Every year, thousands of Americans are bitten by animals, most often dogs. This can be any injury caused by the dog such as biting, being jumped on, knocked down, etc.

If you have been bit…
The first thing you should do if an animal bites you is seek immediate medical attention. Untreated bites can lead to infections and potential transfer of disease, if the dog is carrying a disease. Once you have been seen by a doctor you should contact a lawyer about whether or not you have a legal case. You will need to provide the name and maybe the phone number of the animal’s owner and any witnesses if possible. If you do not have contact information for the owner you can try asking witnesses or neighbors if they have any information about the dog.

If you are the dog owner… In most dog bite cases the owner of the dog is strictly liable for any injury caused by the animal, meaning the owner is entirely at fault. However, if your dog or animal is being accused of causing harm, keep in mind if the person who was bit, scratched or injured was trespassing at the time they were harmed, or if they were teasing or tormenting the animal you are not responsible for repaying them for the damages and can argue them in court.

If you are interested in contacting us about a personal injury case including dog or animal bites, please contact us immediately at 617-227-1795 or e-mail our legal team at danH@harringtonlawyers.com. Consultations are free and we are happy to schedule an appointment with you at our location in Downtown Boston or at your location.