Legal Options When Knocked Down by Dog on Cape Cod
Dogs are excellent pets and make great companions, but they require adequate training and handling. Dogs can cause injury even when not biting, especially larger dogs. If you have an injury from a dog knocking you over, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Snow Law Firm has decades of experience helping people pursue legal restitution. If you have been knocked over by a dog and sustained an injury, our dog injury lawyer Attorney Snow can use his skills and knowledge of the law to help you.
Knockdown Dog Injuries
Dog bites are one of the most common kinds of dog injuries, but dogs do not have to bite to cause injuries. Large dogs can get overexcited, knocking you down and causing broken bones/lacerations. A dog could also step in front of you or move in front of your bike, causing you to trip and fall.
Children and seniors, in particular, are at a higher risk of injury from a dog knocking them over. Even a medium-sized dog can cause injury. Children, in particular, may be frightened by larger animals, which can cause them to run away and dogs to chase after them.
A dog knocking people over can cause cuts, bruising, broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, or joint injuries. Even if the dog did not intend to harm you, the owner or keeper will be liable for your injuries.
Dog Injuries and Strict Liability
Generally speaking, dog owners are responsible for their dog knocking you over or causing you to trip and fall to the ground. Whether a dog causes a bike accident or dog bite injury, pet owners have an obligation to control their pets to avoid injury to others and may be strictly liable if they do not.
Some owners tend to let their dogs run free from a leash, assuming that the dog will obey verbal commands, only to find out that is not always the case after someone is knocked down.
Dog Breeds
The statute, M.G.L. chapter 144, section 155, says, “If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any other person … the owner/keeper of the dog shall be liable for such damage.” So, the law does not take the dog’s breed and temperament into consideration when determining dog owner liability.
Liability Exceptions
The statute goes on to say, that owners are not liable for damages if an injured party was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing such dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If your dog knocks someone over and causes injury to them, you are legally responsible for the injury. Dog owners have a duty to control the dog’s behavior and a strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog with few exceptions.
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Evaluating a dog injury case is challenging. Many factors determine the value of your unique case. To start with, pain and suffering means physical pain and mental suffering. An injured party may have a physical or mental impairment as a result of a dog related injury than can be rated according to widely accepted medical publications. Competent lawyers will have medical providers render written reports that set forth the nature and scope of your permanent partial disability to maximize an award of damages for physical pain and mental suffering.
Other factors include:
• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earnings capacity
• Extent of injuries/scarring
• Loss of spousal consortium
How Can Attorney Snow Help After A Dog Knocked Me Over?
Dog injury cases require the following:
Gathering evidence at the scene of the injury
Interviewing witnesses and obtaining testimony
Negotiating with insurance companies
Obtaining medical documentation of injuries
Representing you in court
If a dog knocked you over and caused injury, it’s important to act quickly. The statute of limitations in Massachusetts for personal injury cases is three years from the day the injury occurred. If you neglect to file a suit before then, you will be forever barred from seeking financial compensation.
Attorney Steven T. Snow PC
Steven T. Snow worked his way through law school as a retail stockbroker with Merrill Lynch. After earning his law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1988, Attorney Snow worked for a Boston law firm that represented insurance companies. This experience provided him with an understanding of exactly how insurance companies value personal injury claims, and how they prepare for trial. He uses this knowledge to anticipate and counter his opponent’s defense strategies ensuring his clients obtain a judgment on their behalf. Attorney Snow bodily injuries and wrongful death claims through mediation and arbitration and trial.
Regardless of the type of injury you may have sustained, or the obstacles you may be facing, Attorney Steven T. Snow has the experience and skills to secure the best possible results in your case.
