A dog owner cannot shrug off a bite by saying their dog had never bitten anyone before. Under RCW 16.08.040, ownership alone establishes liability the moment a bite occurs in a public place or on private property where the victim had a right to be.
What follows is how the law actually works, where cases succeed, where they get complicated, and what to know before accepting an early settlement offer.
A dog with a spotless history carries the same legal exposure as a known aggressive animal. Strict liability reaches public streets, sidewalks, parks and trails, private property where you had permission to be, and dog-friendly businesses.
Read the full section →Homeowners policies carry $100,000 to $500,000. Renters policies often hide animal sub-limits at $10,000. A MedPay offer that covers the emergency room bill can quietly release every future claim.
Read the full section →To file suit in Washington. For a child, the clock does not start until their 18th birthday.
Washington sets no statutory ceiling on pain, suffering or disfigurement damages.
Owed unless we win. The consultation is free and J.D. Smith takes it himself.
Scarring, scar revision timing, and a filing clock that does not start until 18.
Child injury claims →Amazon, DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers bitten at the door or on the walk-up.
Delivery driver claims →No bite, still a case. Leash-law violations can support a negligence claim.
Non-bite injuries →Breweries, taprooms and patios that invite dogs carry general liability exposure.
Premises claims →Rover and Wag gig workers: the owner stays strictly liable regardless.
Gig worker attacks →Landlord liability needs actual knowledge. A harder road, but available.
Landlord claims →To file suit in Washington. For a child, the clock does not start until their 18th birthday.
Washington sets no statutory ceiling on pain, suffering or disfigurement damages.
Owed unless we win. The consultation is free and J.D. Smith takes it himself.
Describe it in your own words. The legal framework comes next.
From the first call through litigation, clients work with a small team that understands the details of the claim and stays involved as the case moves forward.
J.D. Smith brings more than two decades of experience helping injured people recover after serious accidents. Before representing injury victims, he worked as an insurance claims adjuster, underwriter, and defense attorney, giving him a practical understanding of how insurance companies evaluate, delay, and defend claims.
As founder of the Law Office of J.D. Smith, he has represented individuals and families facing life-changing injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and wrongful death. He is licensed in Washington, recognized by Super Lawyers®, and holds a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo.
Tonja Smith, M.A. serves as the firm's Office Manager, Intake Specialist, and Pre-Litigation Paralegal, bringing extensive experience in legal support, case intake, litigation administration, and client communication.
Her background includes years of work in the legal and mortgage banking fields, and senior paralegal roles where she supervised and trained legal staff and managed confidential information. She holds a Master's degree in Organizational Management and Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies with a Paralegal Certification.
Jocelyn Gil is a paralegal with more than a decade of experience in tort litigation. She assists with every stage of a case, from gathering records and organizing evidence to supporting attorneys as a claim moves toward resolution.
She is known for providing attentive, compassionate guidance to clients during what can be a difficult and unfamiliar time, and takes pride in being someone clients can rely on for patience, clarity, and consistent support.
Clients across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, from first call through settlement or trial.
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