Dog Bites

Experienced Spokane, WA Dog Bite Attorney


These cases tend to involve dogs owned by family, friends, or neighbors. These cases often require diplomacy because the attack victims feel that they need a lawyer to help deal with the medical bills, scarring, and other problems caused by the dog bite, but the dog owners may feel defensive. Fannin Litigation Group is good in these situations.

  • Getting Bit on The Hand — Spokane, WA — Fannin Litigation Group

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IF YOU HAVE BEEN ATTACKED OR BITTEN BY A DOG, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Try to identify the dog's owner or at least the owner's address.
  • Call the local authorities and report the bite. In Spokane, call Spokanimal at 509 534-8133.
  • Get immediate medical treatment. Even superficial puncture wounds can become infected so seek professional help. Note that having your immunization records and the dogs may help your doctor determine how to treat you.
  • Photograph all physical injuries such as bite marks before and after medical treatment.
  • Identify any witnesses, including their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address.

If you were not trespassing or provoking the dog at the time of the bite, you probably are entitled to recover all your expenses. This includes the cost of medical treatment and the value of your physical and emotional scarring. These can be significant – especially facial scarring. I can help you value the worth of your scarring based on the extent and location of the scarring.

Avoid entering any agreement with the dog owner until you have consulted with me. For instance, dog owners will often offer to pay your medical bills or insurance co-pays. While those owners may have good intentions, if you accept those types of offers, the lawyers for their insurance company may later argue that you settled the case. We will help you structure any such provisions not to limit a future recovery.

Suppose you retain our firm to help you with your dog bite injury. In that case, we will start by diplomatically contacting the dog owner to determine whether a homeowner's insurance policy will compensate you for damages. I will explain to that person that we are interested in making an insurance claim, not personally using them. I will also help you decide whether you should seek a plastic surgeon consult to decrease the appearance of any scar or professional counseling if you have any residual anxiety about dogs and fear of dog attacks.

Often, dog bites involve children. There are special laws in Washington that we must follow before resolving a case involving a minor. I can assist you with those as well.

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