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Lowell Dog Bite Accident Lawyer

Encountering dogs in your neighborhood, at local parks, or while visiting friends can be a pleasant part of everyday life in Lowell. However, when a dog suddenly attacks, that ordinary moment can become a painful and frightening experience, leaving you or your child with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical expenses.

Children are particularly vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries, and the emotional effects of an attack can last long after the physical wounds have healed. If a dog has injured you or a loved one, a Lowell dog bite accident lawyer at Rob Levine Law can explain your rights under Massachusetts law and help you pursue the compensation you need to support your recovery. Call us 24/7 at (888) 791-9135 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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How Rob Levine Law Handles Dog Bite Claims in Lowell

After a dog bite, the claims process often begins while you are still dealing with medical treatment and the emotional impact of the attack. Rob Levine Law steps in early to guide you through the process and protect your rights so that you can focus on your recovery.

That process begins with investigating how the attack happened and preserving important evidence before it is lost. Depending on the circumstances, this may include documenting the scene, reviewing Animal Control records, gathering medical records, speaking with witnesses, and identifying everyone who may share responsibility for your injuries, including dog owners, property owners, or caregivers.

Once the evidence has been gathered, the firm handles communications and negotiations with the insurance company. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, Rob Levine Law is prepared to present your case in court. Throughout the process, the firm remains focused on advocating for those in need and prioritizes accessibility. You can meet with us at our Lowell office or remotely. We’ll even travel to you when needed.

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Who Is Liable for Dog Bite Injuries?

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155 generally makes a dog owner or keeper liable for injuries caused by the dog when the injured person was lawfully on the property and was not committing a tort, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. Unlike states that require proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous, Massachusetts’ dog bite laws generally allow injured victims to pursue compensation without proving negligence, unless the victim was trespassing, committing another tort, teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

Depending on how and where the attack occurred, the following parties may be liable:

  • Dog owners: A dog owner is generally responsible when their dog bites someone. For example, if a child is bitten after a neighbor’s dog runs loose on Merrimack Street, the owner may be liable for the resulting injuries.
  • Property owners: A landlord or property owner may share responsibility if they knowingly allowed a dangerous dog to remain on the property without taking reasonable steps to protect others. This may apply in situations such as a dog bite at an apartment complex on Central Street.
  • Businesses or caregivers: Pet sitters, dog walkers, boarding facilities, or other caretakers may also be responsible if their failure to properly control the animal contributed to the attack.

Can a Child Be Liable for Provoking the Dog?

Massachusetts courts generally presume that children under the age of seven cannot provoke a dog. In these situations, the dog’s owner is almost always held strictly liable for the child’s injuries.

For children older than seven, the analysis becomes more fact-specific. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence system. Thus, a court may consider the child’s maturity, ability to recognize danger, and specific actions leading up to the incident to determine whether they provoked the dog.

If your family is dealing with the aftermath of an accident involving a child, we can protect your child’s rights and pursue compensation on your family’s behalf.

Does Lowell Have a ‘One Bite’ Rule?

Massachusetts does not follow a traditional one-bite rule, under which an injured person must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies before recovering compensation. The state does not require an injured person to prove that the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies before pursuing a claim under the statute.

Under Massachusetts’ strict liability law, victims may pursue compensation even if the bite was the dog’s first known attack, provided that no legal exceptions apply. As a result, a first-time bite does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation for your injuries and other losses.

What Compensation Is Available After a Dog Bite?

No two dog bite claims are exactly alike, which means there is no average dog bite settlement. The compensation available depends on the unique facts of your case, including your injuries, financial losses, and the long-term effects of the attack.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to recover compensation for the following losses:

  • Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and follow-up care
  • Future medical care: Physical therapy, counseling, rehabilitation, reconstructive procedures, or other treatment needed during your recovery
  • Lost income: Wages lost while recovering, along with compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering: The physical pain and discomfort resulting from your injuries
  • Emotional distress: Anxiety, fear, post-traumatic stress, and other emotional effects following the attack
  • Scarring or disfigurement: Permanent scars or changes to your appearance that may require ongoing treatment or affect your quality of life

A Lowell dog bite attorney can evaluate your claim and identify every category of compensation that may apply to your situation.

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.

How Can Waiting Too Long Affect the Strength of Your Dog Bite Claim?

Massachusetts’ statute of limitations for personal injury cases gives victims three years from the date of the dog bite to file suit. However, certain exceptions may apply, such as claims involving injured minors. If you miss the applicable deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation.

In addition, waiting too long to pursue a dog bite claim can make it more difficult to recover compensation. Delays may allow important evidence to disappear, witnesses to forget key details, and medical records to become less effective in linking your injuries to the attack. In some cases, surveillance footage or Animal Control records may also become harder to obtain over time.

Speaking with a personal injury lawyer promptly after the attack can help preserve evidence, document your injuries, and ensure important filing deadlines are not missed.

Call Rob Levine Law for Your Lowell Dog Bite Claim

Choosing the right legal team after a dog bite means finding attorneys you can trust to protect your rights while keeping you informed throughout the claims process. For more than 25 years, Rob Levine Law has helped over 50,000 people recover more than $2 billion in disability benefits and injury compensation while maintaining high ethical standards and remaining actively involved in the communities it serves.

The firm is also committed to fee transparency. We handle personal injury cases on our standard 33% contingency fee, with a discounted 25% rate for qualifying first responders, including police, fire, rescue, and military personnel. In addition, win or no fee™, that’s our fee free guarantee®. You will pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

If you have questions about your legal options after a dog bite, our dog bite lawyers are available 24/7 to help. Call (888) 791-9135 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

Dog Bite FAQs

Do I Have To Report the Bite to Lowell Animal Control, or Will the Hospital Report It Automatically?

Massachusetts law generally requires healthcare providers to report animal bites to the appropriate local authorities. However, reporting the incident to Lowell Animal Control yourself can help document what happened and create additional records that may support your claim.

You may still have a claim. If a loose dog causes you to crash or suffer injuries without making physical contact, the dog’s owner may still be responsible. Liability depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether the dog’s actions caused your injuries.

A “Beware of Dog” sign does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation. Massachusetts law generally holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, although factors such as trespassing or provocation may affect your claim.

While dog owners are usually responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, a landlord may also be liable if they knew about a dangerous animal on the property and failed to take reasonable steps to address the risk.

Delivery drivers generally have a legal right to enter private property to complete deliveries. If you were bitten while delivering a package, the dog’s owner may be responsible for your injuries.

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Office Location

Lowell, MA

1 Merrimack Plaza Suite 5,
Lowell, MA 01852

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