What You Should Do After a Dog Bite in Massachusetts

Practical guidance from Bodkin & Mason, LLP for dog-bite victims in Worcester and throughout Central Massachusetts.

A dog bite is frightening, painful, and often confusing. In the first few minutes after an attack, most people are thinking about stopping the bleeding and getting away from the dog—not about insurance coverage or a possible legal claim. That is exactly as it should be. Your health and safety come first.

Over the years, we have spoken with injured people who waited to seek care because a wound did not look serious at first. Others assumed they had no claim because the dog had never bitten anyone before or because the owner was a friend, neighbor, or relative. Those assumptions can create problems later.

If you or a family member is bitten by a dog in Worcester or elsewhere in Massachusetts, the following steps can help protect your health and preserve important information about what happened.

First, Get Medical Care

Move away from the dog and get to a safe place. If the attack is continuing, the bleeding is severe, or the victim appears seriously hurt, call 911.

Even a relatively small puncture wound deserves attention. Dog bites can become infected, and an injury to the hand, face, joint, muscle, tendon, or nerve may be more serious than it initially appears. Wash the wound carefully with soap and water, cover it with a clean dressing, and seek prompt medical advice.

A physician or emergency department can clean and evaluate the wound, decide whether stitches or other treatment are needed, and address tetanus or rabies concerns. Prompt treatment also creates a medical record documenting the injury and when it occurred.

Identify the Dog and Its Owner

If it can be done safely, obtain the dog owner’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance information. Ask for the dog’s license and vaccination information as well. If anyone witnessed the attack, get that person’s name and contact information.

You do not need to argue with the owner or decide who is legally responsible at the scene. Simply gather the basic facts. If the dog is loose or the owner cannot be identified, contact the police or the local animal control officer.

Report the Attack

The incident should be reported to animal control or the police department in the city or town where it happened.

An official report may help establish the dog’s identity, ownership, vaccination status, and any prior history of aggressive behavior. Reporting the attack may also prevent someone else from being injured.

Photograph the Injuries and Preserve the Evidence

Dog-bite injuries change quickly. Bruising and swelling can become more pronounced over the next several days, while a wound may begin healing before an insurance representative ever sees it. Take clear photographs as soon as possible and continue taking them throughout the healing process.

Photograph torn or bloodstained clothing and the place where the attack occurred. If a broken fence, open gate, damaged leash, or another condition contributed to the incident, photograph that too. Do not approach the dog to get a picture.

Keep copies of medical bills, prescriptions, discharge instructions, wage-loss records, and communications from the owner or an insurance company. A brief daily note about pain, sleep problems, missed work, anxiety, or limits on ordinary activities can also be useful.

Do not post photographs, details of the attack, or comments about the dog owner on social media. An insurance company may review those posts and use them out of context.

How Massachusetts Dog-Bite Law Works

Massachusetts law generally makes the owner or keeper of a dog responsible when the animal causes injury to a person or damage to property. A victim usually does not have to show that the dog had bitten someone before.

There are exceptions. Responsibility may be disputed if the injured person was trespassing, committing another wrongful act, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog at the time. For a child under seven, Massachusetts law provides a presumption concerning these issues and places the burden on the defendant to prove otherwise.

Every case turns on its own facts. A dog owner or insurance adjuster may have an opinion about what happened, but that opinion does not decide whether the victim has a valid claim.

When Should You Call a Dog-Bite Attorney?

Our practical answer is to call once the immediate medical needs have been addressed, particularly when any of the following is true:

• The bite broke the skin or required medical treatment.
• The victim is a child.
• The injury involves the face, hand, joint, nerve, muscle, or tendon.
• Stitches, surgery, specialist care, counseling, or physical therapy may be needed.
• The injury may leave a scar or another permanent condition.
• The victim missed work or lost income.
• The owner denies responsibility or claims the dog was provoked.
• The dog has attacked someone before.
• The attack occurred at a rental property, business, or public location.
• An insurance company wants a recorded statement, medical authorization, or quick settlement.

You do not need to wait until treatment is finished or an insurance claim has been denied. An early conversation with an attorney can help preserve evidence, locate witnesses, identify available insurance coverage, and prevent avoidable mistakes.

Massachusetts personal injury claims are generally subject to a three-year filing deadline. That does not mean it is wise to wait. Video can be erased, witnesses can become difficult to find, and memories fade. In some situations, additional notice requirements or deadlines may apply.

Be Careful With the Insurance Company

After a dog bite, an insurance adjuster may call and appear eager to help. Remember that the adjuster works for the insurance company. A request for a recorded statement or a broad medical authorization should be reviewed carefully.

A quick settlement may sound appealing, especially when bills are arriving. It may not account for future treatment, permanent scarring, lost income, or the emotional effect of the attack. Once a claim is settled and a release is signed, the victim usually cannot return for additional compensation.

What May Be Recovered in a Dog-Bite Claim?

Depending on the circumstances, a claim may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Counseling expenses
• Damaged personal property

The value of a claim depends on the nature of the injury, the recovery, the available evidence, and the applicable insurance coverage.



Speak With a Worcester Dog-Bite Attorney

At Bodkin & Mason, LLP, we represent people injured in dog attacks in Worcester and throughout Massachusetts and New England. We understand that many victims are uncomfortable bringing a claim when the dog belongs to someone they know. In most cases, the claim is handled through an insurance policy rather than being paid personally by a friend, neighbor, or family member.

Our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience. We offer free, same-day consultations, direct access to an attorney, and home or hospital visits when needed. There is no legal fee unless the case is resolved in your favor.

If you or your child has been injured by a dog, call Bodkin & Mason at (508) 459-6253. We will listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options.

This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every dog-bite case is different, and you should consult a qualified Massachusetts attorney about your specific circumstances.