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Dog bites can result in serious injuries and painful losses that can affect the victim for years to come. As a result, many states have protections in place that provide victims with a way to file lawsuits and recover compensation following a dog bite.
Liability in dog bite cases can be based on one of two legal theories: the common law theory of negligence, or a strict liability statute. Generally, Washington follows a statutory rule for dog bite liability—owners are always liable for their animals’ actions, except in certain cases.
According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) section 16.08.040, dog owners are strictly liable for any dog bite injuries that their animals inflict. This liability applies regardless of whether the owner knew or should have known that the animal would bite.
The victim must be in a public place or lawfully in or on a private place at the time of the attack, including the owner’s property. Owners could avoid liability if the victim was illegally trespassing at the time of the bite.
If you are bitten by a dog, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the owner in Washington civil court. Through your claim, you could recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses associated with the attack.
Injuries that involve bites from a dog are subject to statutory law in Washington. Owners are always liable for any bites, except in very limited circumstances. If the attack involves an injury other than a bite, however, the common law theory of negligence will apply.
Negligence refers to a party’s breach of a certain duty of care that leads to someone else’s injuries. If a dog’s owner fails to use reasonable care to prevent an injury other than a dog bite, he or she would be responsible for the attack.
For example, say that you are jogging in your neighborhood while your neighbor allows his dog to run in the front yard. The dog is not leashed or contained inside of a fence, and the owner is inside of the house watching television. While you are jogging, the dog runs up to you and knocks you down, breaking your leg.
In this situation, the neighbor failed to exercise reasonable care to restrain the dog by allowing the animal to run outside unsupervised. He will likely be liable due to this act of negligence.
Greg Colburn’s path to personal injury law is rooted in personal experience. After a devastating fall left him in a wheelchair for two years, he took on insurance companies and legal obstacles to win his own case. That journey inspired him to fight for others facing similar challenges. Today, Greg is dedicated to helping injury victims hold negligent parties accountable and secure the justice they deserve.
Years of Experience: 20 years
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The moments after a dog attack can be disorienting and overwhelming. In these situations, it is important to remain calm and seek help for your injuries. Take the following steps after the incident to protect yourself and your future case.
After seeking medical care, contact a Washington dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can evaluate your case and help you seek the justice you deserve.
Dog Bite Attorneys Near Me in Washington State 
Have you experienced a dog bite injury? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and more. A trusted dog bite injury attorney near me can help you protect your rights and guide you through the process.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney and get the support you need to move forward.
Client Reviews
When our son was badly injured from an aggressive dog bite and needed surgery, Greg and his team (thanks Tina!) were there to handle the case and let us concentrate on the healing our son needed. I did not know at the time that Greg was one of the top dog bite lawyers in WA state. He was able to get the insurance company to pay out the full policy and now our son will have what he needs for future medical and mental health related needs. We could not be happier with the outcome.
– Alan S.
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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Greg Colburn.
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