Dog Bite Attorneys

Dog bite attorneys and lawyers of Parke Gordon Law Firm assist victims of dog bites in Spokane, Washington, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and other surrounding areas. Our dog bite lawyers in Spokane will fight for you to obtain the highest possible settlement to fairly compensate you for injuries due to a dog bite. Dog owners are responsible to keep their dogs under control and to prevent their dogs from biting people. The attorneys at Parke Gordon Law Firm will fight for every penny owed to a dog bite victim. Our law firm believes every client deserves fair representation. Call our Spokane law office now for a free consultation at (509) 482-7274.

Injuries Incurred from Dog Bites in Spokane, Washington

Dog bites pierce the skin and can leave permanent scars and disfigurement. Many bites happen on visible places like the face or hands or arms and can cause embarrassment and humiliation to the dog bite victim. Dogs often attack children and those children suffer mental and emotional trauma following the attack. Our Spokane dog bite injury attorneys will ensure that dog owners are held accountable for the injuries and damages caused by their negligence in failing to prevent their dogs from biting innocent victims.

Suing for Dog Bite Injuries

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may be wondering about suing for dog bite injuries. To sue over a dog bite or another injury caused by someone’s dog, you need to understand the statue of limitations for your state as well as how the law pertains to your particular situation.

Dog Bite Statute in Washington

The state of Washington’s dog bite statute, Revised Code of Washington section 16.08.040, states a dog owner is liable for dog bite injuries their dog inflicted if:

• the dog bite occurred in a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the dog owner.
• the dog owner knew of the dog’s viciousness.
• the injured person did not provoke the dog.

A dog bite injury attorney from Parke Gordon Law Firm will be happy to assist you in your dog bite claim. Our experienced dog bite lawyers can help you understand the statue of limitations in Washington. Simply put, a statute of limitations is a law that governs the amount of time you have to make a claim and bring a case to court after you have suffered a dog bite injury. Deadlines for such claims vary by state but range from one to six years after the injury occurred. Typically, the time limit is two to three years. Check with our dog bite personal injury attorneys to know for sure about your particular case. It is important to never wait too long to hire a Spokane dog bite lawyer after a dog bite due to these time restrictions.

Dog Bite Laws in Washington State

Dog Bite Laws in Spokane County
Dangerous Dogs
Liability for Injury to Stock by Dogs
Marauding Dog – Duty of Owner to Kill
Strict Liability for Dog Bites
When is a Dog Owner Liable for a Bite?
Dog Bite Law If a Dog Was Provoked by the Victim

Dog Bite Laws in Nearby Cities

Dog Bite Laws in Coeur d’Alene

5 Typical Signs Before a Dog Bites

1. The dog is making direct eye contact with you.
2. Showing teeth.
3. Ears perked.
4. Low rumbling growl.
5. The dog’s tail is up or even wagging stiffly. Many people believe a wagging tail means a dog is happy. Wagging really only indicates high energy.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite

In the unfortunate situation, a dog attempts to bite you, protect yourself with anything possible. When the dog goes to bite, shove something in his/her mouth before they get to your arm, leg or face. If the dog does bite you avoid pulling away and try not to panic. By yanking yourself away, the dog will only bite down harder and cause tearing. Try shoving something else in the dog’s mouth so they will release. This will act as a gag for the dog and they will let go.

A dog’s mouth can be dirty. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, be seen by a medical professional to avoid infections. Even a minor bite could lead to many other medical issues.

Follow these steps after being bitten by a dog:

1. Seek medical attention immediately. If you are losing a lot of blood, call 911 immediately.
2. When possible, find out the kind of dog that bit you as well as who the owner is. Knowing the dog owner can help determine if you will need rabies shots.
3. See a doctor or visit the emergency room if necessary. Not every dog bite needs immediate attention. However, it is never a bad idea just to be safe. Approximately 15 percent of dog bite wounds become infected.
4. Gather the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the dog bite. Their testimonial could help with your case later.
5. Follow your doctor’s instructions to heal properly.
6. Do not talk to the insurance company of the dog owner or discuss who was responsible for the dog bite with the dog owner.

Am I Liable if My Dog Bites a Trespasser?

For many dog owners, their dog is part of the family and also provides security to the home and family members. But what if your dog bites a trespasser? Are you still liable? Depending on the dog bite laws in your state, you could be liable for all injuries, medical bills and other losses stemming from a dog bite even if the person was trespassing on your property. As a dog owner, it is important to know and understand the dog bite laws in your state and how you can protect yourself in case your dog bites someone.

“Strict Liability” for Dog Bites in Washington

Washington law has what is called “strict liability” for dog bites. This means that the owner of any dog that bites someone in public or lawfully on private property is generally liable for the injuries caused by the dog bite. A dog owner may be liable the first time his or her dog bites, even if the owner did not know and had no reason to know the dog might bite someone. This contrasts some states that have a “one-bite” rule, which requires a dog owner to know or have reason to know that the dog is dangerous before he or she can be held liable for damages. Serious injuries and illnesses can develop from dog bites. Washington’s strict liability for dog bites helps ensure victims of dog bites are compensated for their injuries by holding the owner liable for the injuries.

Spokane Law Firm Client Reviews

The attorneys at Parke Gordon Law Firm in Spokane have a goal to exceed the expectations of every client by getting them more money, faster. Our lawyers and staff strive to provide top-notch professional and legal services. In fact, we believe every client deserves a fair settlement, not just big insurance companies with deep pockets. Read what our personal injury clients have to say about us on our Client Reviews page.

Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Spokane, WA Today

Call a Spokane attorney for a dog attack if you’ve been injured. Parke Gordon Law Firm offers a free consultation. Take this opportunity to speak to an experienced dog bite attorney from our law firm about your dog bite case over the phone or in person. We can usually tell you over the phone if you have a good case. Our attorneys will fight for you or your child to get fair compensation from a negligent dog owner. You pay nothing until your case settles. Call (509) 482-7274 now for a free consultation to discuss your dog bite case.