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.
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(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.
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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
90 Conz St,
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 437-7788
Free Case Evaluation
Free Consultation
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.