Getting bitten by a dog is a traumatic experience. However, you do not need to handle the emotional impact, financial stress, or physical pain by yourself.
With a Norwood personal injury lawyer by your side, learn how to manage your new medical bills and recover the income you’ve lost while healing from your injuries. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we’ve handled over 15,000 cases and secured more than $225 million for clients.
When you reach out to us, we promise to respond within 24 hours. As a Norwood dog bite lawyer, we take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home.
The Dog Bite Law You Should Know About in Massachusetts
Massachusetts adheres to a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. This means that dog owners are responsible for injuries that are caused by their dogs, regardless of whether or not their dog has a history of aggression.
To hold the owner liable, you must prove that you were lawfully present and that the dog caused your injuries. In other words, victims must have been on public property or—lawfully—on private property at the time of the bite, meaning trespassers are generally not protected under this rule.
Furthermore, there must be clear evidence that the dog’s actions directly caused your injuries as well. Under the strict liability rule, it is often much easier for victims to pursue claims since it does not require you to prove negligence on part of the dog’s owner.
Common Injuries Resulting From Dog Bite Incidents
Getting bit by a dog often results in both physical effects and psychological harm. Here are some common injuries dog bite victims often endure:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Tears or lacerations in the skin
- Risk of rabies infection
- Bacterial infections like tetanus or cellulitis
- Damage to your nerves
- Partial or complete loss of sensation
- Diminished motor functioning
- Scarring that requires reconstructive surgery
- Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The Role of Insurance in Dog Bite Cases
In many dog bite cases, the dog owner’s insurance—including homeowner’s and renter’s—might cover the injuries that the victim sustained. Insurance policies typically include liability coverage for injuries resulting from the behavior of your pets.
However, working with insurance claims is often confusing and complicated. Insurance companies frequently minimize the payouts or settlements they offer you.
Here’s what you should know about dealing with insurance providers after being bit by a dog.
Filing a Claim
Notify the dog owner’s insurance company about the incident as soon as possible. You might be asked to provide the insurer with documentation, including your medical records and photographs of your injuries.
You should reach out to a law firm with experience representing dog bite injury victims. Not only will we answer questions like, “Who can I sue for my dog bite injuries?” but we will also file claims on your behalf.
Evaluating the Policy
Review the insurance policy to understand the coverage limits and any exclusions that apply to your situation. For example, some policies do not cover certain breeds or incidents where the victim was partially at fault.
When you hire us as your Norwood dog bite lawyer, we will help you understand who is at fault in a dog attack and how to move forward with your case.
Negotiating a Settlement
Insurance companies are known for offering low settlements. They do so to save money, but their cost-saving measures shouldn’t encroach on the money you are entitled to as the victim of a dog bite incident.
It’s crucial to evaluate any offers you receive rather than accepting them immediately and without question. We encourage you to hire legal counsel and work with a Norwood dog bite lawyer who is dedicated to making sure you reach a fair resolution in your case.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite victims are often entitled to a variety of compensation types, including:
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages—such as physical pain, emotional distress, and a lower quality of life—are often recoverable in dog bite cases.
- Medical expenses: This category includes the costs of emergency care, hospital stays, surgical procedures, prescription medication, and ongoing treatments, like physical therapy or counseling appointments.
- Lost wages and future income: If your injuries prevent you from working, we will seek compensation for the wages you’ve lost or your diminished earning capacity.
- Disfigurement and scarring: Victims who experience permanent scarring or disfigurement as part of their injuries might be entitled to additional compensation.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, the court system might award punitive damages to punish the responsible party. In addition to serving as a consequence of their actions, this compensation type is designed to deter wrongdoers from engaging in that behavior again.
Meet With a Norwood Dog Bite Lawyer Today to Recover Financial Compensation for Your Injuries
If you’ve been injured after getting bit by a dog, you have the right to hold the dog’s owner or other liable parties accountable for the pain you experienced. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to start building your case.
We are here to help victims of dog bites understand their rights and take action accordingly. With years of experience handling cases of this nature, we will help you make sure your claim is handled with the utmost level of care and due diligence.
Don’t let dog bite injuries keep you down—reach out to us today to learn more about our Stone Cold Guarantee® and how we will help you recover maximum financial compensation. Count on us to stand by your side.
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