Were you or a loved one recently bitten by a dog or injured by a cat or another domesticated animal? A dog attack can be frightening, painful, and life-altering. At Ellis & Associates, our Worcester dog bite lawyers understand how traumatic these incidents are, and we fight tirelessly to help injured victims across Massachusetts recover the compensation they deserve. Your first consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Dogs Bite and Attack
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States. Dogs may attack for many reasons: territorial or defensive instincts, poor training, a history of abuse, etc. Some dogs bite to guard what they see as their territory or to assert dominance when they feel threatened, while others redirect aggression from an earlier incident. Dogs may also bite familiar people, including friends of the owner, which is a helpful reminder that humans cannot always predict how an animal will behave.
Why You Need Legal Counsel After a Dog Bite
Dog bites and animal attacks often cause serious physical injuries, including deep wounds, scarring, and disfigurement. Medical care — from emergency treatment to rehabilitation and plastic surgery — can be extremely expensive. Even a minor bite can lead to soreness, lingering wounds, and infection, especially when a dog carries dangerous bacteria in its mouth. Rabies and other illnesses can also be transmitted through a bite, creating health problems that may surface long after the attack.
If you have been hurt, you might assume that dealing with the insurance company is your only option. It isn’t. Insurance providers have a financial interest in paying you as little as possible. An experienced dog bite injury lawyer levels the playing field. Our legal team has extensive experience negotiating with insurers over dog bites and other animal attacks, and we know how to pursue the full value of your claim.
Trusted Massachusetts Dog Bite Attorneys
For more than 65 years, Ellis & Associates has represented injured people throughout Massachusetts and New England. Our attorneys have considerable experience advocating for dog bite victims and animal attack survivors, and we pursue full and fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
Founding attorney Nicholas Ellis leads a team focused on personal injury and workers’ compensation law, and we bring that focus to every dog bite and animal attack claim. The firm holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and as a family-centered, boutique practice, we give every client the personal attention and hands-on advocacy that larger firms often can’t match.
Serving Worcester and Central Massachusetts
From our office at 90 Madison Street in Worcester, we help injured clients throughout Worcester County and Central Massachusetts, including Leominster, Fitchburg, Shrewsbury, and Auburn, as well as communities across the Commonwealth. If you are searching for a dog bite lawyer near you, our team is ready to help. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Call 800-MR-ELLIS for a Free Case Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is liable for a dog bite in Massachusetts?
A. Under the Massachusetts dog bite statute (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155), a dog’s owner or keeper is strictly liable when the dog injures another person. This means you generally do not have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had bitten before. There are limited exceptions: an owner may not be held liable if, at the time of the incident, the injured person was trespassing, committing another tort, or provoking the dog by teasing, tormenting, or abusing it. Massachusetts law also presumes that a child under seven years old was doing none of these things, placing the burden on the dog’s owner to prove otherwise. Because these facts can get complicated, it is wise to speak with a dog bite attorney about your specific situation.
Q. How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
A. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front and owe no attorney’s fee unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free.
Q. What should I do after a dog bite?
A. Seek medical attention right away, identify the dog’s owner if you can, document your injuries, and contact a lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.
Q. How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
A. In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims — including dog bites — is three years from the date of the injury (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2A). Miss that deadline and you can lose your right to recover compensation, so it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack.