Dog Bites

Dog Bite Attorney in Braintree

Serving Braintree Dog Bite Victims Since 1985, with Tens of Thousands of Cases Behind Us

Massachusetts law gives dog bite victims unusually strong legal footing. Under M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 155, dog owners and keepers are strictly liable for injuries their animals cause, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before. At Kenney & Conley, we’ve been helping seriously injured people in Braintree and throughout Norfolk County since 1985, and we’re ready to put that depth of experience to work on your claim.

Representation is on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultations are available, and we offer virtual appointments for your convenience.

If you or someone you love was injured in a dog attack in the Braintree area, call our dog bite attorneys today at (781) 488-1190 to schedule a free consultation.

How Massachusetts Dog Bite Law Works

Most states require a bite victim to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Massachusetts doesn’t. There is no “one free bite” rule here. Under the strict liability standard established by the statute, you need to show only that the dog caused your injury and that you weren’t provoking, tormenting, or abusing the animal at the time.

Liability extends beyond the dog’s registered owner to anyone acting as a keeper, including dog walkers, dog sitters, and others who were exercising custody and control of the animal when the incident occurred. The statute also covers injuries beyond bites: being knocked down, scratched, or chased in a way that causes physical harm can all give rise to a claim.

The law does protect owners in limited circumstances. If the injured person was trespassing, committing a tort, or teasing or abusing the dog, the owner may avoid liability. One important protection for families: children under seven are presumed by the statute not to have provoked the dog, and the burden shifts to the defendant to prove otherwise.

The statute of limitations for dog bite claims in Massachusetts is three years from the date of injury under M.G.L. Chapter 260, Section 2A. Missing that window can forfeit your right to recover, which is why contacting an attorney promptly matters.

Compensation Available After a Dog Attack

Dog bite injuries range from lacerations and puncture wounds to nerve damage, scarring, and lasting psychological harm. The damages you can pursue reflect that full range.

Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the concrete financial losses: emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, physical therapy, and projected future medical costs. If the attack kept you out of work, you can also seek lost wages and, where injuries are severe, compensation for reduced future earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the harm that doesn’t appear on a medical bill. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life are all recognized categories. Permanent scarring or disfigurement carries its own compensable value. Psychological injuries, including anxiety, PTSD, and fear of dogs that requires ongoing professional care, are compensable under Massachusetts law.

Most dog bite claims are made through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy. We investigate all available coverage sources so no avenue of recovery is overlooked.

Why Braintree Families Choose Kenney & Conley

Our firm is based here in Braintree. We know Norfolk County courts, we know local practice, and we bring that familiarity to every case we handle in this community. That local presence matters when a claim heads toward litigation.

Over our history, we’ve handled tens of thousands of personal injury cases and recovered over ten million dollars for our clients. We prepare every matter with the strategy and attention it deserves, and we’re fully prepared to take a case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached. That trial readiness can shape how insurers respond before any courtroom appearance becomes necessary.

We also work hard to stay accessible throughout your case. Our attorneys are available 24/7 by phone and AI support, we offer virtual consultations for your convenience, and we provide Spanish-language representation for clients who prefer it.

Start Your Dog Bite Claim with a Free Consultation

A free consultation with Kenney & Conley costs you nothing and carries no obligation. We can review the circumstances of your attack, explain your rights under Massachusetts law, and tell you honestly what we think of your claim. If we take your case, we do so on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

We’re available around the clock. Don’t wait until the evidence fades or the filing deadline draws closer. Call our dog bite lawyers in Braintree at (781) 488-1190 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Braintree

The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog attack directly affect your health and your ability to recover compensation. Even wounds that look minor should be evaluated by a medical provider right away. Documentation from the outset establishes a clear record connecting your injuries to the incident.

While you’re still at the scene or shortly afterward, take these steps:

Immediate actions after a dog attack:

Get the dog owner’s or keeper’s name, contact information, and proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination status
Photograph all injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and the dog if you can do so safely
Collect names and contact information from any witnesses
Report the incident to Braintree Animal Control or the Braintree Police Department to create an official record
Avoid giving statements to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney, as early statements can be used to reduce or deny your claim

Security camera footage from nearby homes or businesses can be critical evidence, but it’s often overwritten within days. Contacting an attorney quickly can allow a preservation letter to be sent before that footage disappears. The three-year statute of limitations gives you time to build your claim, but the evidence window is much shorter.

When Liability Extends Beyond the Dog’s Owner

If the dog’s registered owner has limited assets or no applicable insurance, the claim may not end there. Massachusetts law recognizes keepers as separately liable under the same strict liability standard that applies to owners.

A keeper, as Massachusetts courts have defined it, is someone who harbors a dog with an assumption of custody, management, and control. That can include a neighbor watching someone’s dog for a week, a professional dog sitter, or a dog walker who had the animal when the injury occurred. Each of those individuals can be held liable for injuries the dog causes during their period of control.

Landlords occupy different legal ground. They aren’t subject to strict liability under the statute, but a landlord who knew a tenant’s dog had shown aggressive behavior and failed to act can face a negligence claim. Where the registered owner’s coverage is limited, identifying keeper or property-owner liability may be what makes a meaningful recovery possible.

When we take on a dog bite case, one of the first things we do is investigate all potentially responsible parties and all available insurance sources. Leaving any avenue unexplored isn’t something we’re willing to do.

Contact Us

At Kenney & Conley, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (781) 488-1190 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members. Hablamos español.

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A Firm Focused on Injury Law

A Longstanding Legal Practice in Braintree

Decades of Experience
With more than 30 years of experience working together, our attorneys bring deep knowledge and proven strategies to complex personal injury cases.
Focused Injury Practice
We concentrate on serious personal injury matters, including catastrophic injuries, construction accidents, truck collisions, and wrongful death cases.
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We guide clients through every step of the legal process, providing clear communication and support throughout the life of their case.
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Every case is approached with careful preparation and a strategic mindset, ensuring we are ready to advocate effectively whether negotiating or litigating.

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