Washington Dog Bite Attorney

Typically, the dog owner pays for the injury through homeowners' insurance, renters' insurance, or an umbrella policy. We ensure that the correct policy is identified and activated.

No. Washington has a strict liability law for dog bites. If you were lawfully on the property or in a public place, the owner is responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. You don't have to prove negligence or a history of aggression. The law is on your side from the start.

Yes. If the skin was broken, a report to your local health department is required to assess the risk of rabies and to track the incident. A medical provider can help you file it. Even if the dog appears healthy, it's important to document the incident in case complications develop later. Reporting also helps authorities monitor dangerous animals and prevent future injuries.

We track long-term impacts like scarring, nerve damage, and emotional trauma. If needed, we coordinate plastic surgery consults and counseling referrals. Some injuries don't show their full impact right away, so we make sure your treatment plan and legal claim move at the pace of your healing.

That's very common. We handle these cases with care and focus on recovery, not blame. Insurance is there to cover situations like this.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the bite. However, there are exceptions, so the sooner you contact us, the better.

Most dog bite cases settle outside of court. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you.