Tukwila Dog Bite Lawyer
Most people love dogs. In fact, dogs are America’s favorite pet, with about 38 percent of households owning dogs for a total of nearly 77 million domestic dogs in the country. While dogs are loyal, entertaining, and make for great companions, these descendants of wolves can also be aggressive and dangerous. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite in Tukwila or the surrounding areas, our Tukwila dog bite lawyer can provide representation and legal support as you navigate your options. Reach out to our lawyers directly today to learn more.
Washington Dog Bite Laws and Liability
In the state of Washington, the owner of a dog that bites can be held strictly liable for damages. The strict liability law applies if the dog bite occurs while the victim is in a public place or lawfully within a private place. Based on this rule, the strict liability law may not apply if the victim was trespassing at the time of the bite. In order to hold a dog owner liable for the bite, the victim does not need to prove that the dog was known to be a dangerous dog or that it has a history of attacking. However, if the dog owner has proof that the victim of the attack was provoking the dog, this could serve as a defense.
In addition to the strict liability law, a dog bite victim may also have a cause of action to bring forth a negligence-based claim against the owner of a dog. In a negligence-based claim, the victim alleges that the owner of the dog knew of the dog’s viciousness or should have known of the viciousness and failed to take reasonable action to prevent the bite.
What to Do After a Tukwila Dog Bite?
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Tukwila, it’s important that you seek medical care as soon as possible. If the bite is serious, you should call the police to report the bite. You should also contact your local animal control agency to report the bite. As soon as you are able, you should contact an experienced dog bite lawyer who can start building your case.
How Our Tukwila Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
Our Tukwila dog bite lawyer will help you by opening an investigation into your dog bite and gathering evidence to support your case, including witness statements. Our attorney will also help you to understand the differences between a strict liability claim and a negligence-based claim, as well as advise you on which is best to pursue in your situation and why. Our attorney will also represent you during settlement negotiations and work hard to obtain the largest possible settlement on your behalf.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite in Tukwila or the surrounding areas, our Tukwila dog bite lawyer can provide you with legal support, advice, and representation as you seek compensation for your harm. To learn more about how our law firm can help, reach out to us by phone or online to schedule a free consultation. We are here to support you.