Dog Bite Lawyer
Handling Injury Cases in Kirkland, Everett, Seattle, Bellevue, & the Greater Washington Area
Animals can be unpredictable, and even the most docile dog can act out if it feels threatened, frightened, or startled. If you or your child was attacked or bitten by a dog, you have every right to seek compensation for the resulting damage. Dog bite injuries can cause substantial tissue and damage, and in more severe cases a vicious attack could result in loss of limb, brain damage, or physical disfigurement. Even minor bites can easily become infected, especially if the dog was not vaccinated.
In order to protect yourself after an animal attack, you need to take immediate action and speak with our experienced attorney at Lindquist & Kornfeld.
Paying for medical treatment after an animal attack can be expensive, especially if you require surgery, medication, or other types of ongoing care. Even if you think the dog owner wouldn’t be able to pay for your bills, remember that it isn’t usually the owner who pays for these expenses, but their insurance company. On top of everything else you’re dealing with, you do not need the added stress of pricey medical bills. To obtain the compensation you need and deserve, contact a lawyer to discover your legal options.
Call (425) 657-5255 to speak with our experienced lawyer about your dog attack.
Children & Dog Bites: The Facts
Every day, over 1,000 people across the US. seek emergency medical care to treat dog bites. Nearly one million dog attacks are reported to veterinarians and animal control offices each year, and up to one million more slip by unreported.
Unsurprisingly, young children are the most common victims of dog bite attacks. Out of all reported dog bite incidents, 60% of those affect children. Of these, over 70% of the attacks injure a child’s face, often inflicting devastating and permanent damage. Children are also the most likely to be maimed or killed in dog attacks.
What are Washington State’s Laws on Dog Bites?
In the State of Washington, the law holds dog owners strictly liable for any injuries their dogs cause. In some states, the owner must know that a dog is aggressive to be liable for their animal’s subsequent attack, but Washington holds no such expectation. If you own a dog, you are fully responsible for their actions, even if your animal has no prior history of aggressive behavior.
Our Proven Results
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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$345,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client was walking on a side walk when they were hit by a car. They had shoulder surgery and a total knee replacement This is a good example as to why we need to have sufficient car insurance.
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$2,500,000 Medical Malpractice
Jane and John Doe v. Hospital XYZ (King County, Washington): A 53-year-old father underwent surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. During his first night, the patient was not assessed or monitored for over five hours. As a result, he developed a mucus plug, could not breathe, and suffered respiratory arrest and heart failure. The patient was revived but suffered catastrophic brain damage. He now requires care 24-7 from his wife.
Medical Malpractice -
Medical Malpractice
Jon Doe v. John Doe Entity: A young adolescent was injured in a playful accident and presented to the emergency department at a hospital. X-rays were read as negative by PA. The child was sent home and allowed to walk on foot causing post-traumatic arthritis and eventually 4 joint fusion in the foot.
Medical Malpractice -
$235,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
A client who had pre-existing anxiety was in two car crashes in 2015 and 2018 and suffered a concussion and spinal injuries in the first with increase in his PTSD and anxiety. He was improving and then was in a second MVA and suffered an aggravation and worsening of the PTSD and anxiety from the first MVA and has not returned to baseline. We were successful in recovering $235,000 for him from both drivers’ insurance and his own underinsured motorist insurance.
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$2,300,000 Brain Injury
Dalgado v. Cosmos Shipping Lines: (Federal Court of Canada Court No. T-1601-98) (Vancouver, Canada) An unsecured gangway nearly drowned a merchant marine. The client suffered a traumatic brain injury and won a claim for lost wages, medical bills, and compensation for his head injuries.
Brain Injury -
$650,000 Construction Accident
Construction laborer recovers $650,000 after fall from a scissor lift. Rob Kornfeld successfully litigated and mediated a settlement for an injured worker in Spokane County, Washington.
Construction Accident -
$425,000 Gender Discrimination
Jane Doe v. School District: (King County Superior Court) Two women bus drivers settle case with East King County School District for $425,000. Two women school bus drivers contended they were discriminated because of their gender and that they were bullied and harassed in violation of school district policies.
Employment Law -
$26,500 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries as well as headaches.
Car Accident -
$275,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client received a $275,000 third-party settlement after he was rear-ended and recruited our firm. The accident took a toll on our client’s spine and abdomen. He suffered a cervical strain, right trapezius strain, chest wall contusion, and abdominal wall contusion. Our client also sprained his left foot and ankle, sustained A.C. arthrosis and degenerative labral tears, and suffered mild chronic rotator cuff tendinosis.
Car Accident
Which Breed Is Most Likely to Bite?
Unfortunately, certain dog breeds are more prone to defensive or aggressive behavior than others. Some dogs, for example, are bred to heard other animals, so they instinctually bite at the heels or give chase when someone or something runs away. While these characteristics can be beneficial when herding animals, it can be downright dangerous around people. If the owner is not careful to properly train their dogs or to keep their potentially dangerous animals under lock and key, passersby or unsuspecting visitors could be attacked without warning.
Because animals perceive things differently than we do, it is especially important to keep potentially harmful dogs away from young children. Children, the most common dog bite victims, might think they are playing with a dog, when in reality their actions can seem threatening to the animal, causing it to strike out in fear or defense. Training is the key to making dogs safe and some owners train their dogs as attack dogs or guard dogs, which puts us all at risk.
The top 10 most notoriously dangerous dog breeds include:
- Doberman
- Chow
- German Shepherd Mix
- Akita
- German Shepherd
- Bull Mastiff
- Wolf Hybrid
- Husky
- Rottweiler
- Pit Bull
What Makes Our Firm Unique
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40+ Years of
Proven Legal ExperienceWith decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases. -
Aggressive & Personalized
RepresentationWe tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to. -
Committed to Securing
Justice for Each ClientWe treat every case with the urgency and dedication it deserves, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. -
No Fees Unless
We Win Your CaseOur clients can focus on healing while we fight for results—because we only get paid when you do.
Contact Neil Lindquist Today for a Free Consultation
Dog bite injuries can be devastating and may cause lifelong damage, permanent scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Neil Lindquist is a reliable attorney with extensive practice pursuing dog bite claims on behalf of innocent victims, and he has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you, too.
Contact Lindquist & Kornfeld to speak with our legal team. We accept cases in Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett, and the Greater Washington State Area. Plus, we take out-of-state cases. Call (425) 657-5255 today for a free consultation, or email Neil at Neil@Kornfeldlaw.com for a quick answer to your legal questions. We can come to you if you are unable to meet Neil in one of our Western Washington offices, e.g., if you are in the hospital, immobile in your home, or unable to get in to see us. Let’s try to schedule a mutually agreeable time and place to meet, or just give us a call to talk at no charge.
