Your Seattle Dog Bite Lawyer: Evergreen Personal Injury Counsel

Dogs are usually our loving, loyal companions. They’re furry and cute and amusing. But we can’t forget that man’s best friend is originally a predator. There are approximately 4.5 million dog bite incidents every year in the U.S. Half of the victims are children. While most dog bites are minor, around 20% of them require medical attention. Almost 19,000 dog bite victims in the U.S. needed reconstructive surgery for their injuries in 2022. 

If you’re one of the millions who get bitten by a dog each year, you may be entitled to compensation. A dog bite injury claim can help you claim compensation for your medical expenses and pain and suffering. As your Seattle dog bite lawyer, Evergreen Personal Injury Counsel is here to make sure your claim is successful and help you with all the details while you recover.

Understanding Dog Bite Injury Claims

A dog bite can be traumatic, especially for a child. And when the bite is severe enough to require medical care, it can also be a great financial burden. 

Washington State has a strict liability law for dog bites, meaning dog owners can be held liable regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s negligence. Even if they had no reason to suspect their dog would bite someone and took the proper precautions to prevent an injury, they could still be held liable for injuries. Typically, the only exceptions are if the bite victim was trespassing or provoking the dog.

Under this strict liability law, the dog owner is likely liable for your damages if you’re bitten. Let’s discuss what to do after a dog bite and how filing a claim works.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

What you do immediately after a dog bite is important not only for your health and safety but also for the success of a future claim or lawsuit. Follow these steps:

• Seek medical attention. Even if the bite seems minor, it’s best to have it checked out in case of infection. Medical records will also be vital to your dog bite claim.
• Report the incident: You can report a dog bite to animal control or to local authorities. This is an important step to create an official record that will assist with any future legal action.
• Gather information and document the scene: If it is safe to do so, take pictures of the scene, the dog, and your injuries. Get the owner’s contact information and details about their dog, including its vaccination status and any history of aggressive behavior. If there were any witnesses of the bite, ask for their contact information too.
• Do not discuss fault or liability. Though you want to get the necessary information from the dog owner, avoid talking about liability. Don’t say anything that might sound like you’re admitting fault.
• Keep notes. Make a record of your medical care, conversations with the dog owner, how the bite or injuries is affecting your daily life, and anything else related to the incident.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim

If a dog bite leads to medical bills, lost wages, or otherwise affects your daily life, you should consider filing a dog bite injury claim. You would typically file a claim against the dog owner’s insurance. To succeed, you’ll need to demonstrate the owner’s liability, prove your injuries, and show the extent of your damages.

That might sound simple, but it often isn’t. A lot of documentation and paperwork is required. Moreover, insurance companies are usually more interested in minimizing their expenses than fairly compensating you. When a dog bite claim can’t be settled, it may become a lawsuit.

How a Seattle Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

Your Seattle dog bite lawyer can help with every aspect of a dog bite injury claim or lawsuit. It’s our job to guide you through the process, assist with all the details and communication, and make sure your claim is a success. As personal injury lawyers, we know how to negotiate and maximize your compensation. We also take much of the stress and burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovery.

Experienced Guidance

Hiring a Seattle dog bite lawyer means you’ll have dedicated, knowledgeable guidance throughout the entire process. You can consult an attorney if the accident just happened and you’re not sure what to do, or if you’ve filed a claim and been denied. Wherever you are in the process, we’ll help you find the best path forward.

Gathering Evidence

For your claim to succeed, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have damages deserving compensation and show how much those damages are worth. That means evidence. Your Seattle dog bite lawyer will know what makes a strong case and how to get the documentation you need, whether it’s doctor’s notes, eyewitness accounts, or expert testimonies. 

Negotiating with Insurance

One of the challenges of any personal injury claim is negotiating with stingy insurance companies. They will likely look for every opportunity to deny or minimize your claim, and the arguing and bargaining can be exhausting. We don’t let that happen. Your Seattle dog bite lawyer will handle all the negotiations and won’t accept anything less than a fair settlement.

Court Representation

If a fair settlement can’t be reached through an insurance claim, we’re prepared to take your case to court. A dog bite lawsuit is even more complicated and stressful than a claim. Your lawyer will help you through the entire process and represent you in court, fighting for you tirelessly.

Why Choose EPIC Law as Your Seattle Dog Bite Lawyer?

At Evergreen Personal Injury Counsel, we provide compassionate, comprehensive service for all your personal injury needs in Seattle. Our team will be your #1 ally, helping with every detail and ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. Here’s what makes us stand out.

• Experience. EPIC Law has been serving the Seattle community for over two decades. That means we know what works, we know all the local laws, and we know how to make your case succeed. 
• Proven results. Our results speak for themselves. We’ve led clients to verdicts and settlements in the millions of dollars.
• Compassionate. We care about our clients. You won’t just get legal advice and a suit to represent you in court–you’ll get an entire team that is genuinely on your side and wants to help.
• Happy clients. Our greatest measure of success is when a client feels listened to and respected, and leaves our office happy. We’re proud of every client testimonial. 

Contact Evergreen Personal Injury Counsel Today

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog and you’re ready to claim compensation, we’re here to help. Reach out to EPIC Law today to schedule a free consultation with a Seattle dog bite lawyer. We’ll evaluate your case and help you decide on the best course of action.