Annually, dog bites cost up to $500 million in damages, including hospital visits and time missed from work. Being injured in a dog bite attack can have serious consequences, especially if your injuries are left untreated.

Each year, more than 4.5 million Americans fall victim to dog bites and attacks. While most attacks are attributed to breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers, it’s important to know that gentle-looking dogs can attack without warning too.

A Bellingham Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

If you or a loved one has recently been bitten by a dog, it’s crucial that you speak with a Bellingham dog bite lawyer immediately to learn more about your legal options.

Since 1993, the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Advocates have helped countless dog bite victims recover compensation for their injuries. We have handled numerous dog bite claims and negotiated with insurance companies to get personal injury victims fair settlements for their losses. Our dog bite attorneys are second to none.

The dog bite lawyers at the Bellingham Advocates are well-versed in Washington State statutes written specifically to protect the rights of dog bite victims. Our dog bite injury lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to help you determine who is liable and exactly what insurance coverage applies for your particular dog bite attack.

Dog Bite Injury FAQ

What You Should Know About Washington Dog Bite Laws:

If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Washington State, there are a few key things to know. The most important is that, like many personal injury claims, dog bite lawsuits are time-sensitive. It is necessary for you to file your dog bite claim within the first three years following the date of the incident.

Dog bite claims can also be extremely complex. Sorting out issues like determining liability, understanding insurance policies, and recovering any lost wages resulting from your injuries can be difficult to do on your own. An experienced dog bite lawyer can explain all you need to know about building a strong claim.

Liability Issues

Dog bite cases can be rather complicated and the relevant laws tend to vary from state to state. Luckily, when it comes to determining who is responsible for your dog bite injury, Washington is a “strict liability” state. This means that as long as you or the person injured in the dog attack did not provoke the animal, nor were you trespassing on someone else’s property, then the dog owner is liable for any damages caused by the dog’s bites. All you need to determine this liability is proof that the dog bite did indeed cause you injuries. Any of the Bellingham dog bite attorneys at The Advocates is experienced in collecting the evidence needed to determine who is at-fault for your dog bite injury.

Homeowners Insurance Policies

Since most dog bites occur in the home of a friend, neighbor, or family member, many dog bite victims are hesitant to pursuing an insurance claim. We get it. Nobody wants to sue a friend.

What most people don’t know is that in the state of Washington, the dog bite owner’s homeowners insurance policy is what will compensate you for your injuries and losses. Thankfully, homeowners insurance generally covers any dog bite by the policy holder’s dog. Getting an insurance company to cover these types of claims usually isn’t the problem. What is a problem is figuring out if a dog’s owner has some sort of homeowners/renter’s liability policy in the first place. The last thing dog bite victims want to do after being injured in a dog attack is to read a dense and confusing insurance policy. This is why hiring a skilled attorney can be instrumental in getting you the settlement you deserve.

Workers Compensation

In Washington State, if you’re forced to miss work due to a serious dog bite injury, you may be entitled to compensation for any lost wages and damages suffered from the attack. The dog bite attorneys at The Advocates are experienced in helping victims recover the compensation they are rightfully owed for their injuries and losses. Our dog bite lawyers are experts in Washington State laws regarding unprovoked dog attacks. We have handled and fought for hundreds of dog bite victims across the state.

Retrieving workers compensation for an unwarranted dog attack can feel like a huge hassle. No one should have to go through the aftermath of a dog bite on their own. Our team of Advocates will help you every step of the way.

What a Bellingham Dog Bite Attorney Can Do For You!

There are many good reasons to hire a Bellingham bog bite lawyer to handle your injury claim. Out of the millions of Americans bitten by dogs each year, less than 5% of victims receive compensation for their injuries and losses. Our dog injury lawyers are different. We can help you with the following:

Obtain maximum compensation for your injuries
Build the strongest dog injury claim possible
Compile your comprehensive medical records
Speak with your employer about missed work

By hiring an Advocate, we will negotiate with pushy insurance adjusters on your behalf to get the settlement you deserve. You can call our office today for a free consultation!

Experienced Bellingham Dog Bite Lawyers

Most dog bite settlements depend on the severity of injuries and damages suffered. Since no two dog bite injuries are the same, it’s important to understand your settlement amount will be based on a combination of factors. Damages often include medical bills and expenses, loss of past or future wages and income, as well as emotional suffering, scarring and other pain.

The dog bite attorneys with the Bellingham branch of The Advocates are experienced negotiators who know precisely how to get you maximum compensation for your dog bite claim. If the insurance companies refuse to play fair, then our litigation team will take your injury claim to court and bring you the justice you deserve.

You Deserve an Advocate!

At The Advocates, we serve as a voice for dog bite victims in Bellingham and throughout Washington State. Our firm not only has the experience you’ll need to pursue your dog bite claim, we are completely dedicated to you and your recovery process. We make your needs our number #1 priority and will fight for you until the claim is resolved and there’s money in your pocket.

Unlike other personal injury law firms, The Advocates won’t quit until you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t settle for second best. Contact us today for a free consultation.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Call, fill out the form below, or text us for a free consultation today.