Dog Bite Injury/Attack Lawyers Washington State
Although dogs can be great pets when cared for responsibly, dog-bite injuries can be serious and traumatic. In Washington State, owners are liable for the actions of their dogs. If you are injured by a dog bite, there are steps you can take to pursue compensation.
With the help of our personal injury lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group, you do not have to navigate the complexities of an injury claim alone. If a dog has bitten you in Washington State, you may be entitled to take legal action against the owner. Contact our team in Bellingham today for advice about what may be possible for you.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
A dog injury can happen at any time, and depending on where the injury occurs, it can have severe consequences. While some injuries heal quickly, others may require serious cosmetic or reparative surgery. Common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Facial tissue injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- And more
It is common for small children to be victims of dog bites due to their height and potential proximity to the animals. If a child or other victim has suffered temporary or permanent injury as a result of an incident with a dog, they may be eligible to pursue legal action against the owner.
Who is Liable for Dog Bite Injuries?
In Washington State, dog owners are generally liable for the injuries their dogs cause. This is the case regardless of whether they knew or had reason to know their dogs were dangerous before the incident occurred. Liability statutes in Washington State are strict. This means that any person who was bitten wrongfully in a public or private place may be eligible to pursue a claim against the dog owner. This is true even in cases where the claimant was bitten on the dog owner’s own property. It’s also important to note that in some instances, a dog injury does not necessarily entail a bite. For example, if you’re riding a bicycle and a dog starts chasing you and you subsequently fall of your bike and get injured, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation.
There are exceptional cases where a dog owner may not be held liable for injuries caused by their dog. These include dog bites in cases where the dog was purposefully provoked by the claimant, or the claimant was bitten while trespassing or committing a crime. If a claimant takes legal action against a dog owner, the onus is on the dog owner to prove that the claimant provoked the dog or committed the illegal activity that led to the bite.
If you are a dog owner who is worried about a potential lawsuit, there may be steps you can take to protect yourself. For example, if you own property and you report your dog to your insurance provider, your homeowner’s insurance may cover expenses incurred due to liability claims following a bite.
Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation With Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Dog bite injuries can have serious consequences for all parties involved in the accident. Whether you have been bitten by a dog, or your dog has bitten somebody, navigating the legal implications can be complex. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can better understand what rights and compensations you are entitled to after a dog bite occurs.
Our lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group are licensed to practice in Washington State and can help you pursue an injury claim if you have been injured by a dog in the U.S. Schedule your free initial consultation with our team today to learn more about what may be possible for you.
Disclaimer: For specific legal advice on your cross-border personal injury matter, please consult with a personal injury lawyer. The content in this article is not intended to act as legal advice and is instead intended to act as a general overview of a legal topic.