Dogs are our favorite pets and companions in life, but it’s important to recognize that they are also animals and may act out due to instincts and motives that are incomprehensible to humans. Almost nothing is as terrifying as an attacking dog. When a creature we typically view as man’s best friend becomes a snarling mass of sharp teeth and claws, the result is both physical and emotional injury with lasting impacts on the victim’s well-being.
Washington law holds dog owners liable for their dog’s actions from the moment they take responsibility for the pet. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to a dog attack, the Snohomish dog bite attorneys at Wells Trumbull are ready to put our full effort into maximizing the amount of compensation you recover for the consequences of your injuries. These economic and non-economic consequences are your “damages” in a Snohomish dog bite claim and you should not be left responsible for the undue burden. Speak with an experienced Snohomish personal injury attorney from Wells Trumbull today for legal guidance and support.
Why Choose Us for Your Dog Bite Attorneys in Snohomish?
Attorney Ben Wells has been practicing Washington personal injury law since 1989 with a history of strong client advocacy and notable wins. Attorney Joshua Trumbull has a keen business sense and business history as well as law practice, making him a key asset in negotiating compensation claims. At Wells Trumbull, we provide the following benefits to a dog bite victim’s legal claim for compensation:
- Open and honest communication throughout the process so you’re never left out of the loop in decision-making on your case
- A free case consultation and no fees charged until after we recover your compensation
- Skilled investigators to document evidence of your injuries, the economic and non-economic costs to you, and the dog owner’s liability
- Access to the full resources and collaborative efforts of the entire law firm in Snohomish as well as the individual attention of your dedicated attorney
- A track record of success in recovering millions of dollars for our clients and a powerful local name to put a voice for justice behind your Washington dog bite case
The dog bite lawyers in Snohomish from Wells Trumbull always take the time to get to know each injured client so they’re more fully prepared to make a compelling case to a jury should your case go to trial.
How Do Washington’s Dog Bite Laws Impact Your Claim?
A handful of U.S. states allow dog owners a “one-bite” exemption for liability. In these states, the law presumes an owner doesn’t know their dog has a propensity to bite until after the dog has bitten or shown aggression one time. After that, the owner is negligent if the dog injures someone else. However, Washington’s law holds pet owners accountable from the moment they become responsible for a pet. Under Washington RCW 16.08.040, the law states the following:
“The owner of any dog which shall bite any person while such person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the owner of such dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
In other words, a pet owner in Washington must presume their dog is capable of biting and take all reasonable measures to prevent their pet from causing injury. A pet owner bears liability for damages to anyone their dog bites in public places or on private property unless the person is bitten while committing a crime or bitten by an active-duty police dog.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Snohomish
Dogs sometimes bite or act aggressively due to an owner’s training; for instance, guard dogs or dogs trained to protect an owner’s property may attack. However, even family pets can unexpectedly turn aggressive toward people on or off their property for reasons even their owners don’t always anticipate or understand. Common causes of dog attacks include the following:
- Territorial behavior as a dog perceives a threat to their owner, their food, their bedding, or a favorite toy
- Protecting puppies
- Illness or injury
- Feeling threatened
- Fright or startlement
- Status aggression
- Pack behavior (when multiple dogs run loose in a pack)
Children and the elderly are common victims of dog bites in Snohomish but anyone can become the victim of an aggressive dog. Dog-related injuries covered by owner liability also include non-biting injuries such as injuries resulting from a dog who jumps on or knocks over a victim, or a victim who suffers an injury while running away from a dog that’s pursuing them.
Common Injuries in Dog Bite Claims in Snohomish
Dogs have strong jaws and jagged teeth with edges meant to tear apart meat and bones. When a dog attacks a person, the bite injuries range in severity from level-one injuries that cause mild abrasions but don’t break the skin, to level-five and six injuries with torn flesh, broken bones, lost digits or limbs, and flesh consumed and/or death. Common injuries in Washington dog bite claims include the following:
- Puncture wounds
- Multiple bites
- Facial injuries
- Loss of fingers, toes, or limbs
- Broken bones
- Spinal Cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Soft-tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
If a dog attack results in the death of a loved one, family members can seek justice, accountability, and financial compensation for the loss of a provider’s income, funeral expenses, and more in a Washington wrongful death claim.
What Compensation is Available for Damages in a Washington Dog Bite Claim?
Dog bites are painful and traumatic, often leaving victims with significant wounds, mounting medical bills, and emotional damages. Some dog bite victims suffer scarring and disfigurement requiring corrective surgery. Dog bites are also prone to infection and may result in lengthy treatments for bacterial infection or rabies prevention. Common damages claimed in dog bite cases include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Loss of income
- Future income loss
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement compensation
- Traumatic limb loss
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
Compensation in dog bite claims typically comes from the pet owner’s property liability insurance. This applies in cases of dog attacks in public areas as well as on private property.
Call the Snohomish Dog Bite Lawyers at Wells Trumbull Today
If you or a loved one suffered a terrifying dog attack and sustained injuries with significant economic and non-economic damages, don’t leave your compensation up to insurance companies that commonly protect their profits at the victim’s expense. Instead, contact to Wells Trumbull today so we can pursue the maximum available compensation in your claim.