Washington State's Dog Bite Statute holds dog owners strictly liable for the injuries caused by their dogs. This means that even if it is the first time that a dog attacks someone, the state's "one-bite rule" holds the owner responsible for the injury accident if the animal attacked without provocation.

Williams Law Offices, PLLC represents Washington dog bite victims in the Puget Sound area in dog bite accident cases against dog owners, dog harborers, dog handlers, dog keepers, and landlords that knew that their tenants were harboring dangerous dogs. Everett Dog Bite Attorney John M. Williams can help you obtain financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Dog Bite Facts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there are over 4.7 million dog bite victims in the United States every year. 800,000 of these injury victims—about 400,000 of them children—will seek medical attention for their injuries. About 12 of these victims will die from dog mauling injuries.

Dog bite injuries can range from mild nip marks to open bite wounds, rabies, broken bones, massive internal injuries, physical disfigurement, and death. Children ages 5 to 9 are at highest risk of serious dog bite injuries, and kids ages 4 and under are most prone to head, facial, and neck injuries when attacked by a dog. Some serious dog bite injuries may require multiple surgeries, including plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery, to heal.

A young child that is mauled by a dog may have to live with scars and physical disfigurement for years until he or she is fully grown and the corrective surgery can be performed. In addition to physical injuries, dog bites can lead to mental and emotional trauma.

Washington's Dog Bite Statute
In Washington State, dog owners, dog handlers, dog harborers, and dog keepers must exercise the proper safety measures to ensure that their dogs do not injure or kill a human being or another animal. They can be held liable if they fail to take these safety steps and anyone gets hurt or dies.

A "potentially dangerous dog" is a dog that acts threateningly or attacks a person or another pet without provocation. A dog that is already classified as a "dangerous dog" is an animal that has seriously injured a human being or another domestic animal without being provoked.

It is the responsibility of the "dangerous dog" owner to report that their dog is a danger, properly confine the dog, restrain and muzzle it when the animal is not locked up, post warning signs that there is a dangerous dog on the property, and purchase an insurance policy worth at least $250,000 that covers personal injuries. A dog owner whose pet seriously injures or kills a person that is not trespassing may also be charged with a felony crime that comes with a maximum 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Attorney John M. Williams has successfully helped dog bite injury victims obtain insurance settlements and jury awards that cover their losses and damages. Williams Law Offices, PLLC represents many dog bite injury victims and their families in the entire Puget Sound area, including Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Bothell, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace and other cities in King County and Snohomish County.

To schedule your free consultation with Everett, Washington Dog Bite Lawyer John M. Williams, call Williams Law Offices, PLLC at (866) 315-2427 or contact us online.