New Bedford Dog Bite Lawyers

Attacked by an Animal? Call Morgan & Murphy!

Dog bites cause serious injuries every year in Massachusetts. Over the past 35 years, lawyers at Morgan & Murphy have represented more than 10,000 adults and children who have been victims of various accidents, including dog bites and animal attacks.

We have helped countless clients receive compensation for:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• And more

Let us see if we can help you secure fair compensation, too!

Dog Bite Laws in Massachusetts

Massachusetts laws state that dog owners, in most circumstances, are strictly liable for their dog’s actions and can be held responsible when their dogs bite or attack someone for a variety of reasons. The most common reason why a dog attacks someone is that it was provoked or attacked first.

Adults who provoke a dog can lose their rights to compensation, but children are generally considered unable to provoke a dog due to their general lack of understanding regarding the potential consequences. In either circumstance, our New Bedford dog bite lawyers can help see what sort of legal action should be followed.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Caused by Dog Bites?

Every city, town, and municipality in Massachusetts has some form of a leash law that requires owners to restrain their dogs or maintain control of their dogs in public places and on public streets. Failing to control an aggressive or large dog when a stranger is near can be the cause of a vicious attack.

Violent dog attacks can cause:

• Lacerations
• Infections
• Nerve damage
• Permanent disfigurement
• Loss of mobility
• Death

What to Do After a Dog Attack

Here are some steps you should keep in mind if you or your child ever suffer a dog bite injury in Massachusetts:

• Seek medical attention: Immediate medical assistance is crucial when dealing with puncture wounds since such wounds are prone to infection and not all dogs are vaccinated against rabies. If possible, try to get a few pictures of the wounds before receiving treatment to ensure you have evidence that accurately depicts the amount of harm done.
• Swap contact information: Dog bite incidents are a lot like car accidents in many ways. Not only is it necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible, but both you and the negligent dog owner should exchange contact information, such as names and addresses to contact them later on. You will need to verify the dog’s vaccination history, too, so be sure to get the dog’s name and breed.
• Obtain witness contact information: If anyone witnessed the attack, it is imperative that you obtain their information as well. Eyewitness accounts can offer the support your claim needs to give you a better chance of securing compensation for your injuries.
• Reach out to animal control: People often skip this step because they are afraid of the consequences it might have on the dog. The fact is that filing a report with the local animal control agency can help keep similar incidents from occurring in the future and might even help your own case. The animal control officer can also tell you about the dog’s vaccination history and any aggressive incidents it might have caused in the past.

How to Prevent Dog Attacks

While many adults understand how to behave around dogs and know not to pet one without asking first, children are less aware of the risks. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are between the ages of 5 to 9 are the most frequent dog bite victims.

Your child should know the following dog safety rules:

• Never pet a dog without asking the owner first
• Always let a dog sniff you and see you before petting it
• Never run away from or toward a dog without warning
• Remain calm if an unfamiliar dog approaches you, avoid eye contact eyes, and slowly back away
• Put whatever you can between you and the dog or roll into a ball, keep your face covered, and be still if you are attacked

Who Is Liable for Dog Bite Claim Damages?

Most homeowners or premises liability insurance companies pay for injuries arising out of dog bites or attacks, but only when liability is proven satisfactorily. Due to strict liability laws, insurance companies often try to offer our clients quick and inadequate settlements that will shut the case right away.

You shouldn’t sign any settlement offer without showing it to our experienced New Bedford dog bite injury attorneys, though. We can check to see if it is enough to adequately compensate you for all of your damages.

You might be able to get damages that help pay for:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Revision surgery
• Counseling
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring

Put 80+ Years of Combined Experience on Your Side With Morgan & Murphy

If you or a family member has been the victim of a dog bite or attack, please seek immediate medical care and contact an experienced New Bedford dog bite injury lawyer at Morgan & Murphy.

Our lawyers can:

• Meet with you at your home or hospital room
• Investigate the circumstances surrounding the dog bite
• Speak with witnesses
• Obtain medical records
• And deal with insurance company adjusters to help you get the best possible results

Every step we take while working on your claim, we take to make your life a little easier while going through such a difficult time.