Additional Information:
A furniture delivery guy came to my house in Framingham last week. My dog got out of the bedroom and jumped on him. My dog bit his leg and knocked the guy over. He fell and banged his head on a table. I’m worried he might sue me. Would he have a case?
ATTORNEY ANSWER:
Yes, the delivery person will have a case if he suffered bodily injuries or other damages. In Massachusetts, dogs have their own statute. Several decades ago the Massachusetts state legislature enacted a written law–a statute–that makes the owner or “keeper” of a domestic dog “strictly” liable for any injuries the dog may cause. A “keeper” is simply a person who has control over the animal at the time of an incident. “Strict” liability means that an injured person is not required to prove that the owner or keeper was negligent or did anything wrong. The statute only requires that the dog injure a person. The few defenses available to the owner or keeper of a dog include trespass or teasing the dog (except a minor under seven years old.) For example, if a trespassing burglar is attacked by your guard dog, the felon is not going to get the benefit of the Massachusetts dog statute. One other important point: your homeowner’s insurance policy will normally cover these types of cases. The injury caused by your dog need not occur on your property. If you are walking your dog in the park and he injures someone, your homeowner’s insurance usually will pay any damages on your behalf.
The Framingham dog bite lawyers at the law firm of Krasnow, Keller & Boris represents victims involved in motor vehicle accidents, construction site injuries, premises liability claims, slip and fall injuries, negligence cases, workers compensation claims, and social security disability matters.
Our experienced dog bite attorneys provide legal services to individuals, families and businesses throughout the Greater Boston region as well as all of Massachusetts. Located in the Boston Metrowest town of Framingham, our attorneys serve adjacent communities including Ashland, Cambridge, Dedham, Dover, Hopkinton, Holliston, Lowell, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Natick, Needham, Newton, Sherborn, Sudbury, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Middlesex County and Worcester County.