over all the hurdles that were placed in our path. Even the smallest accidents can be traumatic and legal nightmares. Attorney Shute traveled to my home to meet with me while I was injured and so traumatized I was unable to drive. He is smart, capable, and accessible. I recommend him very highly to anyone in need of expert personal injury advice.

Robert did a fantastic job with my case. I can’t express that enough! Absolutely on point and very helpful!!! I recommend him to everyone!

I was dealing with a tough situation and needed legal guidance. Attourney Shute not only helped me through the process, he helped give me a better understanding of how the legal process works when dealing with various aspects of legal formalities. He is always punctual and pleasant as well and did a wonderful job of keep me in the loop of happenings and explaining aspects that I was not clear about throughout my experience. He made me feel more comfortable and confident with his legal guidance. I would recommend Attourney Shute to anyone in need of legal guidance or assistance and will guarantee you will be very satisfied with all the services and legal expertise he provides. Definately will be my go to Attorney on any legal matters

Attorney Shute was thorough, professional, and knowledgeable with our case. We highly recommend him!

I would like to thank Mr shute for all his help he went above and beyond for me yoou are the best I have could not have done this without you thanks to you I have a future again and I have no worries and God bless and thank you for everything you are the best I appreciate everything you've done for me and for my family thank you thank you thank you

What Do “damages” Include?

Damages is the legal term for monetary compensation. An injured person can sue for damages for medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

What Is Keeper Of The Dog?

In 2012, the Massachusetts Senate legislature enacted “An Act Further Regulating Animal Control.” Within this legislation “keeper of the dog” was defined as a person, business, corporation, entity or society, other than the owner, having possession of a dog. Be aware of the responsibility you assume if you care for the dog of a family member or friend.

The Text Of The Massachusetts Dog Bite Statute

If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, is under seven years of age at the time the damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action. (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155)

Free Consulation

Attorney Shute welcomes your call. 413-437-7788, Days, Evenings or Weekends for your Free Consultation to discuss compensation for your dog bite injury with Atty. Robert Shute, personally.

Northampton