Nearly two years ago, a little boy was attacked by a dog while he was playing in the street with his sister. The Washington boy sustained severe disfiguring to his neck according to doctors. He also had puncture wounds to his back and left shoulder.
The boy’s family filed a lawsuit against the dog’s owner shortly after the attack and in January, a judge ordered the woman to pay more than $180,000 in damages. Now, prosecutors have charged with the woman being the owner of a dog that attacks.
At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we know that dog bites and attacks are not rare. There are around 90 million dogs in the US. Attacks happen more often than people realize. If you need a Seattle dog injury attack, you can count on us to be by your side, working to secure the compensation you deserve.
What Can Happen?
Dog bites and attacks can lead to major medical expenses. In many cases, a bite can be treated at an urgent care clinic or doctor’s office. However, we know that injuries are often much more severe and require both emergency and reconstructive surgery to restore a person’s appearance and functionality.
In the case mentioned above, the doctors said the victim suffered severe disfiguring. He will likely always have scars from that attack. We know that children and the elderly are much more likely to suffer from severe injuries in a dog attack because they are not able to fight, defend themselves, or get away from the situation.
We know that there are around 4.5 million dog bites each year in the United States. The CDC tells us that nearly 1 in 5 people who are bitten require medical attention. Dogs have powerful jaws and even smaller dogs can inflict severe soft tissue damage.
How do these attacks happen?
Sometimes, a person is bitten by accident. This is often the case when a dog owner is attempting to break up two dogs that are fighting. Other times, though, an attack occurs due to a dog owner’s negligence.
If an owner fails to secure their dog on their property or if they violate municipal leash laws, they could be held liable for any injuries their dog causes. If a dog owner knows their pet is aggressive, or if there is a documented history of aggression with a dog, they should not let it be around other pets or people.
What Happens Now?
If you or a loved one have been bitten or attacked by a dog, please seek medical assistance as soon as possible. These cases can become complicated and we know that you need compensation for the following:
- All of your attack-related medical expenses
- Lost wages if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages
At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our knowledgeable and experienced team will work diligently on your behalf. When you need a dog bite injury attorney in Seattle, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling 206-516-2045.