As a civilian, any time you go walking or jogging, you have a right to feel safe in your environment. If you should happen to get bitten by a dog or some other animal, there are steps you can take. You probably have a personal injury case, depending on the situation. A dog bite attorney in Spokane, WA can help you find out exactly what all your options are if you have suffered an injury as such. It is especially worth to note that in Washington, the normal “one bite rule” that applies in many states do not apply.
In Washington, once a dog has bitten you, the owner becomes strictly liable for the conduct of his or her dog, regardless to whether it was the first time or not. It does not matter if the dog has ever been vicious. Pertaining to the personal injury portion of this case, you will not have to worry about the caps on damages. You are entitled to receive all that can possibly be due you, contingent upon the extent of your suffering.
However, one important tip to keep in mind is that Washington is also a comparative fault state. This simply means that if you are found to be partially negligent for what happened to you, your damages will be reduced by the amount determined to be your fault. For example, if it can be proven that you somehow invaded the dog’s space, or you antagonized the dog, there may be some serious reduction in what you receive. Also, understand that the statute of limitations for such cases will be three years from the date of the incident.
The Deissner Law Office has been offering legal solutions for clients in Spokane, Washington and the surrounding areas for more than 30 years. Among the services offered are social security disabilities, Chapter 7 bankruptcies and personal injuries, such as the dog bite cases. If you feel you may have a case due to suffering a bite from anyone’s pet, you can get help by visiting Deissner Law, a dog bite attorney in Spokane, WA who is willing to help.
