A dog attack can cause significant anxiety and emotional distress. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the recovery process alone. Hiring an experienced attorney to represent you in a dog bite injury claim can give you the support and resources you need to put your life back on track after a traumatic attack. Turn to the Olympia dog bite injury lawyers at Freeman Law Firm, Inc., to help you recover from an attack because:
Washington’s dog bite statute imposes strict liability on dog owners when they bite and injure people, whether the attack occurs on public or private property. Strict liability means that a dog owner does not have to commit any act of negligence to be responsible for a dog bite victim’s injuries and losses. Furthermore, unlike other states that use a “one bite” rule for dog bite claims, Washington law imposes liability on a dog owner regardless of their dog’s prior vicious or aggressive tendencies or the owner’s knowledge thereof.
However, a dog owner has a few available defenses to a dog bite injury claim. For example, an owner will not be liable to someone who experiences a dog attack while trespassing on the owner’s property. An owner may also not be liable for dog bite injuries when the injured person provoked the dog into attacking, such as by teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. If a dog bite victim provoked the attack, Washington’s comparative negligence rules may reduce their financial recovery in proportion to their share of fault for the attack.
Olympia, WA’s local ordinances require dog owners to keep their pets on a leash or otherwise protect people from injury when taking their dogs onto public property. However, the city’s leash rules do not apply to guide dogs or service animals for disabled individuals.
Olympia, WA has several city ordinances that are relevant to dog bite cases. Some key points are as follows:
Pet owners are responsible for any injury caused by their animals, including dog bites, and can face misdemeanor charges if their pet injures a person or another animal (6.04.050(D)).
Dogs can be classified as "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous" if they have a history of unprovoked bites, aggressive behavior, or causing severe injury (6.04.110). Owners of such dogs are required to follow strict confinement and control measures to prevent future incidents.
If a dog bites a human, the owner must comply with quarantine orders issued by the Thurston County Health Department. Failure to do so is considered a misdemeanor (6.04.050(H)).
Owners can be cited if their dog exhibits menacing behavior such as growling, lunging, or attempting to bite, even if no actual bite occurs. This is considered a civil infraction (6.04.050(I)).
Dogs must be on a leash or under proper control in public spaces. Allowing a dog to be "at large" or not properly restrained can result in civil infractions (6.04.050(A), 6.04.050(C)).
Violations related to dog bites or failure to control a dog can result in penalties ranging from civil infractions to misdemeanors, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense (6.04.120, 6.04.130).
These key ordinances highlight the legal responsibilities of dog owners in Olympia and the consequences of not adhering to local regulations, which when combined with state law, are useful in the context of building a strong dog bite case.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year, which results in over 300,000 visits to the emergency room for injury treatment. Children under 12 make up about half of all dog bite victims, while adults over 70 account for about 10 percent of dog attacks and 20 percent of dog attack fatalities.
Dog bite injuries result in approximately $102.4 million annually in medical expenses nationwide. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that payment on liability claims for dog bites and attacks exceeds $1 billion per year.
A dog bite can inflict various forms of physical trauma and cause potentially life-threatening health complications. Even small dogs can cause serious harm through bites. Common examples of physical injuries a dog bite can cause include:
When a dog presses its attack beyond an initial bite, it can inflict severe injuries, and in some tragic cases, these attacks can be fatal. Young children face a particularly high risk of fatal neck or head injuries, as dogs can more easily reach these vulnerable areas. Older adults, especially those with mobility issues, are also at increased risk, as they can be easily knocked to the ground.
Dog attacks not only cause immediate physical injuries but can also result in other severe injuries if the victim falls, such as broken arms, legs, or hips, herniated spinal discs, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
Additionally, dog bites can lead to serious health complications. Dogs’ saliva can carry viruses and bacteria, such as rabies, capnocytophaga, and, less commonly, staphylococcus, which can cause infections in humans. When a dog bite breaks the skin, the wound may become infected, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions like rabies, gangrene, or sepsis.
Beyond the physical consequences, dog attacks can cause significant psychological and emotional injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias related to dogs or animals in general.
At Freeman Law Firm, Inc., we recognize the life-altering effects that a dog bite or attack can have on an injured victim’s life. That’s why our dog bite attorneys focus their efforts and advocacy on getting you the financial resources and support you need to recover from the physical and emotional trauma and effects of a dog attack. We fight so you can move forward with confidence and security after a devastating injury.
In a dog bite claim, you may have the opportunity to seek compensation for financial and personal losses that result from the attack. Let the personal injury attorneys from Freeman Law Firm, Inc., help you hold the dog owner accountable for your:
Washington law holds dog owners responsible for losses resulting from injuries their pets inflict on others. Even so, dog bite victims may feel reluctant to pursue a liability claim after getting attacked by a dog they know, such as a dog belonging to a family member, friend, or neighbor. The injured victim may worry about jeopardizing their relationship by filing a legal claim against them.
However, compensation in most dog bite claims comes from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance company. Most policies provide coverage for liability for injuries caused by the owner’s property, including the owner’s dog. When you’ve suffered injuries in an attack by a familiar dog, you can rest assured that your compensation will likely come from an insurance company, rather than out of your loved one’s pocket.
Additionally, depending on the circumstances of a dog attack, you might also have claims against other parties. Consider a case in which someone who is temporarily taking care of a dog (such as a dog walker or pet sitter) lets the animal off their leash in a public place, and it attacks you. In that situation, you might have a negligence claim against that individual or, if they were responsible for the dog in a professional capacity, their employer.
A knowledgeable Olympia dog bite injury attorney will investigate the attack that injured you to identify all potentially liable parties so they can hold them to account
Following a dog bite or attack, you should take some specific steps to protect your health and legal rights and strengthen your injury claim:
Finally, contact an Olympia dog bite attorney from Freeman Law Firm, Inc., as soon as possible after a dog bite or attack. We will review the facts of your case and advise you on your legal options for pursuing the full, fair compensation you deserve.
Under Washington state’s statute of limitations for injury claims, you typically have three years to file a lawsuit against a dog owner after their pet attacks and injures you. However, certain circumstances can extend the deadline for a dog bite injury victim’s claim. For example, when a minor child gets hurt in a dog attack, Washington law gives them until three years after their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit against the dog owner.
Although three years may sound like plenty of time to initiate legal action, you can best protect your rights and options for financial recovery by speaking with an Olympia dog bite injury attorney from Freeman Law Firm, Inc., as soon as possible after an attack. We will promptly get to work on your case by recovering all the facts and evidence to build a compelling argument for your right to compensation. We’ll always make sure your claims get filed before the applicable statute of limitations expires.
After suffering injuries in a dog bite or attack, let an experienced Olympia dog bite injury attorney from Freeman Law Firm, Inc., help you pursue your options for securing compensation by:
A dog attack is a frightening and traumatic experience and one that demands accountability from the responsible party. If you’re faced with a long road to physical recovery, mounting medical bills, and a loss of income as the result of a dog bite injury, you deserve the unwavering and compassionate support of an experienced attorney who will fight for the compensation you deserve. The dedicated team at Freeman Law Firm, Inc., is ready to help you move forward by pursuing the fullest possible measure of justice. Contact us today at (360) 338-6886} or fill out our contact form today to discuss your situation in a free and no-obligation initial consultation and take a critical step toward healing.
