Call Us atDogs make great companions. Like most places in this country, many homes in Bothell have domestic animals. Pets can make you smile and forget about your troubles. It is hard to be upset when your dog greets you with a fast-wagging tail at the door at the end of a long, hard day. But not all dog encounters are friendly. Sometimes dogs attack people and cause them deep physical and emotional wounds.
If a dog bit you or your loved one, you might be eligible for financial compensation through a personal injury claim. A dedicated Bothell dog bite lawyer could help you determine whether it is in your family’s best interest to pursue a lawsuit.
Types of Dog Attack Injuries
Although dogs are usually friendly to humans, they are still animals. Occasionally, something can trigger them to attack. Sometimes they attack to defend against perceived threats to their territory or protect their family. Other times, they attack with seemingly no provocation.
Serious injuries can occur from animal attacks, both from a dog’s powerful jaws and from the force of the impact of a large animal knocking someone to the ground and jumping on them. Animal attacks could be particularly hazardous to more vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and people with mobility limitations. Children often do not know how to respond to dogs. They might pull their tails and somehow unintentionally provoke a dog. When a dog responds by attacking them, kids cannot defend themselves or get away. Kids often suffer facial trauma in these attacks because they are much lower to the ground.
Frequently, dog attacks leave people with the following injuries:
- Lacerations
- Scarring leading to permanent disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Head injuries from falling
- Spinal injuries from falling
- Infections
In addition to physical wounds, many survivors of domestic animal attacks suffer from emotional trauma. They might be unable to be in the same room as a dog and need extensive therapy to overcome their fear of dogs.
A compassionate attorney in Bothell understands how debilitating dog attacks could be. They could work closely with a dog bite survivor to help them obtain what they need to heal.
Relevant Laws Regarding Animal Attacks
Fortunately, the state of Washington is favorable to survivors and victims of dog attacks. Unlike other states, a claimant generally does not need to prove a dog that bit them had a prior history of aggressive behavior. If a dog attacks a person, the owner should be responsible, regardless of where the attack occurs. In most situations, a dog’s owner is legally accountable for the injuries, even if the bite happened at their house.
An owner could try to defend against liability by arguing that a claimant provoked the dog or that an individual was trespassing on their land. An experienced legal representative knows how to fight back against such defensive strategies. A lawyer in Bothell could investigate the circumstances of the dog attack to find evidence supporting a claimant’s side of the story.
Get in Touch with a Bothell Dog Bite Attorney
Dog owners have a duty to train their animals. They should also control their pets and keep them from dangerous situations. Dog attacks could cause severe trauma, leaving you with lifelong physical and mental scars.
If a dog attacked you or your family member, you should retain a Bothell dog bite lawyer. Let them help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Get in touch today.
