Springfield Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog attacks are, unfortunately, common across Western Massachusetts, and the City of Springfield sees its share of emergency room visits tied to bites and maulings each year. When a dog injures a person, the victim's legal rights primarily arise from state statutes and long-standing common-law duties that govern animal owners. In Massachusetts, those rights are exceptionally victim-friendly: the legislature has imposed "strict liability" on owners and keepers whose animals cause harm, meaning an injured person does not have to prove negligence to obtain compensation. Our Springfield dog bite lawyers can help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers has represented injury victims for over two decades. Our Springfield personal injury team understands how to marshal the medical evidence, animal-control records, and insurance coverage necessary to maximize your recovery while you focus on healing.

Massachusetts General Laws chapter 140, section 155 creates a cause of action against a dog's "owner or keeper" whenever the dog injures a person or property. Key points include:

• No "one-bite" requirement. Massachusetts does not require a prior bite or a history of aggression, unlike many states.
• Limited defenses. An owner avoids liability only if the victim was committing a crime, trespassing, or provoking the dog at the time of the incident. Children under seven are presumed notto have committed a crime, trespassed, or caused the dog.
• Keeper liability. Individuals who are not the legal owner but have control of the animal (e.g., dog sitters, kennel operators) can be sued alongside or in addition to the owner.
• Joint and several liability. If multiple parties legally qualify as keepers, each can be held 100 percent responsible for the total judgment, leaving it to them to apportion the fault.

Because strict liability simplifies negligence, most disputes turn on damages and insurance coverage. Springfield dog owners often carry homeowners' or renters' insurance that extends to animal bites, even if the incident occurred off their property.

Dog bites can cause far more than surface puncture wounds. Common medical consequences we see in Springfield claims include:

• Deep lacerations requiring layered sutures, leading to permanent scarring
• Fractures and crush injuries occur when powerful jaws clamp down on hands or arms
• Infections such as cellulitis, MRSA, or Pasteurella sometimes necessitate IV antibiotics
• Nerve and tendon damage that impairs mobility or sensation
• Rabies exposure triggers costly prophylactic treatment
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in children who develop a fear of animals
• Complicated reconstructive surgery bills for facial injuries

A comprehensive settlement must anticipate future medical needs, including scar-revision surgery, counseling, and assistive devices. Our attorneys work with plastic surgeons, occupational therapists, and vocational experts to document foreseeable expenses.

Taking the proper steps in the hours and days following an attack protects both your health and your legal claim:

• Seek emergency medical care immediately; even seemingly minor wounds can harbor bacteria.
• Notify Springfield Animal Control; the department will create an official record and verify the dog's rabies vaccination status.
• Photograph the injuries, torn clothing, and the location of the incident.
• Identify the dog and its owner, taking note of their addresses and contact numbers.
• Preserve all medical invoices, discharge summaries, and prescription receipts.
• Avoid speaking with the owner's insurance company before consulting an attorney.

Our firm can dispatch an investigator to obtain surveillance footage, interview neighbors, and secure veterinary records that may reveal prior aggression.

Many victims assume the claims process is straightforward because Massachusetts imposes strict liability. Unfortunately, insurers habitually downplay emotional harm, future scar care, or missed work for follow-up appointments. An experienced lawyer can:

• Evaluate all potential defendants, including landlords who knew the tenant's dog was dangerous.
• Locate multiple layers of insurance, such as umbrella policies or coverage carried by a caretaker.
• Calculate full economic and non-economic losses under Massachusetts law.
• Negotiate aggressively and, if necessary, file suit in Hampden Superior Court or Springfield District Court.
• Prepare demonstrative exhibits, like medical illustrations, to help jurors understand the severity of disfigurement.
• Advance all litigation costs so you pay no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Victims may pursue both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Reconstructive surgery and scar revision
• Physical pain and emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life and recreational ability
• Home modifications or assistive equipment
• Punitive-style "multiple damages" if the owner's conduct amounted to reckless disregard (e.g., allowing a known vicious dog to roam off-leash)

Our attorneys prepare every case as though it will go to trial, consistently leading to stronger settlement offers.

Massachusetts generally provides three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, practical deadlines arrive much sooner:

• Insurance carriers often require prompt notice, sometimes within days, to preserve policy benefits.
• Animal-control hearings to declare a dog "dangerous" occur quickly; attending can solidify liability evidence.
• Critical surveillance videos from downtown Springfield businesses may be overwritten within 30 days.

Delaying legal action risks losing evidence and leverage. Contacting our team immediately ensures that subpoenas and preservation letters are sent out before memories fade.

• Local focus. Our headquarters in Boston is complemented by satellite offices that handle cases throughout Hampden County, allowing us to understand the specific ordinances enforced by Springfield Animal Control and the public health department.
• Proven results. We have secured millions of dollars for our injured clients, including six-figure settlements for pediatric dog-bite victims who required scar-revision surgery.
• Holistic support. We coordinate with specialists from Baystate Medical Center or Shriners Children's Hospital for burn-like grafting procedures, therapy, and help you get the most out of your case.
• No fee unless we win. Our contingency-fee arrangement aligns our success with yours.
• 24/7 accessibility. Call (413) 278-0645 day or night; we can schedule home or hospital visits if mobility is an issue.

When you hire Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, the insurance adjuster knows you are prepared to litigate vigorously, often motivating quicker, fairer resolutions.

Q: "Do I have a claim if the dog knocked me down without biting
Yes. Section 155 covers any injury caused by a dog, even if the animal merely lunged and caused a fall.

Q: "Can I still recover if I was on the dog owner's property?"
Typically, yes, so long as you were lawfully present (for instance, as a social guest or postal worker). Trespassers may be barred, but children under the age of seven receive statutory protection.

Q: "What if the dog belonged to a friend or relative?"
Your compensation usually comes from their homeowners’ insurer, not their finances, so you need not worry about harming relationships.

Q: "How long will my case take?"
Straightforward claims may settle within a few months. Disputed damages or scarring that require a year of healing before evaluation can extend the timeline for resolution. We keep you informed at every stage of the process.

Q: "Will I have to go to court?"
Most cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation, but we prepare each file for trial to ensure the strongest possible bargaining position. You ultimately decide whether to accept a settlement offer.

A dog attack can upend your life in seconds, leaving physical and psychological scars that last for years. Massachusetts law equips you with powerful rights, but insurance companies often fail to offer fair compensation. Let the dedicated team at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers stand between you and adjusters' tactics to minimize payouts.

Call (413) 278-0645 or use our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your options, and, if you choose to work with us, pursue every dollar you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Springfield Office

1500 Main St, 8th floor
Springfield, MA 01115
Phone: (413) 278-0645