Why You May Need a Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs and other pets are meant to provide companionship to their owners. While dogs are generally gentle and heartwarming, they can display aggressive and harmful behavior. If a dog feels scared or threatened or lacks sufficient training, it might bite you as a form of self-defense. If you experience such an unfortunate incident, it’s important to seek legal assistance. Contact our experienced Dog Bite Attorney today to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
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Dog Bite Attorney in Portland, Oregon
Dog bites are mostly fatal and can result in serious injuries and infection. If you have had a dog bite, we advise you to seek medical attention immediately. You’ll need medical attention after a bite, naturally. But you’ll also need a Portland dog bite lawyer. They’ll help you gather evidence, build a case, and make your claim successfully for compensation. Without a proven and experienced dog bite attorney in Portland, all that is much harder. Call us now to schedule a free consultation and get the legal support you need.
Portland Dog Bite Lawyers Committed to Protecting Your Rights
Fighting for your rights, all the way, our Portland dog bite lawyer team is what’s needed to support your claim.
We’ll provide legal advice.
We’ll answer your questions.
We’ll calm the fears and worries that plague you.
And we’ll battle hard to help you get the maximum amount of money and the most positive result. So contact our skilled personal injury attorneys today.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
When you are attacked by a dog, you can suffer different kinds of injuries. The severity of the injury varies. Dog bites can be so severe that they cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, or nerve damage that makes it difficult for you to operate. Some of the most common dog bite injuries in Portland include
- Nerve damage
- Facial disfigurement and scarring
- Eye injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputation of fingers and nose
- Severe dog-related infections like rabies
- Fractured or broken bones from falling due to a dog bite
At Portland Legal Group, we have committed dog bite injury attorneys ready to discuss the details of your case. We will help you seek justice and hold the dog owner responsible for your injuries. When you get in touch with an experienced animal attack lawyer at Portland Legal Group for a free consultation, we can help you distinguish between the different non-economic and economic damages you might pursue in your claim. Our attorneys have handled many similar cases and are ready to help you get justice.
What To Do If You’re Bitten By a Dog in Portland
It’s frightening and dramatic to get bitten by a dog. Panic is the natural response. Many people are so frightened, they make mistakes or forget the right thing to do. So, here’s what steps to follow if and when you’ve had a bite.
- First, seek medical attention. This is the golden rule for injuries of all sorts. You’ve got to get yourself looked at by a real medical professional. Visit your doctor or head to the hospital. There, you can be diagnosed and inspected, and the extent of your injuries will reveal themselves. It’s not enough to simply make your own “judgment call” in situations like this, as you might not spot signs of infection or deep tissue damage.
- Second, gather evidence. You’ll need as much of it as you can. Get photos, get videos, get your medical records, get witness statements and whatever else to support your case. Every evidence piece helps to paint the picture of how and why the bite happened. And that’s all crucial for your dog bite lawsuit case.
- Contact the police, also. Make a report about the incident with them. Explain to the officer on duty – tell them what happened, who owns the dog (if you know) and where and how it bit you. They can then note all that info down in their official report. And you can get a copy of that report later on. It’s a great supplementary evidence item that your dog bite lawyer in Portland will no doubt appreciate.
- Finally, start looking for dog bite lawyers near you. Find a trusted Portland dog bite injury lawyer you can speak to and hire to take on your case. The best personal injury lawyers in Portland offer free consultations. In those, you can ask questions and learn about how the case may progress. And the best lawyers should also have experience in handling and winning cases like yours.
Oregon Laws on Dangerous Dogs
According to Oregon law, a dangerous dog is that which, on two separate occasions within one and a half years, without provocation, has behaved aggressively. The aggressive behavior must be to an extent that an adult or any reasonable person is forced to defend themselves against injuries.
The Oregon public safety law states that if a person sustains substantial bodily harm from a dog attack, the dog keeper or owner is guilty of category D felony. Remember that the dog may not be declared dangerous if its attack is a defensive act against a person attempting to commit a crime. Similarly, the dog is not dangerous if provoked by a person and ends up harming them.
Who Is Responsible for the Dog Bite Injury?
The state of Oregon holds the dog owner responsible for their negligence if it causes a dog bite injury. Dog owners are also held accountable if the dog causes injuries by frightening, tripping, or knocking down the victim. A person that harbors or possesses a domestic animal that he doesn’t know is abnormally dangerous, is subject to liability for any damage done by the animal. It doesn’t matter if the dog owner intentionally causes the dog to harm others or is negligent in failing to prevent the harm. Any injuries suffered in a dog bite should be compensated for by the dog owner according to Oregon laws.
A dog owner is expected to know that their pet has the potential to cause damage to other humans because they behave aggressively from time to time. The owner is responsible for taking precautionary action to ensure that aggressive behavior is prevented through training. Any time a dog owner notices harmful behavior from their dog, they should take the necessary steps to stop it. This is why they are responsible for any dog bite injuries sustained.
Potential Damages That Can Be Recovered
Many potential damages can be recovered after a dog bite with the help of a dog bite attorney in Portland.
You may be able to claim your medical bills for all the treatment of your wounds, as well as other damages for the mental and emotional turmoil suffered as a result of the bite, plus loss of income, rehabilitation costs, etc.
Amounts can range from $10,000 to hundreds of thousands.
So, even though it can be costly and time-consuming to go through a dog bite case, and you may worry about how much does lawyer cost and how much will it cost before you get your compensation, it’s almost always worth hiring a trusted lawyer.
Free Consultation With an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer in Portland
If you have suffered dog bite injuries, call Portland Legal Group today to speak to an experienced dog bite injury attorney. Our dedicated team of attorneys will help determine the circumstances of your claim and will do everything to ensure you are compensated for damages. We have the best team of attorneys Portland has to offer!
FAQs
Why Do I Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?
If you or your loved one was bitten by a dog, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any injuries, medical costs, or pain you have incurred due to the incident. A Portland dog bite injury attorney will help you file a claim and convince the jury to rule in your favor. An attorney will also ensure you get fair compensation.
Can a Dog Owner Be Held Liable for the Bite?
The dog’s owner is responsible for a bite according to Oregon laws. A dog owner faces civil liability if their dog bites another person without any provocation from the person. Any injuries resulting from the incident are the owner’s responsibility.
What Evidence Is Important in Dog Bite Cases?
In Oregon, you must produce sufficient evidence when filing a dog bite claim. Important evidence includes a police report, pictures of dog bite injuries, and written facts regarding the incident. The facts could be detailed notes on what happened, the dog’s breed, owner’s name, among other details.
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Claim in Oregon?
In Oregon, a dog bite falls under the category of personal injury lawsuits. This means that the statute of limitations in Oregon for dog bite claims is two years. From the day of the injury, a person has two years to file a dog bite lawsuit.
Does Renters or Homeowners Insurance Protect Against Dog Bite Injuries in Oregon?
Renter’s and homeowner’s insurance policies cover liability that results from the holder’s carelessness. This includes cases where the dog bites another person and any lawsuit that might follow.