My child was bitten by a dog – what can I do?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, and 800,000 of them require medical attention. At least half of all dog bite victims are children. Any size or breed of dog can attack and bite a person. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that it is not the dog’s breed that makes it aggressive, but the way it has been raised and treated by people. Dogs that are not familiar with or comfortable around young children may be uncharacteristically aggressive or defensive when coming in contact with them. We love our pets and hope that nothing like this will ever happen. Unfortunately, even a kind, friendly pet can cause injury when scared.
Massachusetts Law Protects Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite laws vary from state to state, but Massachusetts has one of the toughest laws in the country. The law states that if a dog harms you, the dog’s owner is liable for any damage the dog causes. It doesn’t matter if the dog has ever bitten anyone or shown aggression before. However, if the dog bite victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property or teasing or abusing the dog, the owner is absolved of responsibility. The one exception to this rule is for children under the age of seven. Massachusetts law holds that young children are not responsible for their behavior towards the dog and that it is up to the dog’s owner to control the animal around children.
Dog Bites Are Serious Injuries
Clearly, a large, aggressive dog can do a lot of damage, but even small dogs can cause a great deal of harm. Even if you are not bitten, you could be knocked down by a dog and suffer injuries. In Massachusetts, owners are liable for any harm a dog causes, not just for bite injuries. Some common injuries caused by dogs include the following:
Facial scarring and disfigurement
Damage to nerves, tendons, tissue, and bone
Infections developing in broken skin
Diseases, such as rabies, commonly carried by dogs
Head and limb injuries caused by being knocked to the ground
Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder
According to the CDC, dogs carry dangerous bacteria in their mouths that can harm humans, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is resistant to antibiotics and can cause a life-threatening infection, and Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus. An average of 34 people are killed by dogs each year, according to statistics tracked by DogsBite.org.
We Are Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys
If you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut or the surrounding area and were attacked by a dog, contact Vargo Law immediately. We know the law and will fight to get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. We understand that you may be reluctant to sue a friend or neighbor, but it is important to realize that dog owners usually have coverage for these kinds of injuries under their homeowner’s insurance policies. Dog bite treatments—including emergency room visits, plastic surgery, and ongoing counseling for trauma—are expensive and you shouldn’t have to pay for this out of your own pocket. Schedule a free consultation and case review if a dog injured you or your child. We are here for you!
