Fatal Dog Attacks

Cape Cod Attorneys for Victims Injured by Animals

A dog’s bite can transmit several hundred pounds of force per square inch, and when a dog with a strong bite force attacks a human, it can cause grave harm. Sadly, while some people make a full recovery following dog attacks, other attacks cause overwhelming injuries that are ultimately fatal. People contending with the devastating emotional and financial repercussions of losing a loved one due to a dog attack may be able to recover damages from the dog’s owner. The seasoned Cape Cod dog bite lawyers of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III are proficient at helping people who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s wrongful acts seek any compensation recoverable. If you lost a love one due to a dog attack, we can assist you with your legal needs. We have collectively aided people in the pursuit of damages for more than fifteen decades, and have successfully recovered multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Liability for Fatal Dog Attacks Under Massachusetts Law

The Massachusetts legislature enacted a law that specifically addresses liability for dog attacks. The statute typically referred to as the “dog bite law” states that a dog owner will be held liable for any damages caused by his or her dog, including injuries and economic harm. The dog bite law is a strict liability statute, which means that the injured parties do not have to prove that a dog owner negligently permitted a dog to attack someone, or that the dog owner knew or should have known that his or her dog possessed dangerous propensities. Instead, the owner will be held liable simply because the dog attacked someone unless the owner can prove an exception applies. For example, if the person the dog attacked was trespassing at the time of the attack, the owner will not be strictly liable for harm caused by the attack. Similarly, if the victim was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog, the dog’s owner will not be held strictly liable. If the victim was a child under the age of seven at the time of the attack, however, it is presumed that he or she was not committing a tort or teasing or tormenting the dog at the time of the attack. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you counter any defenses the other parties in the case may try to present.

Damages Recoverable Following a Fatal Dog Attack

The dog bite law states that the dog owner can be held liable for the damages caused by the dog bite. In cases in which a fatal dog attack occurs, such damages may include compensation for the pain and suffering the victim endured after the bite but prior to his or her death, and the cost of any medical treatment the victim received following the bite. The victim’s beneficiaries may also be able to recover compensation for the income the victim was reasonably expected to earn through his or her life, the cost of any burial or funeral expenses, and compensation for the loss of the care, companionship, and guidance of the victim. In some instances, the victim’s family members may also be able to recover punitive damages as well.

Speak with a Skillful Dog Bite Lawyer in Cape Cod

Dog attacks can cause horrific injuries, many of which are unfortunately fatal. If you lost a loved one due to a dog attack, it is advisable to consult an attorney regarding your right to pursue damages from the dog’s owner. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, we can craft compelling arguments to help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to. We have successfully recovered several settlements and verdicts in excess of one million dollars for our clients. We frequently represent people in lawsuits in Cape Cod, and we are available to meet for consultations in Plymouth and Hyannis as well. You can contact us to set up a free and confidential conference at 888-262-6664 or via our form online. Nós Falamos Português.