You're walking through the park when a dog rushes at you and bites. Maybe you were jogging on the sidewalk or standing at a crosswalk. Either way, you've got serious injuries now, medical bills piling up, and you're wondering if you've got any legal options since this didn't happen on someone's property. You do, and location doesn't matter nearly as much as you might think.
Washington's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Washington has strict liability when it comes to dog bites. The owner is responsible for what their dog does, period. Doesn't matter if the dog has never growled at anyone before. Doesn't matter if the owner swears their dog is friendly. If their dog bites you, they're liable. Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC sees these cases all the time, and the law is pretty clear. The statute covers attacks that happen anywhere you've got a legal right to be. That includes parks, trails, sidewalks, and any other public space.
Where Public Property Attacks Happen
Dog bites on public property aren't rare. They happen in places like:
- City parks and playgrounds
- Sidewalks and crosswalks
- Public trails and greenways
- Beaches and recreational areas
- Streets and parking lots
The specific location won't change whether the owner is liable. What matters is simple. Were you legally allowed to be where you were when the attack happened? If yes, you've got a case.
Proving Your Case After A Public Space Attack
Washington's strict liability law makes things easier for victims, but you need documentation. A Seattle Dog Bite Injury Lawyer can help you pull together the evidence that'll support your claim. Report the incident to animal control right away. Get medical treatment immediately. Take photos of your injuries. Grab contact information from anyone who saw what happened. These steps create a paper trail that'll strengthen your position.
What You Need To Show
You've got to demonstrate three things. First, the dog bit you. Second, you were in a public place where you had every legal right to be. Third, you suffered actual injuries and damages. The owner can't wiggle out by saying their dog's never bitten anyone before. Washington law doesn't require prior incidents.
Damages You Can Recover
When a dog attacks you on public property, you're entitled to compensation for multiple types of harm. Medical expenses usually make up the biggest chunk. Emergency room visits aren't cheap. Neither are surgeries, medications, or ongoing treatment. Lost wages matter too. If you can't work because of your injuries, that's real money out of your pocket. Some attacks leave permanent scarring, and you can pursue damages for how that impacts your life. And don't forget about pain and suffering. The emotional aftermath can stick with you for years.
Common Defenses Owners Try To Use
Some dog owners will try anything to dodge responsibility. They'll claim you provoked their dog or were trespassing. These defenses rarely work when the attack happens in a public space. Provocation's got a high bar. The victim has to have done something intentional to agitate the dog. Walking past an animal doesn't count. A Seattle Dog Bite Injury Lawyer knows exactly how to shut down these weak arguments.
Time Limits For Filing Your Claim
You've got three years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit in Washington. Sounds like forever, but it isn’t. Wait too long, and evidence vanishes. Witnesses move away or forget what they saw. Medical records get archived or destroyed. Getting started sooner gives your attorney more room to build a solid case.
Why Location Doesn't Limit Your Rights
Some people assume that because the attack happened in public, they've got less of a case. That's wrong. Washington's dog bite statute applies the same way, no matter where the incident occurred. Public property cases sometimes involve extra factors that work in your favor. Was there a leash law the owner violated? Did they have any control over their animal? These details can strengthen your claim. If you've been bitten by a dog on public property, you're not stuck with the bills and trauma while the owner walks away. Washington law puts the responsibility on dog owners for their animals' actions, and you deserve fair compensation. Contact our firm today.
