What to Expect in a Dog Bite Claim

Our team Seattle dog bite lawyers guarantee to work hard every day, build a strong case, and fight for you in court. We don’t let up until we obtain the best possible results under the circumstances. This result usually includes compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Dog Bite Injuries

Many dog bite victims are young children. These victims usually sustain serious physical and emotional injuries which can be permanent.

In addition to the bite itself, a dog attached can lead to other injuries.  For example, if a pit bull or other large dog lunges at a vulnerable victim, the resulting fall can cause a head injury or a broken pelvis.

Emotional injuries can include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Extreme stress, like a serious dog bite, can alter brain chemistry and causes symptoms like:

• Anger,
• Hypervigilance,
• Depression,
• Flashbacks, and
• Nightmares.

These symptoms, and others as well, can be very disruptive to a child’s life.  Even in the absence of PTSD, a child or other victim of a dog bite can be anxious and fearful of dogs.

Resolving your dog-bite case

For any injury case, the injured person has to prove (a) liability (that someone did something wrong), and (2) damages (medical bills, lost wages, scarring, pain and suffering).  Most of the time, an injured person has to prove that they were injured due to someone’s negligence.  However, Washington has strict liability for dog bites—if you were bitten by a dog, you do not have to prove the dog’s owner was negligent.  The only exception is if the dog owner can prove that you provoked the dog into biting you.

Sometimes it’s possible to settle your dog-bite case without having to file suit, but insurance companies frequently undervalue dog-bite cases.  If the insurance company won’t pay fair value, we will file suit and litigate.

Count on a Savvy King County Lawyer

Most dog bite claims settle before trial. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Seattle, contact the Emerald Law Group.

Source:

investopedia.com/dog-bite-claims-decrease-but-costs-hit-record-5179199