German Shepherd Dog Bites

German Shepherd dogs are prized for their intelligence and trainability. They have tremendous strength as well, which can be an asset when they are used as working dogs, but can lead to severe injuries when they attack people unexpectedly. If you, or someone you know, have suffered injuries due to German Shepherd dog bites, you or they may be owed compensation from the dog’s owner, and it is advisable to contact a lawyer. At The Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, our knowledgeable Cape Cod dog bite attorneys have over fifteen decades of collective experience helping people harmed by dogs seek compensation for their losses. If you engage our services, we will zealously pursue the full amount of damages recoverable. Our dedicated representation has garnered numerous multi-million dollar damages awards for our clients.

German Shepherd dogs are often used by police departments and other law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes, track criminals and patrol areas. Many people own them as pets as well. Although German Shepherds are valued as both working dogs and beloved companions, they are also one of the most dangerous breeds and have one of the highest rates of attacks. Due to the strength of their jaws, German Shepherd dog bites often cause severe injuries when they bite people, such as fractures, hemorrhaging, tissue damage, lacerations, scarring, and disfigurement. In some instances, the wounds they cause are fatal.

In Massachusetts, dog owners can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs under a statute known as the “dog bite law.” The law states that if a dog causes someone to suffer bodily harm, the dog’s owner or handler can be held strictly liable. In other words, the injured party does not have to prove that the owner knew or should reasonably have known that the dog was dangerous or likely to cause harm or that the owner was otherwise negligent to recover damages. Instead, the person hurt must merely show an injury caused by the dog. The law broadly imposes liability and does not specifically refer to bites, but any wounds caused by a dog, including those suffered due to bites, constitute grounds for pursuing claims against the owner.

There are some exceptions to the imposition of strict liability, though. For example, if a person is bitten while trespassing or engaging in other tortious behavior or attacked while tormenting or teasing the dog, the owner will not be deemed strictly liable. In cases in which the person bitten is a child younger than seven, there is a presumption that the exceptions to strict liability do not apply, and the dog’s owner must prove that the child engaged in behavior that would make the exception operative. In cases in which an owner cannot be held strictly liable, the injured party may be able to recover damages via a negligence claim.

Pursuant to the dog bite law, a dog’s owner is responsible for damages caused by the dog. The law does not define damages, but the term has been interpreted to mean the cost of medical treatment needed, such as surgery, for the injuries suffered or that will be needed in the future. It also includes lost wages, out of pocket expenses, and suffering, pain, and mental trauma caused by the attack.

German Shepherds can be lovable companions, but they can cause significant harm when they become aggressive and attack. If a dog bit you, you have the right to seek compensation and should meet with an attorney as soon as possible. The experienced lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, possess the skills and knowledge needed to help people hurt in animal attacks seek compensation for their losses. We are proud to uphold a record of favorable results, including many verdicts and settlements over one million dollars. We regularly represent injured parties in cases on Cape Cod and we can meet for consultations in Hyannis and Plymouth. You can contact us to schedule a meeting through our online form or at (888) 262-6664. Nós Falamos Português.