Spokane Dog Bite Attorney

Representing Dog Attack Victims Throughout Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho

As the old saying goes, “dogs are man’s best friend”, but that doesn’t mean they are incapable of doing major harm seemingly out of nowhere. According to statistics,  more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually, and 1 in 6 of those bites are serious enough to require medical attention. Even the most well-mannered and properly trained dog can uncharacteristically lunge out and attack someone for no apparent reason. 

If you or a loved one was attacked or bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation. At Karen Lindholdt, we help dog bite victims and their families hold pet owner’s accountable for their dog’s vicious behavior. 

By filing a personal injury claim, we can bring you one step closer to getting the necessary help to cover your medical bills, emotional and psychological trauma, and other difficulties stemming from the attack.

Contact us at (509) 779-8180 to speak with a knowledgeable Spokane dog bite attorney today. Se habla español.

What Does Washington State Law Say About Dog Bites?

According to Washington state statute RCW 16.08, dog owners are liable for dangerous dogs and must pay damages to the bitten victim whether the attack happened on public property or private property. It further states that it doesn’t matter if the dog never previously attacked anyone or showed any viciousness or aggression in the past.

The exact wording is as follows:

“The owner of any dog which shall bite any person while such person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the owner of such dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”

The legal team at Karen Lindholdt has a deep understanding of the laws and has previous case experience involving dog bites. We use this knowledge and experience to carefully analyze the facts of the case and decide that a case has enough merit to go forward with recovering compensation.

Common Injuries Sustained from Dog Bites

While dog bites can often be a self-defense response to abuse or mistreatment, they can also be totally unpredictable and unwarranted. Some dogs are naturally more aggressive, territorial, or protective of what’s theirs. No matter the reasoning, it is on the owner to keep the dog composed or contained so they don’t harm others.

Some of the injuries that can be sustained from a dog bite are: 

• Puncture wounds
• Transmission of rabies
• Broken bones
• Infections
• Nerve damage
• Eye injuries
• Scarring

This list doesn’t include the psychological and emotional trauma that can come from a dog attack which may haunt a victim for the rest of their lives. If a dog knocks a victim down, the fall can potentially cause injury to the brain, back, or spinal cord. The severity of these injuries may require surgery and extensive medical treatment which can be very costly. 

As your dog bite attorney, we are determined to recover full and fair compensation for your medical expenses as well as for any long-term therapy needed to treat emotional scars from such a traumatic event.

Who is Most Vulnerable to Dog Bites?

Children are far more likely to be injured in a dog attack than adults, mainly due to their playfulness and curiosity. Children are also less likely to recognize cues from dogs that they are scared, vicious, or territorial. What’s even worse is that as a result of their smaller size, the impact of a dog bite is much worse than if a grown adult were attacked.

As a parent or caretaker of a child, having them attacked by a dog can be devastating. While you tend to your child and get them the help they need to recover, we can investigate the details of the attack and communicate with the dog owner’s insurance company to prove liability. If the dog owner failed to contain their dog or put him on a leash, they may be responsible for your child’s injuries and damages.