Doberman Pinscher Dog Bites

Lawyers Helping Clients on Cape Cod

Doberman Pinschers are known as athletic dogs that are fiercely loyal to their owners. Unfortunately, their protective nature sometimes causes them to lash out and attack innocent bystanders. Doberman Pinschers have powerful jaws, and when they bite someone, it can cause significant physical and emotional trauma and injuries. People harmed by Doberman Pinscher dog bites have the right to pursue damages, and should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible to assess their options. The knowledgeable Cape Cod dog bite attorneys of The Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, have over fifteen decades of joint experience helping people hurt by dog attacks seek justice for their losses, and if you hire us, we will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. Our skilled representation has garnered numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Harm Arising Out of Doberman Pinscher Dog Bites

Doberman Pinschers are large animals with one of the strongest bites among dogs. While some are friendly, many are aggressive towards people or other animals. When a Doberman Pinscher bites someone, the force of its jaw can cause torn tendons, muscles, and ligaments, fractures, and hemorrhaging. Even bites that are considered relatively mild can cause contusions, lacerations, puncture wounds, and excessive blood loss. People who are bitten by Doberman Pinschers often have to undergo surgery and physical therapy to recover. Many people have noticeable scars after their wounds have healed as well and suffer from psychological illnesses, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pursuing Damages Following Doberman Pinscher Dog Bites

Massachusetts is one of many states that has a “dog bite law.” In other words, the legislature passed a statute that allows people who are bitten by dogs to seek compensation from the person responsible for the dog. The law expressly provides that if a dog causes a person to suffer bodily harm, the party that owns or handles the dog will be strictly liable for the victim’s damages. This means that the injured party does not have to prove that the dog owner had notice prior to the attack that the dog was dangerous, should have known the dog was likely to bite someone, or was otherwise negligent. Instead, the injured party merely has to show that it suffered injuries due to the dog. While most harm is caused by bites, the statute does not limit the type of injuries that are recoverable but merely states that an owner or handler will be liable for any harm his or her dog causes.

Notably, however, there are some circumstances that will allow a dog owner to avoid strict liability. For example, if the victim was teasing or tormenting the dog prior to the attack, the dog bite law may not apply. Similarly, if the person bitten was trespassing or engaging in other tortious behavior, the owner may not be deemed strictly liable for harm caused by the dog. It is presumed that none of the exceptions to the dog bite law apply if the victim is under the age of seven, however, and the owner must produce evidence rebutting the assumption to prove otherwise. An owner that successfully demonstrates an exception to the dog bite law applies may be deemed liable on other grounds, though, such as negligence.

Compensation Recoverable for Dog Bites

Under the dog bite law, the owner or handler of a dog that causes bodily harm is responsible for any damages brought about by the dog. The law does not expressly define damages, but the term has been interpreted to mean the cost of medical treatment, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages. It also includes damages for the pain, trauma, and suffering caused by the attack.

Meet With a Knowledgeable Attorney on Cape Cod

Doberman Pinschers are powerful dogs that can cause substantial harm when they attack people. If you were bitten by a Doberman Pinscher or any other dog, you might be owed damages, and you should meet with a lawyer as soon as possible. The knowledgeable attorneys of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, are well-versed in what it takes to obtain successful results, and if you hire us, we will zealously pursue any compensation recoverable under the law. We are proud to uphold a history of successful outcomes, including numerous verdicts and settlements. We regularly help injured parties pursue claims in lawsuits arising out of dog bites on Cape Cod. We are also able to meet for conferences in Hyannis and Plymouth. You can contact us through our online form or at (888) 262-6664 to set up a conference. Nós Falamos Português.