DOG BITES AND DOG INJURIES
According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care. The U.S. population was approximately 328.2 million people in 2019 so that means a dog bites 1 out of every 73 people.
Some common breeds that are known to bite the most include:
– Bulldog
– Pit Bull
– German Shepard
– Jack Russell Terrier
– Bull Terrier
– Pekingese
Some of the most common injuries as a result of dog bites include:
– Scars
– Face Injuries
– Broken Bones
– Nerve Damage
– Sprains
– Infections
– Nerve Damage
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155: Liability For Damage Caused By Dog; Minors; Presumption And Burden Of Proof provides:
“If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper to be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, is under seven years of age at the time the damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, or tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action.” View Citation
The above referenced statute means strict liability for damages caused by a dog in most scenarios. This statute also does not only apply to dog bite injuries. Although dog bites, are the most common injury, injuries can be caused by dogs jumping or running into people. This is a very tough law on dog owners but is helpful to victims of dog bites and dog injuries.
Attorney Russell Luiz has the knowledge and expertise necessary to pursue dog bite or dog injury claims. He has successfully represented claims of this nature and will fight for the best possible outcome. Anyone who has suffered an injury caused by a dog should contact Russ for a free consultation.
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