Dog bite cases are a type of premises liability claim. In Massachusetts, dog owners are considered strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog. As long as you were not trespassing, hurting someone else, or provoking the dog at the time, you can recover compensation for your injuries. Under Massachusetts law, it does matter if the dog has never acted aggressively before. If a dog hurts you, its owner can be held responsible.
Asking your friend to pay for any losses that you suffered - such as medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress - may seem impossible. Keep in mind that you will be filing a claim against their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not them directly. Your friend pays insurance premiums to be covered in the event that something like this happens, and they won’t want you to suffer financially due to something that their dog did