Haverhill Dog Bite Lawyer

Did a dog bite and injure you? Dog bites are more than just painful—they often also leave you with long-term injuries, ongoing emotional trauma, and a lifetime of medical expenses. 

Fortunately, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If a dog has bitten and injured you, you’d Better Phone Stone® and let us be your Haverhill dog bite lawyer. 

At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we focus on local cases, and we make sure to take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home. With over two decades of experience, our Haverhill personal injury lawyers have handled over 15,000 cases and recovered $225 million—and counting—for our clients.  

What are the Causes of Dog Bites?

Dog bites happen for various reasons, ranging from a dog being frightened or protective to human actions that provoke a reaction from the animal. Understanding the potential causes of dog bites will help you protect yourself and others. 

Fear or Anxiety

A dog likely will bite if it feels threatened, cornered, or frightened. Dogs that have not been properly socialized or trained might react aggressively when they encounter new people, animals, or unfamiliar situations.

Protection of Territory

Dogs are naturally territorial creatures. If they feel their home or space is being invaded, they might act aggressively to protect their territory.

Lack of Proper Training

Untrained dogs might not know how to behave around strangers or in new environments. Without proper training, they could react unpredictably and bite in response to confusion or stress.

Provocation

Sometimes, a dog bite occurs when a person provokes the dog. Actions like teasing and startling a dog or pulling its tail elicit a defensive or aggressive response.

Health Problems

Dogs experiencing pain or health issues could be more irritable and aggressive. If a dog is sick or injured, it might be more likely to bite you.

Lack of Supervision

Dogs that are not properly supervised around children, strangers, or other pets might bite due to the stress of interacting with unfamiliar individuals or situations.

Massachusetts Dog Bite Laws

Massachusetts dog bite laws play a prominent role in the legal process following an incident. State laws are designed to hold dog owners accountable for their pet’s behavior and impose strict liability in some circumstances.

Strict Liability in Massachusetts

Under Massachusetts law, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog if it bit someone unprovoked. This means that the owner is automatically responsible for the injuries, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.

That said, there are a few exceptions to the strict liability rule. If the injured party was trespassing on the dog owner’s property, the owner likely will not be held liable. Also, if the injured person provoked the dog before being bitten, the owner might not be found responsible.

Leash Law

Massachusetts has a statewide leash law that requires dogs to be leashed in public areas. If a dog is off-leash in public and causes an injury as a result, the dog owner could be held responsible for the bite. 

Reporting and Quarantine

When a dog bite occurs, the local animal control officer will look into the situation to determine whether or not the dog was properly vaccinated. More specifically, they want to know if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. 

If necessary, the dog will be temporarily quarantined for observation. 

Statute of Limitations

In Massachusetts, you have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation for your injuries. Our Haverhill dog bite attorneys will file your case in time.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite injuries range from minor scratches to severe trauma. The extent of your injuries will determine your medical needs and the compensation you could be entitled to as the victim of a dog bite injury case.

Lacerations and Puncture Wounds

Even a seemingly small dog bite can result in deep puncture wounds. If your wounds are not treated properly, they can become infected. In some cases, stitches might be required to close the wound. 

Infections

Dog bites often introduce harmful bacteria—such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, or Streptococcus—all of which have the potential to cause infections. Some infections will spread rapidly and create further complications, particularly if the bite deeply punctured your skin.

Nerve Pain

Severe dog bites may cause nerve pain, which could result in numbness, tingling, or loss of function in the affected area. This has long-term effects for many dog bite victims, and it’s not uncommon to require extensive medical treatment or therapy after being bitten.

Scarring

Dog bite wounds—particularly on the face or hands—often leave permanent scars. Scarring might require reconstructive surgery, and it could have a long-lasting impact on your appearance or overall self-esteem.

Psychological Trauma

In addition to physical injuries, dog bite victims could experience emotional and psychological trauma. Fear of dogs, nightmares, and anxiety are common among dog bite survivors, especially children.  

Contact Our Haverhill Dog Bite Lawyer for More Information 

If a dog bites you, we encourage you to take action as soon as possible. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we’re here for dog bite injury victims who are looking for legal guidance, advocacy, and representation. Contact our law firm to schedule a consultation. 

At our Haverhill dog bite law firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything unless we obtain compensation on your behalf. With our Stone Cold Guarantee®, there’s no obligation, just information®.

You don’t pay unless we win your case because we operate on a contingency fee basis. Not only do you never need to reach into your pocket to pay us, but we’re here to help you understand your rights and how to proceed with your case. Schedule a free consultation.