Parental Immunity in Dog Bite Cases - Washington State Dog Bite Law - Seattle Attorney

One question that arises is whether a child’s parent can be held responsible for injuries inflicted upon the child by the family dog.  The answer is often no.  Washington State recognizes a law called the Parental Immunity Doctrine.  Under this doctrine, a negligent parent is immune from liability for injuries caused to the child unless the parent was acting outside his or her parental capacity, or if the child’s injuries were caused by a parent’s willful and wanton misconduct.  In the case of a family dog injuring a child, the parents will likely be immune from liability under this doctrine.