Dog Bites Attorneys Serving Brookline Residents
If a dog bit you in Brookline, the owner or keeper is liable under M.G.L. c. 140, sec. 155 without any proof the dog had bitten before; the only defenses are that you were trespassing or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog, and a child under seven is presumed to have done neither.
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The Brookline answer in plain language
Massachusetts is a strict-liability state for dog attacks under M.G.L. c. 140 sec. 155. The owner or keeper of the dog is liable for the injury without any need to prove the animal had bitten before or that the owner knew it was dangerous, so the common-law one-bite rule does not apply here. The statute provides only two defenses: that the injured person was trespassing, or that the person was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog at the time. A child under the age of seven is presumed by the statute not to have done either, which strengthens claims involving young children. Recovery usually comes from the owner's homeowner or renter insurance. The three-year limitations period under M.G.L. c. 260 sec. 2A applies. Jim Glaser Law evaluates Massachusetts dog-bite cases at no cost. Dog-bite matters are accepted on contingency, meaning no attorney's fee unless and until the matter resolves with a recovery to the client; case-related costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement.
The full Massachusetts rules, statutes and typical timeline are on the dog bites page; this page covers what is specific to Brookline.
Courts that serve Brookline for dog bites matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, the Municipal Court of Brookline has a judicial district of its own that covers Brookline alone. Brookline is in Norfolk County, so a Superior Court case brought by a Brookline resident goes to the Norfolk Superior Court.
A District Court civil case can be filed in the district where any party lives or has a usual place of business, or in an adjoining district (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 2). Where the event happened does not decide it.
| Court | What it hears | District or address |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Court of Brookline | Civil claims up to $50,000 | Brookline only |
| Norfolk Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. South Shore Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Milton are among the hospitals listed for Norfolk County, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- Know the court: the Municipal Court of Brookline hears claims up to $50,000 and the Norfolk Superior Court hears larger ones.
- Call (617) JIM-WINS before you file or appear, so the deadline and the right court are checked against your facts.
Key terms
- Judicial district
- The towns one District Court division serves, as listed in M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1. The Municipal Court of Brookline serves Brookline only.
- Venue
- The county or district where a case may be filed. Massachusetts sets it by where the parties live or work (M.G.L. c. 223, secs. 1 and 2).
Talk to the firm about your dog bite matter
Call us 24/7 for a free case review. Or send us your details and we will reach out to you within one business day.
Results as published by Jim Glaser Law on jimglaserlaw.com. Results vary and depend on the facts of each case. See all results
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Questions Brookline readers ask most
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Which District Court covers Brookline?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, the Municipal Court of Brookline has a judicial district of its own that covers Brookline alone.
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Where does a Superior Court case go from here?
A Superior Court case is filed in the county where one of the parties lives or has a usual place of business (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 1). For someone who lives in Brookline, that is Norfolk County, and the Norfolk Superior Court sits at 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026.
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- What Happens When a Dog Attacks Another Dog in Massachusetts?
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Browse every question in the Massachusetts legal answers library.
Information on this page is published as legal information, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney advertising under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 to 7.5. Responsible attorney: Jim Glaser, Massachusetts.