Seattle Dog Bite Attorneys

In many cases, the answer to this question is yes; however, there are some exceptions. Washington is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, meaning that a dog's owner is liable for your injuries as long as: 

• The bite took place on public property or on private property that you were legally visiting
• You did not provoke the dog
• The dog that bit you was not a police dog operating  its lawful application

These cases stand apart from most personal injury cases because they do not require you to prove that the dog's owner was negligent. Also, a dog also not need to have previously demonstrated aggressive or dangerous behavior. So long as a dog bites and injures you, you can file a claim or lawsuit, barring the aforementioned scenarios.

It is important to note that Washington's dog bite laws also protect pets. If your pet is attacked and sustains an injury from another person's dog, the owner will be liable for any injuries that your pet sustains.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Dog Bite Accident Claim?

These damages may include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes both current and future medical costs that are related to the dog bite injury. Compensation can cover emergency room visits, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any ongoing care required for recovery.
• Lost Wages: If the injuries prevent you from returning to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes both the time you’ve already missed and any future loss of earning capacity if the injury leads to long-term or permanent disability.
• Pain and Suffering: Dog bites can cause substantial physical and emotional pain. Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to account for the non-economic damages that impact a victim’s quality of life. This can include compensation for anxiety, depression, and diminished enjoyment of life.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially on visible areas like the face, could lead to considerable psychological distress. Compensation may be granted for the emotional trauma and embarrassment associated with permanent physical changes.
• Rehabilitation and Therapy: In severe injuries, long-term rehabilitation or therapy may be required to restore function and improve quality of life. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling may all be covered under a dog bite accident claim.
• Property Damage: In some instances, personal property, like clothing, eyeglasses, or electronic devices, may be damaged during a dog attack. Victims may be qualified to recover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property.
• Punitive Damages: In certain situations, if the dog owner’s behavior is particularly reckless or egregious—such as knowingly allowing a dangerous dog to roam without restraint—punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are intended to penalize the dog owner and deter similar manners in the future.

What If I Was Attacked By an Off-Duty Police Dog?

If a police dog bites you outside of its legal application, you can also file a claim or lawsuit. The language of the code governing the legal application of police dogs is very ambiguous, stating that "[a]ny dog handler who uses a police dog in the line of duty in good faith is immune from civil action for damages arising out of such use of the police dog or accelerant detection dog." If you are suing for injuries inflicted by a police dog, you must prove that the dog's handler acted in bad faith, which can be as tricky as it is ambiguous. This could mean that the handler encouraged the dog to attack you when it was not necessary or that the police dog was being used to intimidate you as part of an unlawful investigation; however, this is very difficult to prove on its own, and especially so when suing a government entity.