Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Personal Injury Attorneys Assisting Individuals in the Boston Area

With over 15 years of experience, the personal injury lawyers at Lowney Law, LLC represent individuals in the Boston region who have been the victims of dog bites and animal attacks. Suffering this type of harm can be a terrifying and painful experience. The victim’s injuries are often not only physically painful but mentally traumatic as well. This is especially true when an attack involves a young child. Ensuring that you or your loved one is compensated for these injuries can be critical in getting your life back to normal.

Seeking Compensation from Negligent Animal Owners

In Massachusetts, dog owners can be held strictly liable for the injuries that their animals cause. Strict liability does not require a victim to establish the elements of negligence. Instead, this principle means that the defendant is liable for the injuries even if he or she did not act negligently. To hold an owner accountable for a dog bite or animal attack, it is not necessary to show that the owner had prior knowledge that the animal is aggressive or has a history of violent behavior. Instead, Massachusetts law requires an injured person to establish the following:

• The victim was not trespassing on the property at the time of the attack;
• The victim was not in the act of committing a crime when the attack occurred; and
• The victim did not provoke the attack by teasing or tormenting the dog.

Defendants are typically unwilling to cooperate with the investigation of a dog bite or animal attack case, which can make the process difficult. The injuries resulting from these events range from minor punctures and scratches to serious wounds and infections. Some events may be so severe that they require hospitalization or even lead to permanent disfigurement. To establish your claim, it is important to collect key evidence, which may include photos of the injuries taken after the attack occurred, torn clothing or shoes, medical records, medical bills, and payroll records. You may be able to pursue damages for not only economic costs and losses, like medical treatment and missed wages, but also the subjective pain and suffering that resulted from the attack.

In many cases, an attack occurs at the animal owner’s home. If the owner has homeowner’s insurance, you may be entitled to seek recovery from his or her insurance company for your injuries. Insurance companies can be difficult to work with, and they often seek to deny claims in order to avoid making payments. At Lowney Law, LLC, we have over a decade of experience negotiating with insurance companies and are prepared to assert your rights in this situation as needed.

Explore Your Options with a Boston Lawyer after a Dog Bite

Lowney Law, LLC is committed to representing the victims of dog bites and animal attacks throughout the Boston area. Our accident attorneys have experience handling these distinctive types of cases and understand what it takes to build a strong argument against an irresponsible animal owner. We offer free initial consultations, and we do not collect any fees unless we obtain a settlement or a judgment in your favor. Call us at 617-364-8000, or contact us online to set up a meeting to discuss your potential case. Many of our clients have come from Hyde Park, Mattapan, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, West Roxbury, and Roslindale, as well as communities throughout Suffolk County.