Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog’s have an important role to play in many families, serving as not only man’s best friend but also his closest companion. However, things can get ugly in a heartbeat when a dog yields to its more beastly nature and decides to attack. It is not unheard of for owners of pit bulls to be mauled to death after years of caring for their beloved pets. Dogs are nothing if not unpredictable, and unfortunately, the most dangerous breeds are also some of the most popular. If you’ve experienced a dog bite attack, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries from the dog’s owner. Our Auburn dog bite attorney can help.

Physical and Mental Anguish of Dog Bite Attacks

Dog bite injuries can be quite significant, and the attack itself can be emotionally harrowing. Even a minor dog bite can leave behind scarring, both physical and mental, and can lead to problems in the future for the dog bite victim. These vicious attacks can leave the victim with a range of injuries, from severed nerves to crushed bones and deep lacerations that leave dramatic disfigurements that the victim must deal with for life. Because many dogs attack toward the neck and facial region, the scarring left behind can be substantial. For those who are attacked in the most violent way, years of medical treatments, surgeries and physical therapy may be required in order to regain some semblance of a normal life.

Statistics on Dog Bites

The statistics on dog bite injuries is alarming to say the least.

• Around 4.5 million people are attacked by dogs each year
• One in five victims are attacked so viciously that they require medical care
• Children and the elderly are the most prone to being attacked by dogs
• More than 75 percent of dog bite fatalities stem from pit bull attacks
• The second and third-leading dangerous dogs, German shepherds and Rottweilers, attack fewer people combined than pit bulls by themselves
• Dog bite victims in Washington State were paid nearly $14 million in awards for dog bite claims in 2017 alone
• Dog bites are the second-leading childhood injuries, surpassing even those injuries sustained on the playground

Washington State Dog Bite Laws

The laws concerning dog bites in Washington State are clear. Owners are strictly liable for the injuries their dogs inflict, providing that the dog is not provoked, and the person attacked was not trespassing at the time of the attack. Washington dog owners must keep their pets leashed or under control. Whether or not the dog has shown itself to be dangerous in the past doesn’t matter.

Dog Bite Claims

A dog bite claim generally encompasses all of the losses the victim experienced as a result of the attack and any future losses. This usually includes medical bills, lost wages, future medical bills, future lost wages, and special awards for pain and suffering stemming from the attack.

See our Auburn dog bite attorney as soon as possible following the attack. We can review your case details for free and suggest the best course of action moving forward.