Dog Bite Lawyer
- Our Lawyer Handles Dog Bite Cases for Victims in Washington State
- Understanding Liability in a Washington State Dog Bite Case
- Dog Bite Injuries Are Often Serious and Can Have Major Complications
- Recovering Compensation for Dog Bite Damages
- Let Us Go to Work on Your Dog Bite Case
- Navigating the Legal Process After a Dog Bite Injury
- Discuss Your Legal Options With Our Dog Bite Team for Free
A dog bite lawyer from Herschensohn Law can help you seek compensation for your injuries, medical treatment, and other losses and expenses after a Washington state animal attack. Under Washington law, victims of dog bites have rights. They can pursue a case against the dog’s owner and demand money for their related damages.
At Herschensohn Law, our personal injury lawyer knows how to represent clients bitten by dogs. We provide free case reviews and can discuss your options for compensation. Call (206) 588-4344 to get started. Let our firm fight for the money you deserve.
Attorney Zach Herschensohn fights for justice for his clients. We believe in building strong cases and seeking the maximum payout available in each case. Our case results show how we have recovered millions of dollars over the years for our clients hurt in negligence incidents.
Our team serves clients in Kent, Auburn, Bellevue, and other parts of the greater Seattle metro area. We know how to build strong insurance claims and legal cases, seeking compensation for our clients while protecting their rights to a fair recovery. Our clients count on us to:
- Answer their questions
- Provide regular case updates
- Manage any communication with other parties about the case
- Investigate what happened
- Identify the liable party
- Document their damages
- Calculate a fair settlement range
- Act on their behalf to recover fair compensation
In addition, our lawyer works on contingency. We provide free consultations and never charge you upfront. Instead, our attorney simply receives a percentage of the settlement or award we recover for the client. Our clients never pay attorney’s fees unless we win.
Under Washington law, liability in a dog bite case is clear. The state has strict liability for dog owners. Under RCW 16.08. 040, a dog’s owner is legally responsible for any injuries, expenses, and losses the dog causes. There is no need for the victim to show a prior history of similar behavior or the owner’s knowledge that their dog might bite.
This law has few exceptions, but these defenses often come up in these cases, including:
- The victim provoked the dog to attack
- The victim was trespassing on the owner’s property when the dog bit them
Our team knows how to counter these allegations and recover compensation for clients hurt in a Washington state dog bite incident. We hold the owners legally responsible and demand fair compensation for our clients under the state’s dog bite law.
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
Any dog bite that punctures the skin has a high risk of infection. This is true even when the wound initially looks relatively minor. Victims should see a doctor for cleaning and learn how to care for the wound during healing. This also documents the injury for an insurance claim or lawsuit later.
In some cases, dog bites can be severe. The dog can cause significant soft tissue damage, including:
- Puncture wounds
- Tearing skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Nerve damage
- Severe scarring that requires ongoing plastic surgery
Broken bones and traumatic amputation are also common in serious dog attack incidents, especially among children and the elderly (although these can happen to any victim).
When our team represents clients hurt in a dog bite incident, we pursue fair compensation based on their expenses and losses. We do not believe any victim should have to pay for their medical care or cover other costs associated with a dog bite injury when the law holds the owner strictly liable for these damages.
We aim to develop a strong enough case to compensate our clients fairly through an insurance claim or lawsuit. In many cases, we demand the money necessary from the liable party’s homeowner’s insurance carrier and reach a fair settlement with them. Alternatively, we can ask a judge and jury to settle the case.
Getting justice for our client means getting the money they need to pay for all the losses they have experienced. We can document their recoverable damages, calculate a fair settlement value, and seek money for damages that include:
- Medical treatment and related expenses to date
- Future care and management costs, such as plastic surgery
- Income losses from time missed at work
- Diminished earning capacity for lasting injuries
- Property damages
- Miscellaneous expenses and losses
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages if the victim passes away
Our attorney knows how to accurately value these cases. We gather documentation and calculate a fair settlement range for each case. Sometimes, we also need to work with experts to better understand the client’s prognosis and necessary future treatment. When we need help establishing a possible settlement value in a personal injury case, we have a network of medical experts and others we can call.
While state law makes it easier to hold a dog’s owner legally responsible for injuries the canine causes, there are challenges in these cases. To win compensation for our clients, we must build a strong case to show what happened and document the injuries and damages they suffered.
Our team knows how to investigate these cases. We understand the evidence usually available. We can identify and analyze the evidence in your case and develop robust support for an insurance claim or lawsuit. Some evidence common in dog bite cases includes:
- Relevant medical records
- Video of the attack
- Photos of the injuries
- Reports related to the animal control investigation of the bite
- Records from any previous incidents involving the same animal
- Veterinarian records
- An incident site survey
- Eyewitness interviews
- Expert witnesses
- Documentation of damages
We can use this evidence to develop a timeline showing what occurred. This allows us to document liability and counter any allegations that our client provoked the dog or trespassed. Ultimately, we must show that:
- The accused party owned the dog
- The dog caused the injuries
Once we build a strong case against the dog’s owner, we can fight for your rights and seek justice. This includes holding the owner legally accountable and recovering fair compensation for the injuries they caused. In addition, taking legal action based on the attack helps prevent similar issues with the same individual in the future, motivating them to learn to keep their dogs on a leash or under control.
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
If you have suffered injuries in a dog bite incident, our team can help. We handle cases like yours regularly and understand the laws, processes, and common issues. When we represent you as a dog bite victim, we can take care of your case while you focus on healing and recovery. You do not need to know the ins and outs of the legal process with our attorney on your side.
There are two ways to recover compensation after a Washington state dog bite, including:
- Filing an insurance claim against the dog’s owner
- Suing the dog’s owner
When our team represents a dog bite victim, we handle all aspects of the legal case, including explaining the options and weighing the pros and cons of each. Sometimes we begin with an insurance claim and later sue (this could be necessary based on the circumstances of the case).
Most successful cases end with a negotiated agreement. However, some require us to sue the dog’s owner. This often occurs when the deadline approaches and time is running out. Per RCW 4.16.080, we generally only have three years after a bite to sue before our client loses the right to. We protect their rights by ensuring we meet this and other applicable deadlines when possible.
Even when we sue, the case could end with a negotiated settlement. Most cases do not go to trial. However, our attorney isn’t afraid to represent clients in the courtroom when necessary. We can present the evidence to the judge and jury and ask for a fair verdict and award.
Herschensohn Law provides free consultations for victims of dog attacks and their families in Kent, Auburn, Bellevue, and Seattle, Washington. We can explain your legal options and help you decide what to do next based on the facts of your case. Our team can fight for compensation and justice in your case.
Contact us now online or by calling (206) 588-4344. We can assess your case in a free, no-obligation consultation and can get started right away.
Our results speak for themselves
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.