What to Do After a Dog Attack: 7 Critical Steps | Joel H. Schwartz

Getting attacked by a dog is terrifying. If you’re searching for a boston dog bite lawyer, you’re probably dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, and the emotional fallout of the attack. If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog in Massachusetts, you’re probably wondering what to do next and whether you have legal rights.

The good news? You have options, and you’re not alone in this.

Get Medical Help Immediately (and a Boston Dog Bite Lawyer if You’re Hurt)

Your health comes first. Even if your injuries seem minor, you need to see a doctor right away. Dog bites can cause serious complications you might not notice immediately: infections, nerve damage, and deep tissue injuries that aren’t visible on the surface.

Here’s what you should do:

Clean the wound with soap and water if possible
Seek emergency care for deep wounds, severe bleeding, or bites to the face, hands, or neck
Get evaluated by a doctor even for “small” bites
Ask about rabies risk and tetanus shots
Follow all treatment recommendations

For practical medical guidance on prevention and what to do after a bite, the CDC has a helpful overview here: CDC: Dog Bites.

Medical records from your visit will also become crucial evidence if you decide to pursue compensation. These documents show the extent of your injuries, the treatment you needed, and the costs you’ve already incurred.

Report the Dog Attack

Once you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs, you need to report what happened. This creates an official record of the incident and helps protect others in your community from the same dog.

Contact these authorities:

Local police department – File a formal report with all details of the attack
Animal control – They’ll investigate and determine if the dog is dangerous
Board of Health – Required in many Massachusetts communities for dog bite incidents

Don’t worry if you don’t know the dog owner’s name or address. Animal control can help track down that information. What matters is getting the incident on record as soon as possible.

Document Everything You Can

Evidence makes or breaks dog bite cases. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim becomes.

Take these steps right away:

Photograph your injuries from multiple angles (and continue photographing as they heal)
Get photos of torn clothing or damaged property
Write down exactly what happened while the details are fresh
Collect names and contact information for any witnesses
Note the dog’s appearance, breed, and location of the attack
Keep records of all medical treatment and expenses

Save every receipt related to your injuries: medical bills, prescription costs, transportation to appointments, lost wages from missed work. These records prove the financial impact the attack had on your life.

Understanding Massachusetts Dog Bite Laws

Massachusetts has specific laws that protect dog bite victims. Understanding your rights under these laws helps you recognize when you have a valid claim.

Massachusetts follows strict liability for dog bites. This means the dog owner is automatically responsible if their dog causes injury: regardless of whether the dog had bitten anyone before or whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 155, a dog owner is liable when:

Their dog causes physical injury or property damage to someone
The victim was lawfully on the property where the attack occurred
The victim wasn’t tormenting or abusing the dog

You don’t have to prove the owner was negligent or did anything wrong. The simple fact that their dog caused your injuries is enough to hold them accountable.

The statute of limitations matters. In Massachusetts, you have three years from the date of the dog attack to file a lawsuit. That might sound like a long time, but evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and building a strong case takes time. The sooner you contact a boston dog bite lawyer, the better your chances of maximum compensation.

When Should You Call a Dog Bite Lawyer?

Not every dog bite requires an attorney. A minor scratch that needed a band-aid probably doesn’t warrant legal action. But if your situation involves any of the following, you should reach out to a dog bite lawyer right away:

Serious injuries – Deep wounds, facial injuries, broken bones, or injuries requiring surgery
Scarring or disfigurement – Permanent marks, especially on visible areas
Medical bills exceeding a few hundred dollars – The more extensive your treatment, the more you deserve in compensation
Ongoing treatment needs – Physical therapy, reconstructive surgery, or psychological counseling
Lost income – Time off work due to your injuries
Insurance company problems – Low settlement offers, denied claims, or pressure to settle quickly
Questions about liability – The dog owner denies responsibility or claims you provoked the attack

At Joel H. Schwartz, P.C., we’ve handled thousands of dog bite cases in our 60+ years serving Massachusetts. If you need a boston dog bite lawyer who knows how these cases work, we can help. We know the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts, and we know how to fight back.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Dog bite victims in Massachusetts can recover compensation for multiple types of damages. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for someone else’s failure to control their animal.

Economic damages cover your financial losses:

All medical expenses (emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, medications)
Future medical costs if you need ongoing treatment
Lost wages from time off work
Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
Property damage (torn clothing, damaged phone, etc.)

Non-economic damages address the less tangible impact:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and trauma
Anxiety around dogs
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life

Many dog attack victims develop lasting psychological effects. The trauma doesn’t end when your physical wounds heal. You deserve compensation for the emotional toll as well.

Why Choose Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. for Your Dog Bite Case

We’ve been protecting the rights of injured Massachusetts residents for over 60 years. In that time, we’ve successfully resolved more than 30,000 claims and recovered millions of dollars for our clients.

When you work with us, you get:

Experienced advocates – We know Massachusetts dog bite laws inside and out
Personalized attention – You’re not just a case number; we take time to understand your unique situation
No upfront costs – We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case
Free consultations – Reach out with no obligation to discuss your case

We handle all the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on healing. From dealing with insurance companies to gathering evidence to negotiating maximum compensation, we fight for what you deserve every step of the way.

Our achievements speak for themselves, but what matters most to us is the real difference we make in our clients’ lives.

Don’t Wait to Get Help

The days and weeks following a dog attack are overwhelming. You’re dealing with pain, medical appointments, and probably worrying about money. The last thing you want to think about is a legal claim.

But waiting too long can hurt your case. Evidence becomes harder to find, witnesses move away or forget details, and you might miss important deadlines.

A quick phone call costs you nothing but could change everything. We offer free consultations where we’ll review what happened, explain your rights, and outline your options. There’s no pressure, no obligation: just honest advice from attorneys who’ve been fighting for injury victims since the 1960s.

You can reach us easily at our office, and we’re happy to meet you wherever is most convenient for you. Many of our dog bite clients initially felt uncertain about pursuing a claim. They worried about the process, the cost, or whether their case was “serious enough.” But after learning their rights and understanding what they deserved, they felt empowered to take action.

Dog attacks leave lasting physical and emotional scars. You shouldn’t have to shoulder that burden alone or pay for someone else’s negligent pet ownership. Massachusetts law is on your side, and we’re here to make sure you get every dollar you’re entitled to.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, give us a call today. If you’re looking for a boston dog bite lawyer in Massachusetts, we’re here for you. With 60+ years of experience and more than 30,000 claims resolved, we have the knowledge and track record to maximize your compensation. Remember: you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Let us fight for you while you focus on healing.