What if a dog bites me while I am on the owner's property?
If you are bitten by a dog while on the property of its owner in Washington, you must be able to prove that the dog bite was a result of the owner’s negligence. This means that the owner must have failed to take reasonable steps to keep the dog contained, failed to prevent the dog from attacking you, or failed to provide proper warnings about the dog’s potential to be dangerous. Without proof that the owner was negligent, you may not have legal rights to pursue a case against them. Washington has a strict liability dog bite law which states that the owner of a dog is liable for any damage or injuries it causes. This means that if a dog bites someone on its owner’s property, then the owner could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by the bite, regardless of whether or not the owner was negligent. This law applies to injuries and damages caused by a dog bite and does not cover other types of property damage or personal injury caused by the dog. In some cases, the victim of the dog bite may be able to recover damages from the dog’s owner even if the owner was not at fault in any way, such as if the dog had a history of violent behavior or the owner was aware of the dog’s potential to be dangerous but didn’t take action to prevent the attack. If you have been bitten by a dog while on its owner’s property, it is important to seek legal advice. An experienced attorney who is familiar with dog bite law in Washington can help you understand your legal rights and determine if you have a case against the dog’s owner.
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