If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Bellevue, you’re likely feeling shaken, hurt, and unsure of what comes next. Medical bills may be piling up. You might be missing work. And if the injury happened to your child, the emotional trauma can be especially hard to process.
Dog bites are physically and emotionally painful. At The Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we understand what you're going through, and we're here to help you recover what you've lost.
A trusted Bellevue dog bite lawyer with Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers will provide compassionate, personalized legal support to those injured by dangerous dogs. Attorney Chong H. Ye knows how intimidating the legal system can feel, especially if English isn’t your first language.
Raised in a local immigrant community and fluent in Korean and Spanish, Chong Ye has helped clients from all backgrounds and walks of life obtain medical treatment, hold dog owners accountable, and secure the compensation they deserve.
Key Takeaways
- Washington law holds dog owners strictly liable for bites, regardless of a dog’s past behavior.
- You can recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, and other damages resulting from a dog bite injury.
- Multiple parties may be liable for a dog bite, including caretakers, landlords, and business owners.
- Children are especially vulnerable, and their dog bite cases require special considerations as well as extra care and sensitivity.
- Chong H. Ye brings compassion and clarity to all cases, offering multilingual support, understanding, and dedication to his clients’ needs.
Why Choose Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers for Your Bellevue Dog Bite Case?
When you’re recovering from a dog bite, you need more than just legal help; you need someone who truly cares. At The Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you’ll find a rare combination of legal skill, compassion, and personal commitment. Here’s why injured clients in Bellevue trust us with their recovery:
- Personal experience, personal care – Chong H. Ye founded this firm after his own parents were hurt and treated unfairly by the legal system. His commitment to clients is deeply personal.
- Multilingual support – We proudly offer services in English, Korean, and Spanish, helping bridge language gaps that too often prevent victims from getting justice.
- Local knowledge – As a Tacoma native, Chong understands the Puget Sound region and how local courts handle personal injury claims.
- Results that matter – Chong has recovered millions for injured victims, including serious injury and wrongful death cases.
- Contingency-based fees – You won’t pay anything for your services unless we win your case.
- Faith-driven service – Chong’s background as a pastor influences his deep empathy and commitment to treating every client with respect and dignity.
You are never just a case file here. Our Bellevue personal injury lawyers treat every client as we would a member of our own family. When we take on your case, your fight becomes our own.
How Common Are Dog Bite Injuries?
Dog ownership is a beloved part of life for many families in Bellevue and throughout Washington. But even the most familiar dog can bite when provoked—or even unprovoked. Unfortunately, dog bites are more common than many people realize.
Each year in the U.S., about 4.5 million people suffer dog bites. Of those, roughly 800,000 require medical attention, and about 12,500 are hospitalized. Tragically, around 30 to 50 people die each year as a result of severe dog attacks.
Children are particularly vulnerable. In fact, dog bites are among the top reasons kids end up in the emergency room. Most of these bites come from familiar dogs—often pets belonging to neighbors, friends, or even family members.
In Washington, the law holds dog owners strictly liable in most cases where their pet causes injury. But proving your case and recovering compensation still requires skilled legal guidance.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause far more than just surface wounds. Depending on the size and breed of the dog, as well as the location of the bite, victims may suffer lasting physical and emotional damage.
Some of the most common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations and torn skin
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Muscle and tissue damage
- Infections, including rabies and MRSA
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Facial injuries, especially in children
- Loss of fingers, toes, or other extremities
- Psychological trauma, such as PTSD or anxiety
- Damage to tendons or joints
These injuries often require extensive treatment, including stitches, reconstructive surgery, antibiotics, and mental health counseling. Our firm works closely with medical providers to fully document your injuries so we can demand appropriate compensation on your behalf.
Children and Dog Bites
Children make up more than half of all dog bite victims, with kids between the ages of five and nine at the highest risk. Their smaller size makes it easier for dogs to reach their face and neck, often leading to more severe injuries than adults might experience.
Many bites happen during play or when a child unknowingly invades a dog’s space—situations that escalate quickly and unexpectedly.
Beyond physical harm, the trauma of a dog attack can stay with a child for years. Nightmares, anxiety, and a fear of animals often follow these events. At Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we take these cases very seriously. We work to ensure your child receives not just medical care, but the emotional support and legal protection they need during this difficult time.
What Are the Six Levels of Dog Bites?
Veterinarian Dr. Ian Dunbar created a widely accepted system to categorize the severity of dog bites, which can help clarify what happened in your case:
Level 1: Threatening behavior without contact
The dog may exhibit aggressive warning behaviors like growling, baring teeth, snapping, or lunging without touching the person. This level serves as a clear indicator of discomfort or fear, and although no injury occurs, it signals the potential for escalation if the dog feels more threatened.
Level 2: Tooth contact without puncture
The dog makes contact with its teeth, but the skin remains unbroken. These bites may result in light bruising or red marks and often reflect a dog’s attempt to warn without causing injury.
Level 3: One to four shallow punctures
The dog’s bite pierces the skin in one to four spots, but each puncture is relatively shallow. This level may also include surface tears or scratches if the dog moves its head during the bite.
Level 4: Deep punctures with bruising
The dog delivers one or more deep bites, usually causing significant bruising or tissue damage due to holding or shaking. These injuries can involve tearing of skin, muscles, or underlying structures and often require medical intervention.
Level 5: Multiple serious bites
The dog inflicts multiple deep bites in one attack, potentially on different parts of the body or on more than one person. This level suggests the dog is dangerously out of control, presenting a severe threat to public safety.
Level 6: Fatality
This level is the most severe and involves a dog bite or attack that directly leads to the victim’s death. These rare but tragic cases often involve extreme aggression, powerful breeds, or prolonged attacks, and they raise urgent concerns about public safety and potential criminal liability for the dog’s owner.
This framework provides a shared language for trainers, animal behaviorists, and other professionals to assess the behavioral severity of a dog bite incident. Though not a legal or clinical guideline, it helps describe the nature of a dog’s actions and the potential threat level in future encounters.
What Laws in Washington Affect My Dog Bite Claim?
Washington is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. Under RCW 16.08.040, a dog owner is legally responsible if their dog bites someone, regardless of whether the dog has shown aggression in the past or if the owner had any prior knowledge of such behavior.
This means that you are likely entitled to compensation as long as:
- You were bitten in a public place or legally on private property
- You did not provoke the dog
There is no “one free bite” rule in Washington. Owners cannot avoid responsibility by claiming the dog had never acted aggressively before. However, if you were trespassing or provoking the animal, that could affect your claim. We'll explain more about those defenses shortly.
Bellevue follows King County’s animal control ordinances, which outline specific rules for owners of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs. These include requirements for secure enclosures, muzzling in public, signage, and liability insurance. These provisions are designed to protect the public and may significantly impact a dog owner's liability in bite injury claims. You can view these regulations on the King County Dangerous Animals page.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bellevue Dog Bite Case?
Several parties could be held legally and financially responsible for your injuries, depending on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include:
- The dog owner – The primary person responsible under Washington law.
- A property owner – If the bite occurred on their premises and they knowingly allowed a dangerous dog.
- A landlord – In rare cases, if they had control over the premises and knew about the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
- A dog walker or caretaker – If negligence during their supervision contributed to the incident.
- A business owner – If the bite occurred on commercial property, such as a pet-friendly store or grooming facility.
Chong Ye will thoroughly investigate your case to identify all sources of liability, ensuring no avenue for recovery is overlooked.
Other Factors That May Affect Liability
Even in strict liability states like Washington, insurance companies and defense attorneys may attempt to reduce or avoid liability using various arguments. These defenses don’t always reflect the full picture of what happened, but they are often used to shift blame or cast doubt on the victim’s account.
Trespassing
To avoid liability, the opposing party may claim that the victim was unlawfully on the property at the time of the incident. However, this defense does not always apply and must be evaluated in the context of Washington law.
Provocation
Dog owners or their insurers might allege that the victim provoked the dog, even if no intentional action occurred. Our team examines the facts closely to refute these claims and establish what really happened.
Criminal activity
Our job is to challenge these defenses, present a clear and factual account of the incident, and protect your right to full compensation. These can impact your ability to recover compensation or reduce the damages awarded:
What Compensation Is Available for Dog Bite Victims?
Dog bite victims in Bellevue may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages for the full extent of their injuries. These may include:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, medication)
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost income and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage (such as torn clothing or broken devices)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the dog bite results in permanent injury or affects a child’s development, those losses can and should be reflected in your compensation.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Bellevue Dog Bite Claim?
Handling a dog bite claim on your own can be incredibly difficult, especially when insurance companies are involved. A skilled attorney can handle everything for you while you recover. At Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we:
- Evaluate your case and determine fault
- Gather evidence, including photos, witness statements, and medical records
- Identify all liable parties
- Document the full scope of your damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Handle all legal filings and communications
- Represent you in court if necessary
- Communicate with animal control or law enforcement
- Ensure you meet all legal deadlines
Chong H. Ye takes a hands-on approach to every case and will be your direct point of contact throughout your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I pursue a dog bite claim, what will happen to the dog?
It’s right to pursue compensation for your dog bite injuries, but many people worry about what will happen to the dog. Filing a dog bite claim does not automatically result in the dog being euthanized or removed from its owner.
Depending on the circumstances and local animal control evaluations, the dog could be labeled as "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous," which may result in specific requirements for the owner, such as containment, muzzling, or insurance. The final decision lies with animal control, not the victim or their attorney.
What is the deadline for filing a dog bite claim in Washington?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington. However, the sooner you act, the better your chances of preserving crucial evidence and building a strong case.
What if I was partially at fault?
Washington follows a comparative fault system. If you were partly responsible (e.g., provoking the dog), your compensation may be reduced, but you can still recover damages. Every case is unique, and we’ll work to show that your share of fault was minimal or unfounded.
What does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer?
At Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. This arrangement allows you to get high-quality legal representation without any financial risk.
Are leash laws relevant in my case?
Yes. Bellevue and King County require dogs to be leashed in public. If a dog was off-leash when it bit you, that could strengthen your claim. Violations of local leash ordinances can help establish negligence on the part of the dog’s owner.
Contact the Bellevue Dog Bite Lawyer at Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers Today
Dogs are beloved members of the family in the majority of U.S. households. More than 65.1 U.S. homes have at least one dog. Unfortunately, many dog owners are irresponsible, especially when they fail to ensure that their potentially dangerous dog cannot harm others.
Dog bites can leave you with deep physical wounds, emotional scars, and a long road to recovery. You shouldn’t have to fight for justice on your own or worry about how you’ll afford legal help. That’s where Ye Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help.
As your Bellevue dog bite attorney, Chong H. Ye is committed to giving you the individualized care, fierce advocacy, and peace of mind you deserve. You’ll never be treated like just another case. You’ll be treated like family. Contact us today at (425) 322-0577 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you move forward with confidence.