Dog Bite Lawyer

Experienced Spokane, WA Dog Bite Attorney

Injured by a Dog? Free Consultation

At Fannin Litigation Group, we understand that dog bite cases involve more than just medical bills and lost wages. These attacks often create lasting fear, anxiety, and changes in how victims interact with the world around them. Our experienced dog bite attorney and team have successfully represented hundreds of attack victims, securing millions in compensation while holding negligent pet owners accountable for their animals’ actions.

Dog bite cases require understanding of animal behavior, premises liability law, insurance coverage issues, and the unique medical challenges these injuries present. Our legal team has the experience and compassion necessary to guide you through this difficult process. Call (509) 328-8204 for your free consultation today.

Understanding Dog Bite Injuries and Their Impact

Dog attacks can cause severe physical injuries that often require extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. The psychological impact of these attacks can be equally devastating, particularly for children who may develop lasting fears and anxiety disorders.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries:

• Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
• Hand injury, and hand crush injuries sometimes leading to permanent loss of strength, mobility, use and function of a hand.
• Facial injuries requiring reconstructive surgery
• Nerve damage and loss of sensation
• Muscle and tendon damage
• Bone fractures from powerful jaw pressure
• Infections requiring antibiotic treatment
• Rabies exposure requiring immediate vaccination
• Scarring and permanent disfigurement
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and fear of animals.

Dogs’ teeth are designed to tear and puncture, creating wounds that are deeper and more irregular than cuts from sharp objects. The crushing force of a large dog’s jaw can break bones and cause extensive tissue damage. Additionally, dogs’ mouths contain numerous bacteria that can cause serious infections, even in wounds that initially appear minor.

Beyond physical injuries, dog attacks often create lasting psychological trauma. Victims may develop cynophobia (fear of dogs), anxiety disorders, depression, and sleep disturbances. Children are particularly vulnerable to these psychological effects, which can impact their social development and quality of life for years after the physical wounds have healed.

The combination of severe physical injuries and psychological trauma makes dog bite cases unique in personal injury law. Recovery often involves not just medical treatment for physical wounds, but also psychological counseling and therapy to address the emotional impact of the attack and in cases where neurological damage occurs, families may also need guidance from a brain injury lawyer.

Dog Bite Laws and Owner Liability

Dog bite laws vary significantly from state to state, but most jurisdictions hold dog owners strictly liable for injuries their animals cause, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Understanding these laws is crucial to pursuing successful claims, especially in tragic cases where a family may need the guidance of a wrongful death lawyer.

Strict Liability States 

Many states have strict liability laws for dog bites, meaning owners are automatically responsible for injuries their dogs cause, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and the owner had no reason to believe the animal was dangerous. These laws make it easier for victims to recover compensation because they don’t need to prove the owner was negligent.

One Bite Rule States 

Some states follow the traditional “one bite rule,” which requires proving that the owner knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. Evidence of the dog’s dangerous propensities might include previous bites, aggressive behavior, training as a guard dog, or the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s violent tendencies.

Negligence-Based Liability 

Even in strict liability states, dog owners can also be held liable under negligence theories if they failed to properly control their animal or violated leash laws or other local ordinances designed to protect public safety a concept that often overlaps with comparative negligence in personal injury cases.

Premises Liability 

Property owners who allow dangerous dogs on their premises may also be liable for attacks that occur on their property, even if they don’t own the dog. This can include landlords who allow tenants to keep dangerous dogs despite lease restrictions.

Statutory Violations 

Many municipalities have specific laws regarding dog ownership, including leash requirements, vaccination mandates, and restrictions on certain breeds. Violations of these laws can provide additional grounds for liability and may support claims for punitive damages.

Understanding which laws apply to your specific case and how to prove liability under those laws requires experienced legal representation. Insurance companies often try to use victims’ unfamiliarity with these complex laws to minimize settlements or deny claims entirely.

Insurance Coverage for Dog Bite Claims

Most dog bite claims are covered under homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies, but coverage issues can be complex and insurance companies often try to deny or minimize claims through various tactics.

• Homeowners Insurance Coverage: Standard homeowners insurance policies typically include liability coverage for dog bites, with coverage limits ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 or more. However, some insurance companies exclude certain breeds or impose restrictions after previous claims.
• Renters Insurance: Renters insurance policies often include personal liability coverage that applies to dog bite incidents, even though the policyholder doesn’t own the property where the attack occurred.
• Breed Restrictions and Exclusions: Many insurance companies exclude coverage for certain dog breeds considered high-risk, such as pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. Some companies impose these exclusions after claims rather than before coverage begins.
• Previous Bite History: Insurance companies may deny coverage if the dog has a history of biting, arguing that the owner knew the animal was dangerous. However, strict liability laws in many states make this irrelevant to the victim’s right to compensation.
• Policy Limits and Umbrella Coverage: When injuries are severe, basic homeowners insurance limits may be insufficient to fully compensate victims. We investigate whether additional umbrella policies or other coverage sources are available to maximize recovery.
• Bad Faith Insurance Practices: Insurance companies sometimes engage in bad faith practices by unreasonably denying valid claims, delaying investigations, or refusing to settle within policy limits. When this occurs, we can pursue additional damages against the insurance company itself.

ATTORNEY PATRICK K. FANNIN

Patrick K. Fannin brings a unique combination of legal excellence, practical business experience, and genuine community connection to every case he handles. As the owner of Fannin Litigation Group, he has built a reputation for aggressive advocacy and superior results in complex personal injury matters throughout Washington State and beyond. [ATTORNEY BIO]