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 Kornfeld Law.

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.

What Should I Do If I’ve Been Bitten?

If you or your child was bitten by a dog, the first thing you need to do is seek immediate medical attention. The injuries and complications from animal bites can be severe, which is why you need to see a doctor straight away. Secondly, report the attack to the authorities –either the police or animal control. Get photos!

Potential Damages

Dog attacks can cause substantial damage, especially if the dog was of a larger breed or if there were multiple animals involved. Certain types of large dogs are capable of biting with more than 450 pounds of pressure per square inch, so the strength of their jaws can certainly cause major harm to human tissue. While some dog attacks can be fatal, the vast majority are not.

Common issues caused by dog bite injuries include: