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Dog bite law in Massachusetts

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 08:06
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My son got bit by a dog from a neighbor's house when he was walking home from school. The owner came running out to yank the dog back in the house but not until my son had a huge cut on his leg that required stitches at the emergency room. Should I handle this on my own without an attorney and if so how do I do that? The guy who owns the dog gave me his insurance information for his homeowners insurance.

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Dog bite law

Submitted by The Editor on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 18:31.

Sorry about your son.  First, follow this link to a post about dog bite law in Massachusetts.   Typically, it is a good idea to have an attorney represent you whenever you have to deal with an insurance company.  The bottom line is, the insurance company is going to try to pay you as little as possible to make your claim "go away."  Also, as discussed in the linked post, above, in some cases, victims of dog bites may be entitled to triple damages.

However, if you simply want the insurance company to reimburse you for the hospital bill and decide to handle the matter on your own, the procedure is fairly straightforward.  You must give the dog owner written notice of your claim, and you should do that by certified mail so you have a record of the notice.  Then you contact the insurer's claim department, copy your bills, and send them to the insurer.  Again, certified mail is good.  Remember, if you try to do this on your own, and the insurance company does not cooperate or refuses to pay all the bills, you can still contact an attorney to pursue your claim.

 

Hi:I am sorry to hear about

Submitted by Attorney Christ... on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:17.

Hi: I am sorry to hear about that. Generally, insurance companies take advantage of claimants who do not have the benefit of counsel. Be very careful not to sign anything given to you by the insurance company until you have had it reviewed by counsel. Also, the age of your son is determinative. If he is young enough, the insurance company will not be able to raise any of the defenses enumerated in the dog bite statute. I assure you the insurance adjuster will not bring this to your attention. Chris
 
Law Offices of Christopher F. Earley
Representation of the Injured
44-46 Temple Place, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02111
blog: http://www.injurylawyerboston.com
blog: http://www.bostonautoaccident.net
blog: http://www.bostonslipandfallattorney.com
web site: http://www.chrisearley.com
 

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