Fall River Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite can happen in seconds, but the physical and emotional effects may last for years. These attacks often leave victims facing painful injuries, medical complications, permanent scarring, and lasting psychological trauma. Children are especially vulnerable to these effects, and those ages five to nine are the most common victims.
If you or a loved one has sustained a dog bite in Fall River, Rob Levine Law is here to help. Our Fall River dog bite lawyers can listen to your story, explain your options, and pursue maximum compensation from the person responsible for your injury.
Find out what your case is worth.
Home » Fall River Law Firm » Fall River Dog Bite Lawyer
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Last Updated:
July 15, 2026
Table of Contents
- How Our Attorneys Can Help After a Serious Dog Bite in Fall River, MA
- What Injuries Are Common After a Dog Bite Attack in Fall River?
- Factors That Influence the Value of a Dog Bite Claim
- Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Fall River?
- Count On Our Fall River Dog Bite Lawyers to Handle Your Case
- Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims in Fall River
How Our Attorneys Can Help After a Dog Bite in Fall River, MA
Dog bite claims are often more complex than simply proving a bite occurred. You generally must show that you were lawfully on the premises where the bite occurred and did not provoke the animal to attack. You also must establish the full impact of the injury on your life.
Our Fall River personal injury attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack to prove that someone else is liable for your injuries. We’ll gather evidence, such as medical records and witness statements, to build your claim and negotiate with the liable party or their insurance company and seek a settlement that reflects the full extent of your damages.
We take an aggressive approach to personal injury cases, meaning we don’t back down when the opposing side tries to settle for less than you deserve. We’re willing to go all the way to trial if negotiations are unsuccessful.
What to Expect From Our Legal Team
We are committed to providing client-first advocacy to those in need and offer 24/7 availability at every stage of the legal process. Our Fall River dog bite attorneys can also meet you remotely, in our office, or at your home.
We represent clients under our Fee Free Guarantee®, which means you pay nothing for our services unless we recover compensation for you.
Hear from Our Satisfied Clients
Professional and Caring Legal Assistance for Personal Injury Cases
I’m so grateful for Maria Virginia Gorobat, Delaney Grune, and their team for the care and dedication they’ve shown while handling my son’s dog bite case. From the very first conversation, they made sure we felt supported and informed every step of the way. As a mom, it brought me so much peace knowing my child’s case was in good hands. They were patient, understanding, and always took the time to explain everything clearly. The communication and follow-up emails, texts, and calls made me feel like I picked the right law firm to handle my son’s case. I truly appreciate their professionalism and compassion throughout this process. I highly recommend Maria and Delaney to anyone looking for an attorney who genuinely cares and fights for their clients.
Yalixia F.
Responsive Team Answering Every Question
Great team, kept me informed, and answered all my questions. Very professional! I would recommend them to anybody!
Tim M.
Top-Notch Communication
Great law firm. Very impressed with the communication and helpfulness throughout the process of my accident claim. Ask for Austin Millis (lawyer) and Michael Mera (case manager) for help.
Kevin C.
What Injuries Are Commonly a Result of Dog Bite Attacks?
Dog bites can cause catastrophic injuries that affect victims long after the attack. Common physical injuries include lacerations, deep puncture wounds, facial injuries, and broken bones.
Some victims also fall with significant force, which may lead to traumatic brain injuries. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment and can lead to infection, nerve damage, or permanent scarring.
A dog attack can also result in lasting psychological trauma, especially for children. Victims may experience a fear of dogs and suffer extreme distress in situations that remind them of the attack. They may also experience generalized anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, or avoidance of places where they may encounter dogs. These symptoms can interfere with school, work, sleep, or relationships.
Factors That Influence the Value of a Dog Bite Claim
After a dog attack, the amount of compensation you can recover depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries. More serious injuries typically lead to higher claim values because they require more costly treatment and have more profound consequences on a victim’s ability to work and quality of life.
Several types of damages may factor into your dog bite claim’s overall value, including the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages for the work missed during the initial recovery period
- Reduced earning capacity for the injury’s long-term impact on the type or amount of work you can do
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life for the ways the injury has affected your ability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the attack
- Scarring or disfigurement
Your dog bite compensation may also depend on the at-fault party’s insurance limits or the amount of assets they have to cover your damages. As a result, the average dog bite settlement varies significantly.
Calculate the Value of Your Case
Use our free personal injury settlement calculator to determine how much your case may be worth. This calculator is designed to give you a value with a range based on thousands of case we have settled.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Fall River?
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155, the dog’s “owner or keeper” is strictly liable if the dog bites or otherwise injures someone, unless the injured person was trespassing, committing another tort, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. Massachusetts’s dog bite law defines a keeper as someone responsible for caring for or controlling the dog at the time of the attack, even if they did not own the animal. Common examples include dog walkers, pet sitters, or friends watching the animal.
In certain situations, a landlord may also be held liable for negligence that results in a dog bite. For instance, if the landlord knew or should have known that a tenant had a dangerously aggressive animal but failed to take reasonable steps to protect those legally on the premises, they may be liable under a premises liability theory.
The owner or keeper is generally liable even if they took reasonable steps to prevent the bite or the dog has never previously shown aggression.
Regardless of who’s liable for the dog bite, all dog bite claims are subject to the Massachusetts statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This law gives you three years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
Count On Our Fall River Dog Bite Lawyers to Handle Your Case
After a life-altering dog bite, you deserve proven advocacy. Rob Levine Law has fought for injured people throughout Fall River for over 25 years. We’ve helped more than 50,000 people recover disability benefits and injury compensation, securing over $2 billion for our clients.
We’re proud to advocate for those in need throughout our community with strong ethical standards, transparent pricing, and accessible representation. Under our Fee Free Guarantee®, you pay us nothing unless you win. Our fee is 33% of the compensation we recover for you, and we offer a reduced fee of 25% for police, fire, rescue, and military personnel.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, our Fall River dog bite lawyers are available 24/7 to guide you on a path forward. Call (866) 767-9178 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims in Fall River
Explore our answers to common questions from people injured by dog bites in Fall River.
What Is the ‘Presumption of Innocence’ for Children Under Age 7 in Massachusetts Dog Bite Cases?
Massachusetts Law provides special protections for children under seven who sustain dog bites. If a dog injures a child under seven, the law presumes the child was not trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the animal at the time of the attack. This presumption can make it easier for families to pursue compensation after a dog bite injury involving a young child.
Will the Insurance Company Pay for Long-Term Psychological Counseling After a Child Suffers PTSD From a Dog Mauling?
If a child develops post-traumatic stress disorder after a dog attack, you can pursue compensation for the cost of ongoing mental health treatment. Pediatric trauma is a common outcome of dog bites in children, and we’re prepared to help you prove the extent of your child’s mental health injuries.
Why Is the Fall River Police Department Incident Report Important for Identifying the Dog’s Keeper vs. Owner?
A police report may contain important details about who was caring for or controlling the dog at the time of the attack. When our dog attack lawyers in Fall River investigate the incident, this information can help us determine who may be liable for your injuries.
Can Ring Doorbell Footage or Neighbor Security Video Help Prove the Dog Was Unrestrained During the Attack?
Yes. If a security camera showed that the dog was loose during or immediately before the attack, you may have a stronger claim.
What Happens if the Dog That Bit Me Was Previously Deemed Dangerous or Vicious?
If the dog that attacked you had previously been deemed dangerous or vicious, that information may be important to your claim. Prior complaints, bite reports, leash-law violations, or dangerous-dog findings may help show that the owner, keeper, landlord, or another responsible party knew or should have known the dog posed a risk. Our attorneys can investigate animal control records, police reports, witness statements, and property records to determine whether prior notice may affect liability in your case.
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Notable Case Results
$130,000
Defendant made a wide turn on Narragansett Parkway in Warwick, turning to wide to avoid hitting the front of our clients vehicle. Client had a stiff neck and back after the accident however the pain continued resulting in months of treatment. The case could not be settled and our litigation team had to tackle the file to get a succesful result.
$125,000
Client was driving on 95 South in Warwick when they were rear ended by a defendant who did not slow down and hit our client going about 55 miles per hour. After months of physical therapy the client had an MRI that revealed small spinal fractures. This file was denied but our litigation team was able to get a settlement for the client.
$24,158
Client was rear ended. Allstate claimed low impact accident and denied any injuries. Our attorney filed suit and liltigated the file, proving injuries even with a low impact, winning the case for our client.
$37,810
Jefferson Blvd in Warwick, our client who was 7 months pregnant was side swipped by a truck. Client was rushed to Woman and Infants Hospital in Providence where client was monitored as she began contractions. She also was treated for body pain. Car was a total loss
$300,000
Client was driving on Route 5 in Warwick near the Lowe’s. Defendant was pulling out of a parking lot and hit our clients motorcycle. Our client was thrown from the bike, slamming his head on the ground. He was rushed to the hospital. Our office settled the claim for policy limit. We recovered $240,000 for the client and an additional $60,000 for a loss of consortium claim for the clients spouse.
$50,000
Client was in Dicks Sporting Goods in Warwick RI. Client was walking in an isle and fell on plastic wire straps that were in the isle. Was taken from the store to Kent Hospital via ambulance. Had to have rotator cuff surgery
$55,000
Client was walking his dog in Warwick. During the walk a pitbull named Xavier started fighting with our clients dog. Our client broke up the fight between the dogs. Rescue came to scene along with police. Client was treated and released. The next day an infection formed causing the client to be hospitalized for 6 days.
$50,881
Client residing in Warwick RI could not work due to Seizure, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorder, Chronic Pain, Boderline Personality Disorder
$52,000
Client living in West Warwick suffering from headaches, PTSD, TBI, IBS and was a sexaul victim during his time of army service in the early 2000s. Our firm won 52,000 in back benefits.
$575,000.00
Client was traveling east on Long Street in Warwick when the defendant, pulling out of a side street, ran a stop sign. The client attempted to stop but was unable to avoid hitting the passenger side of the defendant’s car. Our client was taken from the scene by rescue to Rhode Island Hospital, where he stayed for two days.
Quick Follow-Up and Personalized Case Attention
Easily reached the attorney via phone. I dropped off paperwork and promptly received a call to go over it. The attorney is on the ball and doesn’t need time to look me up when I call to discuss my case, unlike other firms I’ve used.
Leo Z.
Unmatched Attention to Veterans’ Cases
Very great law firm for veterans. The time they take on your case is unbelievable. Please give them your business; you will never regret it.
Leland R.
Efficient Disability Claim Representation
Rob Levine is one of the greatest lawyers I’ve ever had. He got my settlement in just nine months for my disability, and it was a great settlement. If you’re looking for a disability lawyer to help you get your settlement quickly, please give them a call.
Yvette R.
Clear Communication and Genuine Client Care
I had an amazing experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, they were professional, supportive, and truly cared about my case. They kept me informed throughout the entire process and made everything feel much less overwhelming.
A special thank you to the paralegal, Candy Rosado. She was absolutely incredible. She was always responsive, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly. Anytime I had questions or concerns, she made sure I felt heard and reassured.
I also want to recognize my attorney, Heather. She has been amazing, very firm, confident, and clearly knows exactly what she’s doing. That gave me so much peace of mind throughout the process.
I’m truly grateful for all the help and dedication they showed while handling my claim. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a team that genuinely cares and goes above and beyond for their clients.
Errolis G.
Thorough and Caring Legal Team for Motorcycle Accidents
Rob Levine Law provides a great experience for my personal motorcycle accident injuries and motorcycle value recovery. Their website portal is easy to use, updating and logging your critical information, personal case references, and timelines. My lawyer, Kevin Marchand, is very proactive, detailed, and reliable! Thankfully, my case manager, Jorge Bedoya, is very caring, precise, and attentive to my needs. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them throughout my case.
Matt S.
Excellent Communication and Fast Case Resolution
My paralegal, Samantha De Souza, and attorney, Kevin Marchand, were both great! They kept me up to date with my case. They were really friendly and helpful with all their information and super patient with all my questions. I loved their online system as well, which kept track of where we were at, and the videos they used to help explain the next steps. They did a great job and closed my case quickly.
Alyssa S.