Dog Bite Attorney Near Me

A dog bite can change the course of a person’s life in numerous ways. Not only does it create an incredible risk of injury and physical trauma, but it also causes emotional scars that could lead to trauma for years to come. Knowing your rights is critical if you are in a situation where a dog bite occurs. Contact our dog bite attorney near me law firm in Olympia, WA who can guide you.

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, our dog bite attorneys in Olympia, WA will work closely with you to determine who should pay for your injuries. Insurance companies may work against you. Our personal injury attorneys in Olympia, WA will advocate for you.

Why Trust Our Dog Attack Attorney Near Me in Olympia, WA

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, we bring extensive experience helping clients navigate complicated personal injury cases, including those related to dog bites. Each case requires careful understanding of your rights and the limitations you face in recovering fair damages. When you choose to work with our dog bite attorney in Thurston County, you can expect:

Decades of experience on your side: Since 1980, our firm has provided exceptional legal insight to victims in Olympia and the greater South Puget Sound, and we have the reviews to prove it.
Millions in recoveries: Over that career, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, providing an opportunity to offer true financial recovery from your devastating situation.
Compassionate and trusted legal guidance: As attorneys, we know the importance of providing each client with exceptional legal support even in the most challenging situations. We are your advocates.

When you need a dog attack lawyer in Olympia, WA, who has recovered damages in cases like your own, set up a free consultation with our attorneys. Let us provide insight and guidance into your rights. Then, let us make sure the at-fault party’s insurance company pays you fairly.

Understanding Washington Dog Bite Laws

When you need a dog bite lawyer near you with a strong understanding of animal attack laws in Washington State, Putnam Lieb Dailey can help you file a successful claim. The key to pursuing a fair claim for compensation in a dog bite or dog attack case in this area is to understand the state’s rather complex laws. There are several components of the law you should consider.

According to RCW 16.08.040, A dog owner maintains responsibility for any damages that their dog causes to another person. It does not matter if the dog has a history of biting others or has never bitten another person before. Even if the dog owner had no previous knowledge of the animal’s ability to be aggressive, the owner is still liable.

Where Dog Bite Laws Apply

In Washington State, this dog bite law applies in most situations. That includes parks and public property, situations where the dog is on commercial property, and private property, such as another person’s home. If you are walking along the sidewalk and a dog lunges and bites you, the owner may be liable for the injuries even if you are on that dog’s property.

Having the Right to Be on the Property

One of the components of a dog bite legal claim is that you must have the right to be on the property. This does not necessarily mean that the owner invited you onto the property. Consider a few scenarios.

The dog attacks you on your own property. In this situation, it is obvious that the dog’s owner failed to control the animal, and you were where you were allowed to be.
The dog attacks you on its property. Perhaps you received the neighbor’s mail, and you walked over to drop it off. The owner is responsible in most situations.
If the owner posts a no trespassing sign or provides a warning that there is a dog, then it becomes more challenging to prove you had the right to be there. In most situations, you cannot prove this.
In cases of government or commercial property, as long as you were where you were allowed to be, and the dog bites or attacks you, the owner could be held liable for your losses.

In situations where there is a clear warning that you should not be on the property or are warned of the risk, you lose the ability to pursue fair compensation. As a dog bite attorney will tell you, we will work to demonstrate that you had the right to be on the property at the time of the incident.

All Dog Injuries Apply

Our dog attack lawyers in Olympia, WA, will help you demonstrate all of the ways in which the dog caused injury to you. For example, dog bites are some of the most common because these animals use their mouths to protect themselves.

However, they also have razor-sharp claws that can cut skin and rip at tissues. They can also cause damage by jumping on you. If you fall to the ground and break a bone or hit your head, the dog’s owner can still be held accountable for the losses you have. In these situations, our dog attack attorneys in Olympia will demonstrate where your injuries occurred and the complications that stem from them.

It is important to note that there are some limitations to this. Dog bites fall under Washington’s strict liability laws. That means the owner does not have to have any idea that the dog would be aggressive. However, other types of injuries not related to bites must be proven through negligence. When you need a dog attack lawyer who can make your case, trust Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey.

You Cannot Have Taunted the Dog

One other component of these rules is that you cannot taunt or encourage the dog to bite or act out. For example, if you are causing physical harm to the dog’s owner and it lunges at you, causing you injuries, you may find it hard to prove your losses. Dogs will protect their owners and property if they feel threatened.

If there is a posted no trespassing area and a warning about a dog that could bite, but you still reach over the fence, that puts you at risk, and a claim may be challenging. It is very common for defense attorneys to use the claim that you initiated the aggressive action with the dog, causing them to bite you. Our dog attack attorneys will work to build a case that shows you did not do this. Be sure to review our FAQs for more answers to your questions.

Common Dog Bite Injuries Our Attorney Near You Can Help With

Our dog bite lawyers in Olympia work with victims facing a wide range of injuries from dog attacks. Even a bite can cause various types of injuries to you, impacting your health and well-being for some time. We fight for all of your rights. The following are some of the cases our dog bite attorneys see in Thurston County:

Puncture wounds: Puncture wounds from bites cause damage to tissues and sometimes nerves. When these bites happen, there is the risk of infection as well as complications requiring surgery. Many people need stitches as well.
Nerve damage: A dog bite on your hand can cause significant nerve damage. That may make it hard for you to write, grip something, drive a car, or use your hand in the same way you do now.
Head injuries: A dog attack or a bite can lead to a person falling to the ground, often striking their head while that occurs. This can lead to concussions, skull fractures, and even traumatic brain injuries in some situations.
Broken bones: A dog’s jaw is strong enough to crush a person’s bones, especially in situations where the victim is a child. Some of these injuries may require reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation.
Emotional trauma: Dog attacks are traumatic. They often create intense emotional responses that can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, and the onset of depression.

Depending on the circumstances, our dog attack lawyers in Olympia, WA will speak to your doctors to better understand the injuries and losses you have. We will then work with you to explore all potential implications of your injuries and losses, including how the trauma impacts virtually every aspect of your life.

I Need a Dog Bite Attorney Near Me After a Fatal Accident

Unfortunately, this is another type of outcome that is possible in many dog bite cases. The victim suffers serious bleeding or disfigurement, causing their death. In these violent attacks, many of which occur in young children, it is essential for victims to seek legal guidance in navigating their rights.

In fatal accidents, our dog attack attorneys in Olympia, WA fight tirelessly to build a strong case for you. This will include recovering financial losses from the accident and medical care, but also additional losses. That may include funeral and burial costs as well as loss of companionship claims.

Do not settle such an incident without an attorney. Our attorneys serve the entire South Puget Sound area, providing undeniable exceptional support for victims.

How Our Dog Attack Lawyers in Olympia Build Your Case

Dog owners may be responsible for the losses their dogs cause to others. However, it is your obligation as the victim to prove that the dog caused the injury unprovoked and to demonstrate all of your losses. Our legal team will build a robust case to protect your rights to fair compensation. Some of the steps we will take to build your personal injury case include the following:

Demonstrate Fault

We gather all evidence in the case that demonstrates fault. This may include:

Medical reports
Witness statements
Police reports
Photos and videos of the incident you took or that are available otherwise
Statements from all parties involved
Accident reconstruction services
Medical experts

Once we have this information, your dog attack attorney will start working to pinpoint the owner’s failure to keep you safe.

Determine All of Your Losses

In a dog attack case, the losses you have may be far more than you expect. This often includes, but is not limited to:

Medical bills related to the attack
Reconstructive surgery and treatment costs
Rehabilitation and recovery
Emotional trauma-related losses
Lost wages if you are unable to work for a period of time
Pain and suffering claims
Emotional trauma from the incident

Negotiate a Fair Claim

Since 1980, our firm has worked tirelessly to build strong cases for our clients, holding insurance companies to their obligation to pay for losses. Expect our talented and aggressive negotiators to go to work building your case. We have a strong reputation throughout Thurston County within the courtrooms as well as with prosecutors. That could work in your favor.

We Go to Trial When Necessary

We never encourage you to settle your claim. When you need a dog bite attorney who is willing to do the extra work of building a robust lawsuit for you, expect our attorney to be the resource you need. Filing a lawsuit is your right under the state’s laws. Most of the time, taking this action spurs the insurance company to negotiate with you.

Trust Our Dog Bite Attorney Near Me Law Firm in Olympia, WA

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, our priority is to provide each client with the access they need to legal representation after someone else’s negligence causes their accident. Set up a free consultation with our dog bite and dog attack lawyers serving Thurston County now to learn more about what we can do for you.

Do not settle your case. Let our decades of experience and millions of dollars in recoveries help you see that we know how to get results. Call our dog bite attorneys in Olympia, WA right now to find out how we can help you with your case. There is no cost for a consultation. If we do not win your case, we charge you nothing.