Our 52-year-old client, a dedicated municipal worker, was performing his flood prevention duties when an act of heroism to protect a teenage coworker resulted in a vicious dog attack that would leave him permanently scarred. As an experienced city employee with years of service maintaining critical brook systems, he encountered an aggressive dog that posed an immediate threat to his 17-year-old summer helper.
Without hesitation, our client stepped between the growling, aggressive dog and the young employee under his supervision, absorbing the full force of a vicious attack that resulted in multiple facial lacerations and permanent disfigurement. This heroic act of protection exemplifies our client’s courage and dedication to his public service role.
Clear Evidence of Owner Negligence and Strict Liability
This case represents multiple violations of Massachusetts law and basic safety principles by a dog owner who failed to control a dangerous animal. Strict liability laws in Massachusetts impose absolute liability on dog owners.
At the time of the incident, the dog owner was present outside and failed to secure the dog despite knowledge of the municipal worker’s access needs. The property owner was aware that city workers needed regular access to the area for flood prevention, and he acknowledged that the dog “wasn’t friendly” and prone to dangerous propensities.
Serious Facial Injuries Requiring Extensive Treatment
The vicious dog attack caused our client to suffer multiple serious facial lacerations with potential for permanent scarring:
Multiple Facial Lacerations:
- 2cm laceration through the vermilion border of the right upper lip
- 1cm laceration parallel to the lip laceration
- 2.5cm V-shaped laceration on left chin
- Left shoulder contusion from the attack force
Significant Facial Trauma:
- Lacerations in highly visible areas, directly affecting appearance and self-confidence
- Damage to the lip’s vermilion border, requiring delicate surgical repair
- Complex wounds that needed multiple sutures
- Ongoing risk of permanent scarring in prominent facial locations
Physical Disfigurement:
- Multiple permanent scars in visible facial areas
- Lip damage interfering with speech and eating
- Noticeable impact on professional appearance as a municipal employee
- Visible scarring serves as a daily reminder of the attack
Emotional and Psychological Impact:
- Trauma from being attacked while performing a heroic act
- Persistent concern over scarring and changes in appearance
- Reduced self-confidence and difficulties in social interactions
- Stress from the responsibility of protecting the teenage employee under his supervision
Professional Responsibilities:
- Must continue performing flood-prevention work in similar high-risk situations
- Regular public interaction as part of municipal duties
- Potential hesitation in responding to future emergencies involving animal threats
- Added pressure in his leadership rol, supervising young seasonal employees
Successful $35,000 Settlement Achievement
Our legal team successfully negotiated a $35,000 settlement that provided comprehensive compensation for our client’s dog bite injuries and their lasting impact on his appearance and quality of life. This result reflects the clear strict liability of the dog owner and the serious nature of permanent facial scarring affecting a municipal employee who heroically protected a teenage coworker.
The settlement addressed:
- All medical expenses for emergency care and follow-up treatment
- Pain and suffering from multiple facial lacerations and permanent scarring
- Impact on appearance and self-confidence from visible facial damage
- Recognition of a heroic act in protecting a teenage municipal employee
- Ongoing concerns about permanent disfigurement in highly visible areas
Protecting Municipal Workers from Dangerous Animals
Dog bite cases involving municipal workers performing essential public duties require immediate legal action to ensure property owners properly control their animals around public employees. Massachusetts’ dog bite law’s strict liability nature provides strong protection for workers who risk their safety to serve the public.
Our legal team understands the serious consequences of dog attacks on public employees and the unique challenges faced by workers whose jobs require interaction with the public despite visible scarring. We are committed to holding negligent dog owners accountable and ensuring that injured municipal workers receive full compensation.
Massachusetts dog bite law provides protection by:
- Imposing strict liability regardless of the dog’s previous behavior
- Eliminating the need to prove owner negligence or knowledge
- Protecting municipal workers performing official duties
- Ensuring compensation for both physical and psychological injuries
The Heroism of Public Service
This case demonstrates the daily courage required of municipal employees who risk their safety to protect public welfare. Our client’s immediate response to protect a teenage employee under his supervision exemplifies the dedication and heroism of public servants who put others’ safety before their own.
The permanent facial scarring serves as a daily reminder of our client’s heroic act and the serious consequences when property owners fail to control dangerous animals around public employees performing essential services.
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog while performing work duties, our experienced legal team is here to help. We will thoroughly investigate the incident, ensure proper medical documentation, and fight for the full compensation you deserve under Massachusetts’ strict liability law.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your dog bite case and learn about your legal rights as a municipal employee.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and results depend on specific facts and circumstances. This case result is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.