Are there any laws to protect victims of dog bites?
Yes, there are laws in place to protect victims of dog bites in Washington. According to the Washington State Legislature, dog owners who fail to keep their pet under control or fail to prevent it from biting an individual are liable for any damages incurred. This includes medical costs, lost wages due to the injury, and pain and suffering. Generally, the owner is liable regardless of whether or not they knew the dog had a tendency to bite. In addition, in certain cases the local government may be liable for a dog bite if the incident occurred on public property and the government failed to properly maintain the property or warn of potential danger. In this case, the victim would be able to file a claim against the local government. Finally, Washington has a statute of limitations when it comes to bringing a lawsuit in regards to a dog bite. Victims must bring any legal action within three years of the date of the attack or else they may be barred from recovering any damages. Overall, victims of dog bites in Washington can find solace in knowing there are legal remedies to help protect and compensate them for the damages they suffered. It is important to remember that in certain cases a victim may have only a limited time to bring a claim so it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
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