Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Police have identified the man who was mauled by dogs on the Brentwood property owned by movie star Ving Rhames as Jacob Adams. Adams lived on the property and had been employed to take care of the actor’s dogs.
Medical examiners are still trying to determine whether Adams died as a result of the numerous dog bites he sustained during the attack or from heart failure during the attack.
Animal services have confiscated an English bulldog and three bull mastiffs that were living on Rhames’ property.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured because a dog owned by someone else attacked you, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against that person.
In Massachusetts, a dog owner or the person in charged of caring for the dog can be held liable for personal injury, unless the attack victim was teasing, abusing, or tormenting the dog or trespassing on the property where the dog resides.
Under the General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 140: Section 155:
Section 155. If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, is under seven years of age at the time the damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action.
Unlike personal injury cases involving car accidents, medical malpractice, and product liability, you do not have to prove that the owner was negligent in a dog bite case in Massachusetts.
Dog bite injuries can be serious and life threatening. Puncture wounds, severed limbs, facial disfigurements, and internal injuries, are just some of the injuries that can result during a dog attack. Post-traumatic stress and depression are other side effects that can result after a dog attack.
Police Identify Man Who Died in Dog Attack at Actor Ving Rhames’ Home, Voice of America, August 6, 2007
Massachusetts Dog Bite Law
Related Web Resources:
Reporting a Bite, Town of Wayland, Massachusetts
Dog Bite Statistics, Dog Expert.com
If you have been seriously injured in a dog attack anywhere in Massachusetts, or if someone you love was killed by a dog, do not hesitate to contact Altman & Altman LLP. One of our dog bite attorneys can help you with your claim and we will do everything we can to obtain your recovery from the accident.
