Dog Attacks on Children in Massachusetts: Protecting Their Health and Their Future

When your child is hurt by a dog, your entire world stops. You aren’t just dealing with a physical injury. You are managing your child’s fear, the sudden medical bills, and the uncertainty of what comes next. Dog attacks on children in Massachusetts are unfortunately common, but the legal path to recovery is very specific.

At Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., we have spent over 60 years helping families navigate these traumatic moments. We know that a child’s injury is different from an adult’s. It requires a deeper level of care and a legal strategy that looks years into the future.

If you are looking for a Boston Dog Bite Lawyer, you need someone who understands the medical nuances of a growing body. You need an ally who has recovered over $500 million for victims. Most importantly, you need someone who puts your child’s future first.

Why Children Are at Higher Risk

Children are small. They are often at eye level with a dog. This physical reality makes dog attacks particularly dangerous for them. While an adult might get bitten on the leg or hand, a child is much more likely to suffer injuries to the face, neck, or head.

These injuries aren’t just surface-level scratches. They often involve deep tissue damage, nerve issues, and significant scarring. Because children are still growing, a dog bite can cause complications that last a lifetime. A scar on a five-year-old will change and stretch as they grow. This is why these cases are high-stakes and require expert legal handling.

Massachusetts Law: The “Strict Liability” Advantage

Fortunately, Massachusetts has some of the strongest protections in the country for dog bite victims. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155, dog owners are held to a standard of “strict liability.”

Here is what that means for you:

• No “One Free Bite”: In some states, an owner is only liable if the dog has bitten someone before. Not here. In Massachusetts, the owner is responsible even if the dog has never shown aggression.
• The Age Seven Rule: If your child is under the age of seven, the law presumes they did not provoke the dog. The burden of proof shifts to the dog owner to prove otherwise, which is very difficult to do.
• Liability regardless of location: Whether the attack happened on a public sidewalk or at a neighbor’s house, the owner is typically responsible.

We know how to use these laws to build a rock-solid case for your family. We focus on clear liability to ensure you get the maximum compensation available.

Protecting the Future: Growth Plates and Plastic Surgery

When we handle a case involving a child, we don’t rush to settle. Why? Because a child’s body is a work in progress. One of the most critical factors in dog bite scarring compensation is timing.

The Problem with Growth Plates

If a dog bite affects a child’s joints or face, it can interfere with their growth plates. If we settle the case before we know how those injuries will heal, we might leave money on the table that your child will need for future surgeries.

Waiting for Maturity

Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting until a child stops growing: or at least until their facial structure matures: before performing final scar revision surgeries. This could be years after the initial attack.

We work with top medical experts to project these future costs. We ensure that any settlement covers not just the ER visit from yesterday, but the reconstructive surgery your child might need ten years from now.

Seeking Maximum Dog Bite Scarring Compensation

Scarring is more than just a cosmetic issue. For a child, it can lead to psychological trauma, bullying, and a loss of self-esteem. We believe the law should account for all of this.

When we calculate the value of your case, we look at:

• Current and future medical bills.
• Specialized plastic surgery costs.
• Psychological counseling for PTSD or fear of animals.
• Pain and suffering.
• The permanent nature of the disfigurement.

You can learn more about how we evaluate these non-economic damages in our guide on what is pain and suffering.

The “Bill of Rights” for Injured Children in Massachusetts

If your child has been attacked by a dog, you deserve to know where you stand. We believe every injured child has the following rights:

1. The Right to Quality Medical Care: You have the right to seek the best specialists, including pediatric plastic surgeons.
2. The Right to a Fair Recovery: You are entitled to compensation regardless of whether the dog owner is a friend or neighbor. (In most cases, their homeowners’ insurance pays the claim).
3. The Right to Future Security: Your child’s settlement should account for their needs throughout their entire childhood and into adulthood.
4. The Right to Specialized Representation: You have the right to a lawyer who understands the unique legal presumptions for children under seven.
5. The Right to Peace of Mind: You shouldn’t have to talk to aggressive insurance adjusters. Your lawyer should handle all communication.

Why Choose Joel H. Schwartz, P.C.?

You have probably seen billboards for “big” law firms. But high-value cases involving children require a personal touch and decades of specific experience. Here is why families trust us:

• 60+ Years of History: We have been a staple of the Boston legal community for over six decades.
• $500M+ Recovered: Our track record speaks for itself. We know how to get results.
• 185+ Years of Combined Experience: Our team has seen every tactic insurance companies use to devalue claims.
• 30,000+ Claims Handled: We have the resources of a large firm but provide the attention of a boutique practice.
• Personalized Strategy: We don’t use a “cookie-cutter” approach. We wait for growth plates to close and for medical clarity because we care about your child’s health.

For more information on keeping your family safe, feel free to check out our newsletter on dog safety for kids.

How We Handle the “Awkward” Neighbor Situation

Often, a dog attack happens at the home of a friend or family member. Many parents hesitate to take legal action because they don’t want to “sue their friend.”

Here is the thing: You aren’t taking money out of your friend’s pocket. You are making a claim against their homeowners’ insurance policy. That is exactly why people have insurance. We handle these cases with the sensitivity they deserve, ensuring your child gets care without destroying your personal relationships.

Your Next Steps

The clock is ticking on your claim. While the statute of limitations gives you time, evidence can disappear. Witnesses forget details. The dog owner might move.

If your child was a victim of a dog attack, don’t wait. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your child’s health and their future. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we win your case.

Reach out to us today. Let’s make sure your child has the resources they need to heal fully: both physically and emotionally.

Call Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. at [Insert Phone Number] or visit https://www.joelhschwartz.com to start your free case evaluation.