Dog Bite Attorney in Maine with Over 25,000 Victories

Maine is a strict liability state for dog bites that occur “off-premises.” This means if you are attacked in a public park, on a sidewalk, or while visiting someone else’s property, the owner or keeper is automatically liable for your damages. You do not have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of aggression.

Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, § 752, you generally have six years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. While this is one of the longer windows in the country, waiting can be dangerous. Evidence disappears, and memories fade, so it is critical to consult a dog bite lawyer in Maine as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation.

When a child is the victim of a dog attack, Maine law allows for an extension of the statute of limitations. The six-year “clock” typically does not begin until the child reaches the age of 18. This ensures that a minor has the opportunity to seek justice for scarring or psychological trauma that may require long-term treatment into adulthood.

Maine follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If an insurance company claims you provoked the dog or were trespassing, they may try to reduce your payout. However, as long as your fault is determined to be less than the owner’s, you can still recover damages. We aggressively counter these tactics to ensure your settlement isn’t unfairly diminished.

In the tragic event of a fatal dog attack, Maine’s Wrongful Death Statute (18-C M.R.S. § 2-807) allows surviving family members to pursue compensation. This includes recovery for funeral expenses, medical bills incurred prior to death, and the loss of “comfort, society, and companionship.” These claims must typically be filed within three years of the date of death.

The 365-Day Notice Rule does not apply to most private dog bite claims, but it is a “trap” for victims when the dog is owned by a government entity or a government employee.

If you are bitten by a dog owned by a city, county, or the State of Maine, such as a police K9 or a dog belonging to a municipal animal shelter, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 365 days of the incident. This notice must be sent to the specific governmental entity involved and the Attorney General. Failure to meet this one-year deadline typically results in the permanent dismissal of your case, regardless of the severity of your injuries.

In private cases, this rule may be relevant if the dog owner is a government employee (such as a mail carrier or local official) and you allege that their “official duties” played a role in the incident. Because the distinction between a private and governmental claim can be blurry, a Maine dog bite lawyer at our firm will often file a protective notice to ensure your rights are preserved under both the general statute of limitations and the Tort Claims Act.