If you or a loved one is dealing with the results of a dog attack, a Washington dog bite lawyer from our team is ready to step in. Since 1893, we have helped families across the Puget Sound manage the legal side of unexpected injuries.
We understand that a dog bite is a sudden and scary event that can significantly impact your daily life. Our philosophy is simple: we want you to focus on your physical recovery while we handle the insurance companies and the legal paperwork. As we often tell our clients, we’ll take it from here!
A seasoned personal injury lawyer in Washington helps you by determining liability, gathering evidence of what happened, and calculating how much the injury will cost you in the long run.
Why Choose Jacobs & Jacobs for Your Washington Dog Bite Case
Choosing the right legal team is a big decision during a stressful time. Our firm has been a part of the Washington legal community since B.F. Jacobs opened our doors in 1893.
Today, led by Tom Jacobs with his 40 years of experience, our team of over 50 dedicated members works toward a common goal: providing compassionate advocacy for those hurt by someone else’s negligence.
Negligence is a legal term that refers to a failure to act with the care that a reasonable person would use in the same situation.
- Our deep roots in the Puget Sound area, including our primary offices in Kent and Puyallup, give us a unique understanding of local courts and communities.
- We offer a family-led legacy of service that treats every client like a person, not just a case number.
- We handle everything from the initial investigation to final communications with insurance adjusters, so you can rest.
We believe in maintaining consistent communication and providing thorough client education. You will always know the status of your claim and what the next steps look like.
Because we work on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay us any upfront fees and we only get paid if we recover money for you, you can access high-quality legal support without financial stress.
We are proud to serve our neighbors in Pierce County, King County, and Thurston County with the same dedication we have shown for over a century.
Dog Bite Laws in Washington
When you work with a dog bite attorney in Washington, the first thing we look at is strict liability. In Washington, RCW 16.08.040 establishes that the owner of a dog is liable, or legally responsible, for damages suffered by any person who is bitten. This applies regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.
Strict liability means that we do not have to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you while you were in a public place or legally on private property, the owner is usually responsible for the harm caused.
This is different from many other states that use a one-bite rule, where owners are only responsible if the dog has acted aggressively before.
- Liability: This is the legal responsibility for an act or an injury.
- Damages: This refers to the money a person seeks to recover for their injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
- Strict Liability: A legal rule that makes a person responsible for damages even if they were not being specifically careless at the time.
This law is designed to protect people visiting parks in Puyallup or walking through neighborhoods in Kent. It ensures that the burden of the injury falls on the person who chose to own the animal rather than the person who was hurt. We make sure this statute is applied correctly to your case to build a strong foundation for your claim.
How Do Injuries Affect Your Claim in Washington?
A dog bite can result in many different types of physical harm. When we look at your case, we focus on how these injuries affect the value of your claim and the documentation needed to prove your losses. Documentation is the collection of records, such as medical reports and photos, that show exactly what happened and how it affected you.
Severe injuries often involve more than just the initial bite. For example, deep puncture wounds can lead to serious infections or nerve damage. If the attack was particularly violent, a person might suffer from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) if they were knocked to the ground.
A TBI is a type of injury that happens when a sudden hit or jolt to the head causes the brain to move inside the skull, which can lead to long-term memory or balance issues.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: These injuries are often permanent and can require expensive plastic surgery. We document these through high-quality photos and medical consultations.
- Infections: Dog bites carry a high risk of bacterial infection. Medical records showing treatments for infections are vital for showing the full extent of the harm.
- Psychological Trauma: Many people experience fear or anxiety after an attack. While these are not physical wounds, they are a real part of how the injury affects your life and your claim’s value.
Focusing on these specific details shows the insurance company the true cost of the event. We gather all your medical bills and reports from your doctors to create a complete picture of your recovery process. This careful documentation is essential because it provides the proof needed to ask for a fair settlement.
What to Do Once You Are Home
Once you have received emergency medical care and have returned home, there are several steps you can take to help your Washington State dog bite lawyer build your case.
Taking these steps early can help preserve important information that might be lost later. First, take detailed photos of your injuries as they heal. Medical records are great, but a photo often tells a more compelling story of the physical pain you went through.
- Keep any clothing you wore during the attack in a safe place without washing it, as this can be used as evidence.
- Write down everything you remember about the attack while the memory is fresh.
- Keep a log of your medical appointments and record your daily feelings.
- Save all receipts for out-of-pocket costs, such as bandages, medications, or travel to the doctor.
Starting this process from the comfort of your home allows you to stay organized. When we meet with you, having these items ready helps us move quickly on your behalf. We can even come to you for a mobile appointment if traveling to our Kent or Puyallup offices is difficult while you are recovering.
Our Local Connection to the Puget Sound
We are proud of our deep roots in the local community. For over 130 years, we have seen the Puget Sound region grow and change. Our primary offices in Kent and Puyallup allow us to serve residents across King and Pierce Counties with ease. We also maintain a satellite office in Olympia to support our neighbors in Thurston County.
Whether you were bitten while walking near Kent Station or while enjoying a sunny day at Clark’s Creek Park in Puyallup, we know the area. We understand the local ordinances, which are local city or county laws that might apply to leash requirements and animal control.
Being a local firm means we aren’t just your lawyers; we are your neighbors. Our team of over 50 members is large enough to handle complex cases but small enough to maintain a personal connection with every family we help.
We offer services in both English and Spanish to ensure that everyone in our community has access to clear and compassionate legal guidance. We believe that by focusing on our local ties, we provide a level of service that national firms simply cannot match.
FAQs
What if the dog owner is a friend or family member?
Many dog bites involve animals owned by people we know and care about. It is important to remember that in most cases, we are not seeking money directly from your friend’s bank account. Instead, we are making a claim against their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. This insurance exists specifically to cover accidents like this, providing a way for you to pay your medical bills without causing a financial hardship for your loved one.
Can I still file a claim if there was a Beware of Dog sign?
Yes, you may still have a case even if there was a sign posted. While a sign might be used to argue that you contributed to the incident under the pure comparative fault rule, it does not automatically cancel out the owner’s strict liability under Washington law. We will look at where the sign was placed and whether you were lawfully on the property to determine how it affects your claim.
Who is responsible if a dog bites me while a dog sitter is watching it?
In Washington, the legal owner is generally the person held responsible under the strict liability statute. However, depending on the situation, the person who had control of the dog at the time, often called the “keeper,” might also share some responsibility under a negligence theory. We investigate the relationship between the owner and the sitter to ensure we are looking at all possible sources of recovery.
What happens if the dog is provoked?
Under RCW 16.08.060, provocation can be a defense used by the dog owner. Provocation means doing something that would reasonably cause a dog to bite, such as hitting or teasing the animal. If the owner can prove you provoked the dog, it could prevent you from recovering money. We help gather witness statements and evidence to show exactly what led up to the bite.
Is there a difference if the bite happened in a dog park?
Dog parks have their own set of expectations, but Washington’s strict liability laws still apply. If you were in a public dog park and were bitten, the owner is still responsible for their dog’s actions. Some cities may have specific rules about using dog parks, but these do not override the state laws regarding dog owner responsibility.
What if the dog did not bite me but caused me to fall and get hurt?
If a dog lunges at you or chases you, causing you to fall and suffer an injury like a broken bone or a head injury, you may still have a claim. This would usually fall under a negligence claim rather than the strict liability dog bite statute. We would need to show that the owner failed to control their animal, leading to your injury.
We’ll Take It From Here
If you are ready to move forward with your claim, our team is here to provide the support you need. Dealing with medical bills and insurance phone calls is the last thing you should have to do while you are healing. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your situation and explain how we can help.
Whether you prefer to meet in person at our offices in Kent or Puyallup, over a Zoom call, or have us come to your home, we are flexible and ready to assist.
Contact Jacobs & Jacobs Today
When you work with us, you are gaining a partner with a 130-year history of serving Washington families. We are committed to holding responsible parties accountable and making sure you have everything you need for a full recovery.
Contact us today at (253) 845-0577 to learn more about your rights and how our experience can work to your advantage. Let our family take care of the legal details so you can focus on getting your life back to normal. We’ll take it from here!