Call Us atWell-behaved dogs seem to add joy to almost every interaction. Poorly behaved dogs can add an element of frustration. Biting dogs add fear, danger, and intimidation to every scenario. Bites can cause severe injuries and lifelong trauma.
Recovering from a dog bite can be a long and involved process. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may need reconstructive surgery and other interventions to try to return to normal. Many dog bite victims experience lingering emotional aftershocks, including a fear of dogs and other animals. While you focus on healing, a Lynnwood dog bite lawyer can focus on getting you the compensation you deserve through a personal injury claim.
Strict Liability for a Dog Bite
The Revised Code of Washington § 16.08.040 imposes strict liability on dog owners after a dog bite. The statute does not require a history of viciousness or prior bites. It covers bites on public and private property, including the dog owner’s own property. The law only covers people who are lawfully on private property—it excludes most trespassers.
Generally, the law strives to protect people from animal bites as long as the person has a legal right to be in that location. It applies even if a person is in an animal-oriented business, such as at a veterinarian’s office or pet store. It also applies to dog parks, even off-leash dog parks, where owners should be in control of their pets. An attorney in Lynnwood could determine whether strict liability applies to a dog bite case.
Potential Physical Injuries From an Animal Attack
Dog bites range in severity from little nips to disfigurement and tremendous damage. Puncture wounds are common—they may require cleaning and healing or stitches. Soft tissue damage—such as missing lips or noses—is typical for child victims of dog attacks. Wounds can lead to nerve damage and scarring. In worst-case scenarios, dog attacks can lead to death. The risk of death is greater for frail victims—children and elderly adults—or when multiple dogs attack.
Any dog bite or scratch that breaks the skin can cause an infection. A person should seek medical care and follow their doctor’s recommendations, which may include antibiotics.
In terms of illness, rabies is a risk. When the owners cannot prove the dog has had its rabies vaccination, the county may quarantine the animal and observe its behavior in that case. If authorities are unable to locate the animal to quarantine it, a doctor may recommend the rabies protocol — a series of vaccinations and immunoglobulin shots that can prevent a person from contracting rabies. The protocol is expensive, time-consuming, and somewhat painful. However, since rabies is 100 percent fatal once a person shows symptoms, starting treatment if medical professionals recommend it is essential.
Medical bills, time away from work, and potential loss of earning potential are all examples of possible damages from a dog attack. A lawyer in Lynnwood could discuss whether your dog bite case supports additional claims, such as pain and suffering.
Psychological Injuries Cause by a Dog Bite
While many people focus on the physical injuries after a dog attack, the psychological issues are often much more devastating. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a stress response that can last months or even years. Many people describe it as relieving the trauma, which includes emotional and physical reactions. People can experience nightmares, anxiety, depression, and more.
Not surprisingly, fear of dogs can result from a dog attack. This fear can be life-changing. It does more than make people not want to own a dog. It can keep people from being able to enjoy public spaces where dogs may be present. Given the trend towards pet-friendly places, a fear of dogs can convert someone from an active, involved person to someone who is afraid to venture out in public.
Therapy can be life-changing for people with lingering psychological issues after a dog attack. However, it is both expensive and time-consuming. A dog bite attorney in Lynnwood could help ensure the wrong-doer pays for the therapy and compensates a person for the time involved.
Consult a Lynnwood Dog Bite Attorney Today
Every dog bite case is unique. While dog owners are almost always at fault, the law has a few exceptions, which may apply in your case. The best way to find out more is to schedule a consultation with a Lynnwood dog bite lawyer. We could review the facts of your case and advise you on the best steps to take to preserve your rights.
