Scarring from Dog Bites

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, we are committed to representing Massachusetts residents who have been injured in incidents involving dogs and other animals. Our Cape Cod dog bite attorneys combine more than a century and a half of legal experience, which helps us advocate aggressively for clients in a wide range of situations. We understand the stress and pain that can come with being a victim of scarring from a dog bite. Our firm gives clients the confidence to focus on their own physical and emotional recuperation while knowing that we are fighting to ensure that those responsible for their injuries are held legally liable.

Dog bites come in all shapes and sizes. Even a seemingly minor encounter with a neighbor’s dog can have lasting consequences. You might think that what looks like a minor flesh wound is not a big problem, but bites often cause scarring and other lingering injuries. Any dog bite also comes with the threat of rabies, a virus transmitted by animals that infects the central nervous system. This is why it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after being bitten. It is also critical to consult an experienced personal injury attorney on Cape Cod to assess your legal rights and options.

Massachusetts’ dog bite law is a strict liability statute. That means that a dog owner is legally responsible for scarring from any bites that happen, as long as the person who gets bitten was not trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time of the incident. Even if the owner had no reason to believe that the dog was a biter, he or she is on the hook for any injuries that result. The owner is also responsible for injuries that a person suffers while trying to escape from an attacking animal.

The compensation usually available in dog bite cases includes money for current and future medical bills. For a person who suffers scarring from a dog bite, that extends to additional medical procedures down the road to treat the scarring. That is not to mention the cost of related counseling and psychotherapy stemming from the incident. Additional compensation is also available for any property damage, missed wages due to time away from work, a reduction in earning capacity as a result of the injury, and pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Parents and guardians also have the right to seek these money damages on behalf of children injured in dog attacks. In some cases, they may be able to seek additional compensation for their own emotional anguish stemming from the incident.

The key to a successful dog bite case is proving the full extent of your injuries and showing that those injuries were a direct result of the attack. That includes showing that any scarring that you endured was caused by the dog bite. Witness testimony and photographic evidence can go a long way in showing that you were attacked. Comprehensive medical records and testimony from doctors can be helpful in documenting the injuries that you suffered in the attack.

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, our legal professionals are committed to helping people get back on their feet after a dog bite. We are skilled litigators who are ready to take cases all the way through trial when needed, but we have had plenty of success in resolving cases without extended court battles. The firm’s track record of success for the clients whom we have represented speaks for itself. We offer free consultations at our Hyannis and Plymouth offices, but we can also visit you at a more convenient location if you cannot make it to us. We do not charge a fee in most dog bite cases unless we are successful. Call us at 888-262-6664 or contact us online. Nós Falamos Português.