Dog Bite Injuries
There are approximately 68 million dogs kept as pets in the United States today. As a result of the increase in dog ownership and people’s increased interaction with dogs, dog bites have become much more common. The CDC(Center for Disease Control) estimates that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Of those people bitten by a dog, 1 in 5 must seek medical attention. In 2006 over 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery for injuries that resulted from dog bites. Dog bites can inflict serious injuries including cuts and lacerations, abrasions, crushing wounds, punctures and fractured bones. These injuries often result in disfiguring scars. More often then not dog attacks are preventable through proper care, supervision, and or training. Careless owners who neglect to properly secure their pets put everyone in danger, leaving friends, neighbors, and other individuals victim to preventable attacks.
If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of a dog attack, it is your right to seek compensation and protect your health and your livelihood. Frequently, animal owners will deny liability for your injuries, preventing you from recovering the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured as a result of a dog attack, contacting an attorney is essential to ensuring that you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses. At the law office of Dann D. Sheffield & Associates our dog bite attorneys understand the difficulties and legal issues you face after being injured by a dog or other domestic animal and can help you along the road to recovery.
Frequently, Injured Victims of Dog Bite Injuries Require Legal Assistance With:
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Unpaid Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages or Earning Capacity
- Pain and Suffering
- Disputing Liability
- Phone Call Not Being Returned by Insurance Companies
- Medical Referrals for Accident Treatment
- Other Expenses
Washington Dog Bite Laws
Under Washington State law there are 2 levels of liability in which a dog owner may be held responsible for the injuries his/her dog causes. The first, is under a theory of negligence: if a dog owner does not know that the dog is vicious or has a dangerous propensities, that person is liable only if he/she is negligent in failing to prevent the dog from harming another. Arnold v. Laird, 94 Wn.2d 867, 871, 621 P.2d 138 (1980); Restatement (Second) of Torts §§ 509, 518 (1977). The second is strict liability: If a dog owner knows his/her dog is vicious or has a propensities to be dangerous, the owner may be held strictly liable for any injuries that dog causes, Arnold, at 871; Johnston v. Ohls, 76 Wn.2d 398, 400, 457 P.2d 194 (1969); Markwood v. McBroom, 110 Wash. 208, 211, 188 P. 521 (1920).This means that if the dog is known to be dangerous then the dog owner will be liable for any injuries the dog causes even if he/she was not negligent in handling the dog.
Dog Bite Injuries are often preventable and the result of someone else’s negligence(carelessness). Dann D. Sheffield & Associates is one of Washington States most experienced dog bite injury law firms. Whether your injury was caused by an improperly restrained dog or a dog that was known to be dangerous; if you are a victim of someone else’s negligence we can ensure that you recover the compensation you are entitled to receive. The attorneys at Dann D. Sheffield & Associates have over 35 years of experience representing dog bite victims. Our attorneys can help hold careless and irresponsible dog owners accountable for their negligence.
You May Be Entitled To Recover For:
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Paralysis
- Scarring
- Broken Bones
- Psychological Damages
- Medical Expenses
- Wage Loss
- Punitive Damages
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