The hardest part of a dog attack is often what comes after: a friend or neighbor owns the dog, and now you feel like pursuing a claim means picking a fight. It does not. The money almost always comes from insurance, not from someone's pocket.
A Spokane dog bite lawyer at Parker & McConkie helps people injured by dogs across Spokane and Washington get treatment and compensation without the awkwardness of going it alone. Consultations are free, and you owe us nothing unless we win.
If a dog bit or attacked you or your child, call our Spokane office at (509) 374-3111.
Is a Dog Owner Automatically Liable for a Bite in Washington?
In most cases, yes. Washington is a strict liability state for dog bites, which means an owner is responsible for a bite even if the dog never showed aggression before. You do not have to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. The rule is set out in RCW 16.08.040.
This is a major advantage for injured people. Many states follow a "one bite" rule that lets an owner off the hook the first time. Washington does not. If you were bitten while lawfully in a public place or on private property, including as an invited guest, the owner is generally liable.
| Washington (strict liability) | "One-bite" states | |
| Owner liable for a first bite | Yes | Often no |
| Must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous | No | Usually yes |
| Applies to any breed | Yes | Varies |
There are limits, such as bites provoked by the victim or injuries to trespassers, and insurers try to stretch those exceptions. We keep them narrow.
Who Pays for a Dog Bite Injury?
Almost always the owner's insurance, not the owner directly, and that is the point most people miss. Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies typically cover dog bite claims, which means pursuing compensation does not mean draining your neighbor's savings.
That coverage exists precisely for situations like this. It is why you can seek fair payment for medical bills, scarring, and lost income without turning a personal relationship into a financial crisis for the other family. The claim is really between you and an insurance company.
Some policies exclude certain breeds or a dog with a bite history, and those exclusions get complicated. We identify the right policy and handle the insurer, so you can concentrate on recovering rather than on an uncomfortable conversation with the owner.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
Protect your health first, then take a few steps that preserve your claim. Dog bites carry real infection risk, so medical care is not optional, and the same records that guide your treatment also document your case.
After a bite, if you are able:
- Get medical attention promptly, because bites can cause deep puncture wounds and infection
- Identify the dog's owner and ask whether the dog is vaccinated
- Photograph your injuries and the location where it happened
- Report the bite to Spokane Regional Health District or local animal control
- Write down the names of any witnesses
Reporting the bite is not about punishing the dog. It creates an official record and helps protect the next person. We can help you navigate all of it.
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Why Dog Bites Hit Children the Hardest
Children are the most common and most seriously hurt dog bite victims, and the reasons are simple and heartbreaking. A child is closer to a dog's level, often approaches without reading warning signs, and cannot defend against an attack. When a dog bites a child, the injuries tend to be to the face, head, and neck.
Those injuries frequently mean more than stitches. They can require reconstructive surgery and leave permanent scarring, along with lasting fear and emotional trauma. Washington law also gives minors additional time to bring a claim, which matters because the full impact of scarring is sometimes clearer as a child grows.
We handle children's dog bite cases with particular care, making sure the claim accounts for future surgeries and the emotional harm, not just the initial emergency visit.
We also work with treating doctors and, when scarring is significant, plastic surgeons, to document what a child's future care will require. A scar that seems small today can need revision surgery as a child grows, and the emotional effects can last for years. Building that future into the claim is how we make sure a settlement does not run out long before a child's needs do.
We help everyday people stand up for What's Right.
What Injuries Do Dog Attacks Cause?
Dog attacks cause more than surface wounds, and the lasting effects are often what drive the value of a claim. A bite that looks minor at first can lead to serious complications and permanent harm.
Common dog bite injuries include deep puncture wounds, torn skin and muscle, and nerve damage that can limit movement. Infection is a real risk, because a dog's mouth carries bacteria, and an untreated bite can turn dangerous quickly. Facial injuries are especially common in attacks on children and frequently require reconstructive surgery.
Beyond the physical wounds, dog attacks leave emotional scars. Many victims, and children in particular, develop lasting anxiety or a fear of dogs that affects daily life. Washington law recognizes this psychological harm as part of your claim.
We make sure the claim accounts for every layer of the injury, from the emergency treatment to the plastic surgery, scarring, and trauma that can follow a victim for years.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?
Adults generally have three years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit in Washington, under RCW 4.16.080. For children, the clock usually does not start until they turn eighteen, so a family often has more time to act on a minor's behalf.
Even with extra time, earlier is better. Memories fade, the dog's history gets harder to trace, and photos of healing wounds are most useful when they are fresh.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Dog Bite?
Your claim is worth the full cost of the attack, and with dog bites that often includes lasting effects that go well beyond the first hospital visit. Value depends on the severity of the wounds, the scarring, and the emotional impact.
Compensation generally covers medical treatment, including any reconstructive or plastic surgery, future care, lost wages for a parent or adult victim, and payment for pain, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and the psychological trauma that so often follows an attack. Because scars and fear can be lifelong, especially for children, we build claims that look at the long term, not just the emergency room bill.
Who Else Can Be Responsible Besides the Dog's Owner?
The dog's owner is the most common target of a claim, but they are not always the only one. When someone other than the owner had control of the dog or the property, they may share responsibility, and that can matter a great deal when the owner has no insurance.
Others who may be liable include a landlord who knew a dangerous dog lived on the property and did nothing, a property manager, or a dog sitter, kennel, or daycare that had custody of the dog when it attacked. A parent or guardian may be responsible when a minor's dog causes harm. Each of these can open an additional source of insurance coverage.
This matters most when the owner is uninsured or has no assets to pay a claim. Finding a second responsible party, and a second insurance policy, can be the difference between a token settlement and one that actually covers your medical bills and scarring.
We investigate every angle, because the owner's policy is not always the only path to a fair recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite in Spokane?
For anything beyond a minor nip, yes. Even with strict liability, insurers dispute how the bite happened, raise provocation defenses, and undervalue scarring and trauma. A Spokane dog bite lawyer handles the insurer, keeps the exceptions narrow, and makes sure the claim reflects the full, often long-term cost of the attack.
How much does a Spokane dog bite lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. We handle dog bite cases on contingency, meaning our fee is a share of the recovery and applies only if we win, with no fee if we do not. The consultation is free and we advance the costs, so you can pursue a full claim without any money out of pocket.
What if I was partly to blame for the dog biting me?
You may still recover. Washington uses pure comparative negligence, so even if you shared some fault, your compensation is reduced by your share rather than eliminated. Insurers often claim provocation to avoid paying. We evaluate that defense honestly and push back when it is exaggerated, which it usually is.
Does the dog have to be a specific breed for me to have a claim?
No. Washington's dog bite law applies to any breed, so the type of dog does not decide whether you have a claim. Breed can matter to an insurance policy's coverage, and we look at that, but your right to recover for a bite does not depend on what kind of dog it was.
Will filing a dog bite claim raise the rates on my own household policy?
This is a common and understandable worry, and it should not stop you from getting care documented. A dog bite claim is usually filed against the dog owner's liability coverage, and when the injured person is a household member, coverage can work differently, so it is worth reviewing before you assume anything.
What you should not do is skip medical treatment out of fear about premiums, because the health risks from a bite, including infection, are real. We can help you understand how the coverage applies to your specific situation and what your realistic options are before you decide anything.
I do not want to sue my friend over their dog. Can I still get my medical bills paid?
Usually yes, without the fallout you fear. A dog bite claim is typically paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, not by the owner personally. Most people find that filing does not damage the relationship, because it is the insurance company, not their friend, that provides the compensation.
The dog had never bitten anyone before. Does that let the owner off the hook?
No. Washington's strict liability rule makes an owner responsible even for a first bite, so a dog's clean history is not a defense. That is different from many other states. The absence of prior bites does not reduce your right to recover for the injury this dog caused.
Animal control took the dog after it bit me. Does that affect my injury claim?
Not in a way that limits your compensation. Animal control's actions are a separate public safety process from your civil claim for damages. In fact, an official report can help document the attack. You can still pursue payment for your injuries regardless of what happens to the dog.
Talk to a Spokane Dog Bite Attorney
A dog attack can leave wounds that outlast the healing, especially for a child, and you should not have to choose between your recovery and keeping the peace. Our Spokane attorneys handle the insurance side quietly and thoroughly, so you get treatment and fair compensation.
Reach our Spokane team at (509) 374-3111, or toll-free at (833) 782-6387. We represent dog bite victims across Washington, and your first conversation is free.