Top Tacoma Dog Bite Attorneys Fight Tooth and Nail for Justice for the Bitten

Anyone who’s ever experienced a dog attack knows the trauma it can cause. Like any animal attack, the psychological effects can be long-lasting, even lifelong. Dog owners can face serious criminal charges if their dog attacks a human, so all dog owners would do well to leash and monitor their dogs properly.

We’re some of Tacoma’s top dog bite lawyers, and we’ve proudly held that position for 60 years. If you or your loved one has suffered a dog bite injury, we’re here to fight for justice and compensation for you. We’re experts in dog bite law, as we are in all personal injury law. We’d be privileged to offer you a free consultation; simply fill out our contact form.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

A dog bite can cause a serious injury. Many are familiar with the gentle bites or playful gnawing that a dog may do during playtime, but dog bite victims know the serious injury—or wrongful death, in some cases—that can come from a dog attack.

According to WebMD, most dog bites occur in children ages 5 to 9, and one in every five bites requires medical attention.

Some types of injuries a dog bite victim might experience are as follows:

• Abrasions
• Broken bones
• Crushing injuries
• Disfigurement
• Infections
• Lacerations
• Nerve damage
• Punctures
• Rabies
• Scarring

Injuries can be fatal or nonfatal. Many require medical treatment. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, we urge you to contact us. Whether your bite happened in a public place or on private property, you may have the legal right to compensation for your injury. As expert personal injury attorneys, we have wide-ranging results across a variety of practice areas. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Who’s Liable for the Dog Bite?

Generally, state law dictates the dog owner is liable for the dog bite. Some states follow a “one-bite” rule, in which the dog owner is not held liable for a given dog’s first bite of a person. Washington State, however, doesn’t follow the one-bite rule.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

There are several steps a person can take to ensure they can build strong evidence in a dog bite case. First and foremost, treat the wound. Next, try and do the following:

1. Identify the dog and its owner. Try to obtain the name of the owner and the dog who did the biting. If possible, obtain proof of vaccination for rabies. You may have to get rabies shots—if the owner can’t prove the dog has been vaccinated—and that can be expensive.
2. File a report. Dogs who bite should be reported, so that future bites can be prevented. Check with your local city about filing your report.
3. Take photos. It’s important to document your injuries. Be sure to take photos of your injuries as it will help support your case.
4. Contact a lawyer. Be sure to get an attorney to help you file your claim. RHHK has 60 years of experience helping dog bite victims get the justice and compensation they deserve.
5. Journal. It’s a good idea to log the events of the attack, your thoughts and feelings, and any other details that may come to you. These could become useful to you, as cases may take time.

Why You Deserve Compensation

RHHK is committed to getting our clients the justice—and compensation—they deserve. From Seattle to Olympia, we’ve been helping Washington dog bite victims for over six decades. Some of the reasons for compensation include, but are not limited to:

• Emotional distress
• Lost wages or lost earning potential
• Medical bills and medical expenses
• Pain and suffering

As some of the most experienced attorneys in Washington, we have a long track record of getting compensation for our clients.

How Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC Fights for You

As local Tacoma dog bite lawyers, we know Washington dog bite law. We have the skills and experience to represent you at every step in the dog bite claim process. And we offer a free case review for all our injury cases.

• First, a free consultation. This time is for you. You’ll get a free evaluation, where we’ll evaluate the strength of your case, and answer any questions you may have. If we believe you have a strong case, we’ll get to work right away.
• We gather evidence. It’s important to support your claim with reliable and clear evidence. In this stage, we’ll gather pictures, witness statements, and any other pieces of supporting evidence that will bolster your claim, and get you closer to justice.
• We’ll negotiate a settlement. In many cases, a settlement is the end goal. By settling, we can ensure that you get the justice you deserve—plus compensation. It’s advantageous for the negligent party to avoid going to court, which often means we can negotiate good terms for your settlement.
• We’ll file a lawsuit, if necessary. If the claim can’t be settled out of court, the next step is to file a lawsuit. Our nine relentless attorneys are the best in the Puget Sound, so you won’t have to worry about who’s representing you. Our pros are stellar in and out of the courtroom.

What Makes Us Different from Other Attorneys?

It’s not our six decades of experience that makes us different from all the rest. It’s not that we’ve hired the top attorneys in the state. And it’s not that we know the law inside and out—although, we do.

What sets us apart—what truly makes us different—is our unfaltering dedication to your story. Your voice will be heard, not quieted. You will be championed, not ignored. And justice will be delivered, not forgotten.