Dog Bite Injuries FAQ

Get to safety away from the dog and clean the wounds with soap and water immediately following a dog bite injury. Apply pressure with a clean towel to any wounds that are actively bleeding. Seek professional medical help from the closest emergency room, walk-in medical clinic, or your doctor’s office.

Yes, we advise seeking professional medical help after a dog bite regardless of how minor the wound appears. A dog’s mouth hosts innumerable types of bacteria which can cause serious infection. A doctor will properly cleanse the wound and may prescribe antibiotics to aid in treating or preventing infection. Based on the dog’s history, you may need an updated tetanus shot. Your medical provider will advise you how to care for the wound and monitor it for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or tenderness.

The owner of the dog responsible for your dog bite injuries may be held liable depending on where and how the attack occurred. Dog bite laws vary from state to state. Massachusetts dog bite laws are typically classified as “strict liability”, while the liability for Rhode Island dog bites varies depending on whether the attack took place within, or outside of, the dog’s enclosure. It’s critical to consult with an experienced dog bite attorney in RI or MA to ensure your case is handled properly. Attorney David Tapalian is fully knowledgeable of the legalities within each state and how they will apply to your particular case.

Three years. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim related to a dog bite injury is three years from the date of the incident. It’s recommended to consult with a dog bite injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident, don’t delay.

The amount of compensation awarded in a dog bite personal injury claim depends largely on the severity of the injuries. Contributing factors to the settlement commonly include medical expenses, lost income, surgery, scarring, lost earning potential, potential for full recovery and future limitations or treatments needed.

If the dog that attacked you has a past history of aggressive behavior, this may increase the compensation to which you are entitled. Specifically in Rhode Island, a dog owner may be liable for higher damages owed to the victim if the same dog has attacked in the past. Generally, a person injured by a dog with an aggressive past will have stronger grounds to request more compensation in their lawsuit against an owner who knew of their dog’s violent past.

Yes. In Massachusetts, dog owners have strict liability regardless of where the bite took place (with exception if the victim was trespassing, tormenting, or abusing the dog). In Rhode Island, the owner of the animal has strict liability for its actions if the dog was outside of its enclosure (i.e. inside its home or fenced in yard) when the attack occurred. If the injury took place inside the dog’s enclosure, the “one bite” rule may or may not apply based on the animal’s past history.

It is highly recommended to consult with an attorney after a dog bite injury. These types of wounds are highly susceptible to infection which can have severe complications. Injuries can result in permanent and/or disfiguring scarring and, particularly for young children, a traumatic dog attack can cause life-long distress. The dog’s owner should be held responsible for your monetary and non-monetary damages. An experienced dog bite lawyer like David Tapalian will ensure you get what you are entitled to and are properly compensated for your losses.