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A walk should be a chance to enjoy the outdoors, not a moment that changes your life. Yet a dog attack can happen without warning, leaving you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and unanswered questions. If you were bitten by a dog in Riverfront Park, on Centennial Trail, or elsewhere in Spokane, you deserve to understand your legal rights to pursue compensation.
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we represent people whose lives have been disrupted by preventable dog attacks. Our Spokane personal injury lawyers understand the challenges you may face after a serious injury. We are prepared to guide you through the legal process and protect your interests every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss how our dog bite attorneys in Spokane, WA, can help.
What You Should Know About Washington Dog Bite Laws
Under Washington dog bite laws, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public place or lawfully on private property. You do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had bitten someone before.
However, not every dog attack involves a bite. If a dog jumps on you, knocks you to the ground, or otherwise causes injuries without biting, the strict liability statute does not apply. Instead, your claim may depend on whether the dog owner acted negligently under Washington law.
Even though the law favors victims, insurance companies may still dispute liability or the value of your claim. Our Spokane dog bite lawyers can evaluate your case, explain how the law applies to your situation, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Injuries Commonly Seen After a Dog Bite Incident
Dog attacks can leave victims with injuries that require extensive treatment and a lengthy recovery. Injuries from dog bites often include:
- Puncture wounds
- Deep lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Infections
- Permanent scarring
- Emotional trauma
After any serious dog bite, it is important to seek prompt medical evaluation. Many Spokane residents receive emergency care at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center or MultiCare Deaconess Hospital following a serious animal attack. But medical care can be expensive.
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys collect and review your medical records to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the losses you have suffered.
It’s free to speak with us and learn the value of your case today.
Call Us NowWhat Compensation May Be Available After a Spokane Dog Bite
If another person’s dog injured you, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the financial and personal losses the attack caused. Every case is unique, but compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Future medical expenses
The value of a claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries and how the attack has affected your life. Seeing a doctor promptly helps strengthen your claim and demonstrate the compensation you deserve.
What You Should Do After a Dog Bite in Spokane
The steps you take after a dog bite can affect both your health and your legal claim. In addition to seeing a doctor immediately, you should:
- Call 911 and report the dog bite to Spokane Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) and the Spokane Police Department
- Take photographs of your injuries, the scene, and the dog if it is safe to do so
- Collect contact information from the dog owner and any witnesses.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company before speaking with our attorneys
Taking these steps will help you generate the records and reports necessary to tie the attack to your injuries.
Building a Strong Dog Bite Claim
A successful dog bite claim demonstrates how the attack occurred, who is legally responsible, and the full extent of your losses. Our Spokane dog bite attorneys build well-supported claims by investigating and collecting such evidence as:
- Medical records
- Photographs of your injuries and the location where the attack occurred
- Videos of the attack, if available
- Witness statements
- Animal control and police reports
- Insurance information
- Documentation of lost wages and other financial losses
We prepare every case with the goal of presenting clear, persuasive evidence in negotiations with the insurers or at trial.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed through an act of negligence, you need the highest level of legal representation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationHow Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps Spokane Dog Bite Victims
After a dog bite, dealing with an insurance company can quickly become frustrating. Insurance adjusters may ask for recorded statements, request extensive documentation, or make an early settlement offer at far lower than what you deserve. Having our legal representation, though, allows you to focus on moving forward while we handle the legal process.
When you hire Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we begin communicating with the insurance company on your behalf as soon as representation begins. Our attorneys work together throughout your case, allowing you to benefit from a collaborative approach that draws on multiple perspectives. We have represented injury victims for more than a decade and proudly offer bilingual services to better serve members of the Spokane community.
From investigating the circumstances of the attack to negotiating with insurers and preparing your claim, we remain committed to protecting your interests at every stage of the process.
Your Dog Bite Lawsuit in Washington Has a Deadline
Washington’s statute of limitations generally gives injured victims in Spokane three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Spokane County Superior Court. While certain exceptions may affect the filing deadline, they apply only in limited situations.
If this deadline expires, even if you have a strong case, it could jeopardize your right to compensation.
Waiting too long can also make it more difficult to locate witnesses, preserve evidence, and document your damages. Speaking with our attorneys as soon as possible gives you the best opportunity to protect your rights and begin building your claim.
Get a free case evaluation
Schedule NowGet Trusted Legal Help After a Dog Bite in Spokane
After a dog bite, you should not have to manage medical bills and missed work while also dealing with insurance companies trying to minimize your claim. Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is prepared to pursue the compensation you deserve while handling the legal process on your behalf.
Plus, we handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front for our representation. Our Spokane dog bite lawyers only receive our attorney’s fees if we successfully obtain compensation for you.
Contact Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover compensation if the dog never bit anyone before?
Washington’s strict liability law does not require proof that the dog had a history of biting people. Even if the dog had never shown aggressive behavior before, the owner may still be legally responsible.
What if a child was bitten by a dog?
Children are often especially vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries because of their size. If your child was bitten by a dog, our Spokane dog bite attorneys at Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers can explain your family’s legal options and help you pursue compensation on your child’s behalf.
What happens if the dog owner says the attack was my fault?
Every case depends on its specific facts. If the dog owner disputes what happened, our attorneys thoroughly investigate the incident to determine what occurred and protect our clients’ interests.
Do most dog bite claims settle before trial?
Many dog bite claims are resolved through settlement negotiations with the insurance company. However, if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is prepared to pursue your claim through litigation when appropriate.
How much does it cost to hire Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers for a dog bite case?
We represent dog bite victims on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay any upfront attorney’s fees to hire our firm. Our fee is paid only if we recover compensation on your behalf.
