MASSACHUSETTS DOG BITE LAWYER
A dog attack leaves more than a scar.
A dog attack can cause deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, infection, and lasting scars, and Massachusetts holds the owner strictly liable when their animal injures an innocent person.
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A Massachusetts dog bite lawyer holds owners liable.
A dog bite is not like an ordinary accident, because Massachusetts does not make the victim prove the owner was careless. Under the state’s strict liability law, the owner or keeper of a dog is responsible for the damage it causes, with only narrow exceptions. That makes a dog bite claim about identifying the responsible owner, documenting the injury, and finding the insurance that pays, rather than arguing over who was at fault.
Dog attacks cause more than puncture wounds. Children are bitten on the face and head, adults suffer nerve and tendon damage to the hands and arms, and many victims carry permanent scars and a lasting fear of dogs. Homeowner and renter insurance usually covers these claims, but the insurer’s job is to keep the payout small. A Massachusetts dog bite lawyer handles the claim, values the full injury, and protects a child’s long-term interests while you focus on recovery. Larson Law represents bite victims across Massachusetts at no upfront cost.
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Bite victims deserve a determined advocate.
- We handle dog bite and animal attack claims across every part of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts strict liability means you do not have to prove the owner was careless
- We protect children's claims and their long-term interests after a serious bite
- We track down the homeowner or renter insurance that actually pays the claim
- Attorney Daniel J. Larson prepares every case as if it may be tried
- No fee unless we win
- Free, private case review
- Same-day response
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How Massachusetts law treats a dog attack claim.
Strict liability for a dog attack
Massachusetts is a strict liability state for dog injuries. Under MGL Chapter 140 Section 155, the owner or keeper of a dog is liable for any damage it does to a person or property, and the victim does not have to show the dog was vicious or that the owner was negligent. The only exceptions are when the injured person was trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.
Children and the burden of proof
The law gives special protection to young children. When a child under seven is bitten, the statute presumes the child was not trespassing or provoking the dog, and the burden falls on the dog’s owner to prove otherwise. Because so many serious bites happen to children, this protection often shapes how a claim is handled.
Who pays and the deadline to file
Most bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance, and a landlord can sometimes share responsibility for a dangerous dog kept on their property. A bite claim generally must be filed within three years under MGL Chapter 260 Section 2A, and for an injured child the deadline is paused under MGL Chapter 260 Section 7 until they turn eighteen.
Massachusetts dog bite injuries happen everywhere.
Where dog attacks happen in Massachusetts
Dog bites occur in every community in the Commonwealth, in homes and on the property of friends and relatives, in apartment complexes and rental units, in parks and on sidewalks, and during deliveries and home visits. Postal carriers, delivery drivers, utility workers, and children are among the most frequently injured. Many bites come from a familiar dog rather than a stray, which is one reason victims hesitate to pursue a claim that is really paid by an insurance company.
Care and claims across the state
Serious bites often require emergency treatment, stitches, antibiotics, and sometimes reconstructive or scar-revision surgery at hospitals across Massachusetts. Larson Law represents bite victims statewide, from Boston and Worcester to the South Shore, the North Shore, and the Cape. For city-specific help, our New Bedford dog bite lawyer page serves that community directly.
A bite claim should cover every lasting cost.
A dog bite claim should account for far more than the first emergency visit. It can cover medical and surgical care, future scar-revision procedures, lost wages, the lasting emotional impact, and the permanent scarring a serious bite leaves behind. For a child, the long-term effect on appearance and confidence matters too.
Medical Bills and Surgery Costs
Scarring and Disfigurement
Pain, Suffering, and Trauma
Wrongful Death of a Loved One
What to do after a dog attack.
Get medical care and keep records
See a doctor the same day, even if you feel only shaken, because some injuries surface later and your medical records tie the harm to the incident. Keep every bill, note, and receipt that you receive.
Document the scene and the cause
Photograph what hurt you, the vehicles, the hazard, or the whole scene, and collect the names and numbers of anyone who saw it happen. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer just yet, either.
Talk to a lawyer before the insurer
Before you accept any offer or sign any release, have a lawyer review the cause and the long term cost of your care. An early review protects the evidence and the deadline that controls your recovery.
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A Massachusetts dog bite lawyer is ready to help you.
A dog attack can leave lasting scars and real fear, and you should not have to face the owner’s insurance company alone. A Massachusetts dog bite lawyer can identify the responsible owner, find the insurance that applies, and explain what your claim may be worth, all at no cost to you. If a dog attack proved fatal, the victim’s family may bring a wrongful death claim under MGL Chapter 229. There is no fee unless we win, so reach out today for a free, private case review.
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Our Clients.
Our Practice Areas.
Larson Law represents injured people in claims of every kind across Massachusetts. Explore the related practice areas below, or reach out for a free review of what happened to you.
Dog attack questions, answered.
Do I have a claim if a dog bit me?
Most likely, yes. Massachusetts is a strict liability state, so if a dog bit or injured you, the owner or keeper is generally responsible for the harm under MGL Chapter 140 Section 155. You do not have to prove the dog was dangerous or that the owner did anything wrong. The main exceptions are if you were trespassing, committing another wrong, or provoking the dog. A free review can confirm whether your situation fits the law.
Do I have to prove the dog was dangerous before?
No. That is one of the biggest differences between Massachusetts and states that follow a one-bite rule. Here you do not have to show that the dog had ever bitten anyone before or that the owner knew it was dangerous. Strict liability makes the owner responsible for the injury regardless of the dog’s history, as long as you were not trespassing or provoking it. This is why many strong claims involve a dog with no prior incidents.
What if I knew the dog or its owner?
That is very common, and it should not stop you. Most bites come from a dog owned by a friend, relative, neighbor, or landlord, and pursuing a claim usually does not mean suing that person out of their own pocket. The claim is almost always paid by their homeowner or renter insurance, which exists for exactly this purpose. A lawyer can handle it in a way that keeps the focus on the insurance coverage rather than on personal blame.
Who actually pays for a dog bite claim?
In most cases the dog owner’s homeowner or renter insurance pays the claim, not the owner personally. These policies typically include liability coverage for injuries the household’s dog causes. In some situations a landlord’s insurance may also apply if they allowed a dangerous dog on the property. Finding and pursuing the right policy is one of the most valuable things a lawyer does, because the coverage is not always obvious to the victim.
What if my child was bitten?
Children are the most common bite victims and often suffer the most serious facial and head injuries. A parent or guardian can bring a claim on the child’s behalf, and the law gives extra protection: for a child under seven, the dog’s owner must prove the child provoked the dog. The filing deadline is also paused under MGL Chapter 260 Section 7 until the child turns eighteen, and a claim can plan for future scar treatment.
What if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
It does not matter. Unlike states with a one-bite rule, Massachusetts holds the owner strictly liable even if the dog had never shown aggression before. The absence of a prior bite is not a defense. What matters is that the dog injured you and that you were not trespassing or provoking it. Many serious claims involve a normally friendly dog that bit without any prior warning sign at all.
How long do I have to file a claim in Massachusetts?
In most cases you have three years from the date of the bite to file suit under MGL Chapter 260 Section 2A. For an injured child, that deadline is paused under MGL Chapter 260 Section 7 until they turn eighteen. Even so, it is best to act early while medical records are fresh and the dog and its owner can still be clearly identified.
What if I was partly to blame for the bite?
You may still recover. The main exceptions to strict liability are trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. If the owner claims you provoked the animal, the question becomes what actually happened, and for a child under seven the law presumes there was no provocation. An insurer may raise these defenses to reduce a payout, so it helps to have a lawyer respond to them.
What is a dog bite claim worth?
It depends on the severity of the bite. Value reflects the medical care needed, whether surgery or scar revision is required, the permanence and visibility of scarring, lost wages, and the emotional impact, which is often significant for children. Because scars and trauma can last a lifetime, a careful claim looks beyond the first hospital bill. A lawyer can review the injury and explain the categories of compensation that may apply.
Will the owner have to pay out of pocket?
Usually not. The owner’s homeowner or renter insurance typically pays the claim up to the policy limits, so the money does not come out of the owner’s pocket in most cases. That is an important point for victims who feel uneasy about a bite by a friend’s or relative’s dog. Pursuing the claim is really a claim against an insurance company that the owner already pays for this exact risk.
What should I do right after a bite?
Get medical care right away, because bites carry a high infection risk and the records document your injury. Identify the dog’s owner and collect their contact and insurance information if you can, and photograph your injuries and the location. Report the bite to animal control or the local board of health. Then speak with a lawyer before giving any statement to the owner’s insurer or accepting an early offer.
How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Larson Law handles dog bite claims on a contingency fee, so there is no charge unless we recover money for you, and the first case review is free. We advance the costs of building the claim and only get paid from a successful result. This lets any bite victim, including a child’s family, get strong representation without worrying about legal bills while they heal.
Results Disclaimer: Past case results, settlements, and verdicts mentioned on this website do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is unique and depends on its own facts and legal issues.