Suffering dog bite injuries in Lake Stevens or elsewhere in Washington is a terrifying experience, exposing an injury victim to infection, scarring, and emotional trauma. Fortunately, Washington’s strict liability laws for pet owners offer robust protection for a dog bite victim’s compensation.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a dog attack in Lake Stevens, reach out to a Lake Stevens injury attorney from Wells Trumbull who is ready to demand financial accountability in your case. Contact us today.
Why Hiring Wells Trumbull as Your Dog Bite Law Firm Is the Best Choice
For decades, Wells Trumbull has been a client-oriented law firm dedicated to advocating for full and fair compensation for injury victims, including in dog bite cases. We offer significant benefits to our clients, including the following:
- The knowledge, experience, and resources of an entire law firm working on your case
- An individualized strategy to achieve the results that best align with your goals
- Assertive legal advocacy that seeks the highest possible settlement amount while also preparing for court should litigation become necessary
Our history of exceptional results puts a well-respected voice behind your claim. With a free consultation and contingency based payment only after you have your compensation in hand, you have nothing to lose by hiring Wells Trumbull.
Understanding Strict Liability In Washington Dog Bite Cases
A handful of U.S. states have what’s commonly called a “one-bite rule.” In these states, evidence of pet owner negligence is required for liability in cases of a dog that has never bitten before. The law is based on the understanding that the pet owner couldn’t know the dog is inclined to bite if it’s never bitten previously. When a dog has bitten or shown aggression at least once before, the owner is strictly liable for additional attacks.
Washington does not have a one-bite rule, but instead has strict liability laws that hold pet owners financially accountable from the moment they take ownership of a dog.
Measuring the Severity of Dog Bite Injuries
Doctors, dog trainers, and injury attorneys measure dog bite injury severity on the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale, developed by animal behaviorist and veterinarian Dr. Ian Dunbar. Under this scale, dog bite severity is measured in the following way:
- Level-1 dog bites are warning bites, during which a dog behaves aggressively and may grasp a person with their teeth, but does not break the skin
- Level-2 dog bites include light nicks or abrasions from direct contact with a dog’s teeth, but the marks do not puncture the skin
- Level-3 dog bites are those in which there is a single bite with one to four tooth punctures at a depth of half the dog’s tooth length
- Level-4 dog bites occur when a person suffers one bite with up to four punctures, and at least one puncture extends the full length of the dog’s tooth, sometimes with bruising and lacerations from the dog shaking its head back and forth while biting
- Level-5 dog bites are multiple bites with two or more level-4 bites
- Level-6 bites are those in which the dog has torn away and consumed flesh and/or the victim has died from the attack
Even level-1 and level-2 bites are frightening and cause additional injury if the victim of the attack is knocked to the ground. Level-3 bites are far more serious, exposing the injury victim to a risk of infection and scarring. When level-3 to level-5 bites occur on the face, scalp, or throat, it’s a serious emergency, with the potential for infection, disfigurement, and life-threatening injury.
Reach Out to the Lake Stevens Dog Bite Lawyers at Wells Trumbull
Instead of adding a challenging legal process to the physical and emotional distress of recovering from a dog attack in Lake Stevens, contact Wells Trumbull, the dog bite attorneys in Lake Stevens who prioritize your best interests throughout the process of demanding financial accountability for your injuries, including medical expenses, future medical costs, lost earnings, and compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.