Dogs—they’re man’s best friend—until they’re not. Dog bite accidents are all too common in Tacoma and the whole of Washington. Dogs can turn into ruthless beasts in the blink of an eye, even without provocations. The injuries that dogs leave behind when they turn aggressive can be quite significant and life-altering.
If you’ve been the target of a dog bite attack, you likely know it’s an experience that is not only frightening and unnerving, but also painful. Even minor dog bites can lead to serious trouble down the road. Dog bites, even those that cause only minor injury, are certainly nothing to scoff about. Severe attacks can be quite vicious, with injuries that include crushed bones and severed nerves. Depending on the scope of the injuries inflicted during a dog bite accident, fatalities are also a possibility. Recovering from a serious dog bite can be very expensive, especially if you have to miss work to nurse your own injuries or your child’s injuries if the child was the targeted victim. Russell & Hill, PLLC have experience fighting for dog bite victims and can help you get the compensation you deserve while holding the responsible party accountable for their negligence.
Around 4.5 million people in the United States are injured in dog bite attacks each and every year, with around one in five victims bitten severely enough to require medical attention for their injuries. Some are more severe than others, but all are scary. In Washington State, dog owners are required to keep their dogs leashed or otherwise under control at all times. Dogs running at large pose a big risk to the public, with children and the elderly being especially vulnerable. Dog bites are the second-leading cause of injury during childhood, with numbers soaring above even playground injuries.
The Insurance Institute of America reports that Washington State dog bite claims amounted to nearly $14 million in 2017. Some of the most common damages received following a dog bite injury include:
In addition, if your injuries resulted in permanent scarring or disfigurement, your award may be enhanced or may include the cost of future corrective surgeries, including plastic surgery procedures.
Because of the complexity of dog bite claims and the tricky nuances that are used to establish liability, it is important to seek out qualified representation for your dog bite claim. An attorney who is fully immersed in Washington dog bite statutes and case precedents is an invaluable tool in your pursuit of justice and accountability for your injuries.
The aftermath of a vicious dog attack can leave you and your family feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Trust the expertise of the Tacoma dog bite attorneys at Russell and Hill to handle the legal aspects of your dog bite claim while you work towards getting better and healing from your injuries. Give us a call now to schedule a free, no-obligation case review.
