dog-bite-lawyers « WordPress.com Tag Feed

Dog Bites & Dog Attacks

bellottilaw — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:05:44 +0000

Massachusetts personal injury attorneys know that the state law is very clear, and very stringent, regarding dog bites and attacks. Quite simply: pursuant to M.G.L., Chapter 140: Section 155, the dog owner is strictly liable for any injuries or wrongful death caused by a dog bite or dog attack. Once it is shown that the defendant is the owner of the dog, he is liable, regardless of whether the dog has shown violent tendencies in the past, has bitten before, or is considered to be a stereotypically vicious breed. The victim must simply show that he/she was not trespassing, teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog at the time the injuries were sustained. The statute offers even more protection for minors, as children under age 7 are presumed to have done none of these things.

The experienced Boston dog bite lawyers at Bellotti Law Group have successfully handled many dog bite and dog attack cases over the years. Our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys know that dog bites can cause serious injuries and can leave victims with scarring, including facial scarring and disfigurement, which can stay with a victim for life. Contact our Boston, Cambridge, or Quincy office today at 617-225-2100 or toll-free 800-334-FIRM for a FREE consultation to discuss your rights and options.

Children Face a Heightened Risk, but Have More Statutory Protection:

Dog bites affect people of all ages, including pedestrians and bicyclists, who are often knocked down, sustaining additional injuries due to the fall. Unfortunately, according to Massachusetts personal injury attorneys, many dog bites involve children, because of their naïve attraction to unknown dogs and small stature. Further, because of their small size, dog bites often occur on their face, causing life-long scarring and disfigurement. Massachusetts state law affords children some additional protection, however, as children under age 7 are presumed to not be trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog, which would negate liability of the dog owner.

Most Dog Bites are Covered by Homeowner’s Insurance:

Most dog bites and dog attacks fall under a homeowner’s insurance policy. As such, liability is covered for bodily injuries to others caused by a policyholder’s dog. Sometimes, medical payments coverage is also extended to the victim. Increasingly, our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys see some insurance companies are excluding coverage for dog bites in their policies. If no viable insurance exists, the victim may file a claim against the owner of the dog individually. It should be noted that a dog need not actually bite you to file a claim, but instead, the dog must be the root cause of the injury, such as causing you to fall to the ground, fall off a bike, or twist the wrong way.

Three Important Steps To Take Following a Dog Bite:

(1) Immediately following a dog bite, it is imperative to seek appropriate medical attention and ensure that the offending dog’s shots are current.

(2) Next, you should identify the owner of the dog and discover as much information as possible to use in filing a later claim.

(3) Finally, it is essential to call an experienced dog bite attorney at Bellotti Law Group, who knows what information to further investigate and how to successfully advance your claim against an insurance company or in court against an individual dog owner.

The Massachusetts personal injury attorneys at Bellotti Law Group have decades of success in obtaining their clients rightful compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call us today at 617-225-2100 or 800-334-FIRM. We serve all of Massachusetts and Southern New England.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

jnadrich — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:42:32 +0000

If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, you may need the assistance of an experienced dog bite attorney.

A dog attack can happen at anytime and leave you bearing both physical and emotional scars. In some cases, it may be necessary to pursue a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner in order to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. When hiring a dog bite lawyer, it’s important that you know what questions to ask in order to ensure that you get the best legal representation possible.

What to Ask Before You Hire a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

Experience

How much experience do you have in handling dog bite injury claims?
Do you only represent dog bite victims or do you handle other case types?
How many dog bite injury claims have you successfully represented?

Case Handling

Are you familiar with case types involving circumstances similar to mine?
How do you typically approach dog bite injury cases? Are you more inclined to pursue a settlement or a trial?
Do you think I have a claim for damages resulting from a dog bite?
What approach would you use when representing my claim?
What information or documentation do you need from me to help pursue a dog bite claim?
How long do you think it will take to resolve my case?
Do you foresee any problems with my Los Angeles dog bite lawsuit that could potentially affect the outcome?
Will you be solely responsible for working on my case or will you be assisted by others?
How often do you provide updates on the status of a case?
How often can I contact you regarding my case? Who should I contact if you’re not available?

Case Resolution

Do you think a settlement is likely?
How much compensation do you think I’m entitled to receive?
What if the defendant is unwilling to negotiate a settlement?

Fees

What are your fees for handling a dog bite injury claim?
Is there a retainer fee to obtain your services?
How will you be paid?
If you lose the case, will I owe you any money?

These are just some of the questions you may want to ask when hiring a dog bite attorney. While you can choose to file an injury lawsuit on your own, an experienced lawyer can help you to navigate the legal system to ensure that you get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one was injured as the result of a dog bite, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek the assistance of an experienced California dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.

Nadrich & Cohen, LLP specializes in representing dog bite victims and their families throughout Southern California. For more information on filing a dog bite lawsuit, call 1-800-718-4658 to begin your free initial case evaluation. There is never a fee unless damages are recovered on your behalf.

portland injury attorneys

roydwyer1 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:52:08 +0000

Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

injurylawfirm — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:44:10 +0000

For information on dog bites in Los Angeles, visit the dog bite information center. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a dog bite or a dog attack, you should call now and speak with a dog bite lawyer about your case. Strict liability in California applies when a dog attacks or causes injury to a person. A dog owner is responsible for any actions of their dog or animal that may cause harm to others, and liability is already established. Don’t delay, or guess about your legal rights.