Quincy Dog Bite Lawyer

Injured by a Dog in Quincy? Our Dog Bite Attorneys Can Help

A Quincy dog bite lawyer can help people injured in dog attacks seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, scarring, and other losses.

Under Massachusetts law, dog owners and keepers are generally responsible for injuries their dogs cause, even if the animal has never attacked anyone before.

A dog bite injury can involve deep wounds, infection, nerve damage, or permanent disfigurement. An attack can also cause harm without a bite if a dog knocks someone down or causes a fall.

Exceptions to the state’s liability law may apply when an injured person was trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

At Marasco & Nesselbush, our Quincy dog bite lawyers investigate the circumstances of the attack, determine who may be held responsible, and pursue fair compensation supported by the evidence.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a dog attack in Quincy, contact us for a free consultation about your legal rights and options.

Marasco & Nesselbush: Representing Injured Clients Since 1999

Marasco & Nesselbush has represented injury victims and their families since 1999 and has recovered more than $500 million across its practice areas.

Our attorneys have more than 350 years of combined legal experience. Thomas L. Moran, who handles personal injury and medical negligence matters, is admitted to practice in Massachusetts.

Our Quincy office is located at 234 Copeland Street, Suite 210, and serves clients throughout Norfolk County and the South Shore. We offer free consultations and assistance in English and Spanish.

Our Experience With Serious Dog Attack Injuries

Our firm has reported a confidential settlement for a client who lost part of a finger in a dog attack. The injury and resolution are described in our published dog bite case information.

We investigate ownership and control of the animal, review medical and veterinary records, identify applicable insurance, and document lasting injuries, including scarring and psychological harm.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every claim depends on its facts, supporting evidence, and applicable law.

We handle qualifying dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney fees, and attorney fees depend on a recovery under the written representation agreement, which also addresses case expenses.

Common Dog Bite and Dog Attack Injuries

Historical U.S. studies estimated approximately 4.5 million dog bites annually, while earlier CDC reporting identified roughly 800,000 people requiring medical care each year. These figures are historical estimates, not verified 2026 totals.

Dog attack victims can suffer injuries that require treatment well beyond the initial emergency visit. Children are particularly vulnerable to bites involving the face, head, and neck.

Common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds and infections: Deep bites can introduce bacteria, causing cellulitis, abscesses, or other complications requiring antibiotics or surgery.
• Scarring and tissue damage: Torn skin and injuries to the face, hands, or arms may require reconstructive treatment and cause permanent disfigurement.
• Nerve and tendon injuries: Damage to deeper tissues can lead to numbness, weakness, restricted movement, or lasting pain.
• Fractures and fall injuries: A dog may knock a person down or cause a fall during an attempt to escape.
• Psychological injuries: Fear of unfamiliar dogs, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and other trauma-related symptoms may require professional care.

Photographs taken during recovery and records of follow-up treatment can help show how the injuries developed and whether additional care will be needed.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dog Attack?

Massachusetts law generally holds a dog’s owner or keeper responsible for qualifying injuries. A keeper is someone who assumes sufficient custody, management, or control of the animal, not simply a person who happens to live with its owner.

Potentially responsible parties include:

• Dog owners: Pet owners may be liable for an injury even if they had no reason to believe their dog was dangerous.
• Dog keepers: Dog walkers, pet sitters, or boarding businesses may qualify as keepers depending on the control and responsibility they assumed.
• Parents or guardians: Under the Massachusetts statute, a parent or guardian may be liable when the owner or keeper is a minor.
• Landlords or property controllers: A separate negligence claim may be possible when a landlord had an applicable duty, knew or reasonably should have known of a foreseeable danger, and failed to take reasonable precautions.

Landlords are not automatically responsible for a tenant’s dog. Claims involving a landlord require separate proof of negligence; they do not arise merely because an attack occurred on the landlord’s property.

Massachusetts Dog Bite Laws

Strict Liability for Dog Owners and Keepers

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155, dog owners and keepers are generally liable for bodily injury or property damage caused by their dogs, subject to statutory defenses.

The injured person ordinarily does not need to establish the dog owner’s negligence, a prior bite, or knowledge of the animal’s vicious propensities. Massachusetts does not follow the so-called one-bite rule for claims covered by this statute.

The law also covers qualifying injuries caused by dogs without a bite. Proof that the dog’s actions caused the injury remains necessary.

Trespassing, Provocation, and Children Under Seven

Section 155 provides exceptions when the injured person was committing a trespass or another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog at the time of the injury.

An invited guest, delivery worker, or other authorized visitor is not automatically trespassing merely because the attack occurred on another person’s property. Whether someone entered without the owner’s permission and whether particular conduct qualifies as provocation depend on the facts.

Children younger than seven receive additional protection. The law presumes they were not trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. The defendant must overcome that presumption to rely on those defenses.

Dangerous Dogs, Nuisance Dogs, and Additional Damages

Chapter 140, Section 136A distinguishes a nuisance dog from a dangerous dog. A nuisance dog may include one that threatened or attacked a person or domestic animal without a grossly disproportionate reaction to the circumstances. A dangerous dog is defined separately and may include one that attacks without justification or poses an unjustified imminent threat.

Under Section 157, anyone may file a written complaint asking a municipal hearing authority to determine whether a dog is a nuisance or dangerous dog. The law states that breed, barking, or growling alone cannot establish a dangerous-dog designation. The authority also considers specified defensive behavior involving people or other animals.

A municipal designation is separate from a personal injury claim. A dog does not need to have been declared dangerous for an injured person to bring a claim under Section 155.

If a dog was formally declared dangerous before subsequently wounding a person, Chapter 140, Section 159 may provide for three times the damages sustained. Prior complaints alone do not satisfy that requirement.

Quincy Animal Control and Filing Deadlines

Quincy’s animal control ordinance generally prohibits owners and keepers from allowing dogs to run at large. A leash violation may provide relevant evidence, but a violation is not required to establish strict liability under Section 155.

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2A, most dog-related personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years after the claim accrues. Chapter 260, Section 7 may extend the filing period for certain claims belonging to minors. Other exceptions may apply.

Reporting a dog bite or negotiating with an insurance company does not ordinarily extend the filing deadline.

Insurance Coverage After a Dog Bite in Quincy

Homeowners or renters liability insurance may cover dog bite injuries, but coverage and policy limits vary depending on the insurer and contract.

Issues that can affect recovery include:

• Dog-related exclusions: Some policies exclude particular animals or claims involving prior aggressive behavior.
• Policy limits: Serious injuries may result in damages exceeding the available liability coverage.
• Additional coverage: An umbrella policy or another insured keeper’s policy may provide another source of recovery.
• Medical-payments coverage: Some policies provide limited payment for qualifying medical costs before liability is resolved.

A dog owner or keeper can still be legally responsible without insurance. However, recovering damages may be difficult if the responsible person lacks sufficient assets.

Compensation Available After a Quincy Dog Attack

Dog bite compensation may include economic damages for financial losses and noneconomic damages for pain, emotional suffering, and lasting physical effects.

Depending on the injuries and supporting evidence, recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, wound treatment, antibiotics, surgery, and follow-up appointments.
• Future medical care: Reconstructive surgery, scar revision, rehabilitation, and other medically supported treatment.
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Missed income during recovery and future losses caused by lasting work restrictions.
• Pain, scarring, and disfigurement: Physical suffering, permanent changes in appearance, and limitations on daily activities.
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, mental anguish, and other documented psychological effects of the attack.
• Other expenses: Medical supplies, prescriptions, transportation, and reasonable injury-related out-of-pocket costs.

The value of a claim depends on the medical evidence, long-term consequences, any statutory defenses, and available sources of payment. No particular settlement amount can be guaranteed.

Steps to Take After a Dog Attack in Quincy

Dog bites can cause infections and may require assessment for tetanus or rabies exposure. Seek medical attention promptly, even when the wound initially appears manageable.

The following steps can help protect your health and preserve evidence:

1. Get to safety and obtain medical care: Call 911 for severe injuries or an ongoing threat. Wash bite wounds with soap and running water, and follow medical advice about infection prevention, tetanus, and rabies.
2. Identify the dog and its handler: If safe, record the owner or keeper’s name, contact information, and vaccination details. Avoid approaching an uncontrolled animal.
3. Report the attack: Contact Quincy Animal Control at (617) 376-1364. Provide the location, description of the dog, and what happened.
4. Document injuries and witnesses: Photograph wounds during recovery, keep damaged clothing, collect witness contact details, and identify any cameras that may have recorded the incident.
5. Save medical and financial records: Keep treatment records, bills, work restrictions, insurance correspondence, and receipts. Animal control, licensing, and veterinary records may also help identify the dog and its history.
6. Discuss the claim with our Quincy dog bite lawyers: We can investigate ownership and insurance coverage, request preservation of evidence, and evaluate the compensation supported by your injuries.

Under Chapter 112, Section 12Z, physicians and qualifying medical facilities treating dog bites must report them to the appropriate local animal official within 24 hours.

Massachusetts rabies-control regulations require a 10-day quarantine after an animal inspector determines that a covered domestic animal bit or scratched a person, regardless of vaccination status. This disease control measure helps officials assess rabies risk. Follow medical and animal control guidance, especially if the dog cannot be located.

Contact Our Quincy Dog Bite Attorneys

A dog attack can leave lasting injuries and unexpected expenses, even when the dog belongs to a neighbor, friend, or relative.

Marasco & Nesselbush investigates dog bite claims, identifies responsible parties and available insurance, and negotiates for fair compensation. When a settlement cannot adequately resolve a supported claim, we can pursue legal action in the appropriate Massachusetts court.

Contact our Quincy office for a free consultation about your injuries, insurance questions, and legal options.

We handle qualifying cases on a contingency fee basis, with no upfront attorney fees. The written agreement explains attorney fees and case-related expenses.