Were you or your child injured or bitten by a dog in Portland, Oregon? If so, you may be able to hold the dog owner financially accountable for your medical bills, and other losses.
A Portland dog bite lawyer at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers will help you pursue the maximum compensation available in your case, call (503) 773-3333.
We have nearly two decades of experience handling insurance and personal injury matters, including medical malpractice, Portland brain injury cases, construction accidents, slip and fall cases, Portland truck accidents, and in that time, we’ve recovered millions for our clients throughout Oregon.
Our success has been acknowledged by prominent legal entities like Justia and Super Lawyers. Let us take on your legal battle and fight for a favorable outcome for you.
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss the details of the dog attack and your potential options. Contact us to learn more about our legal services.
How Can Tillmann Law Help After a Dog Attack in Portland, OR?
Oregon dog bite cases can be difficult to prove. State laws regarding dog attacks are complex, and you need evidence to prove your claim.
It’s recommended to enlist the help of an experienced Portland personal injury lawyer to get full and fair compensation after a dog bite in Portland, OR. Tillmann Law is well-equipped to take on your case and fight for financial justice.
We know how to communicate effectively with insurance companies and ensure that they don’t take advantage of our clients. Hiring our Portland dog bite attorneys means you’ll have someone on your side to:
- Investigate the dog attack and determine whether strict liability and/or negligence applies in your case
- Determine whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior
- Gather information and evidence proving every element of your case, including the value of your damages
- Negotiate with insurance providers, dog owners, and others on your behalf
- Represent you in court in Multnomah County if we fail to secure a fair out-of-court settlement
Even if you’re a dog lover, you shouldn’t have to foot the bill for injuries caused by another person’s canine. Schedule a free consultation by reaching out to our Portland law firm today.
Oregon’s Dog Bite Laws – Who Is Liable for Dog Bite Injuries?
In Oregon, a dog owner can be held accountable for injuries caused by their dog under theories of strict liability and/or negligence. You may be entitled to compensation from the dog owner’s homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or by filing a personal injury claim. If the dog was in another party’s control or possession (a “keeper”), such as a pet sitter, they might be liable for your injuries. In some instances, a landlord may share liability if they knew of the dog’s propensity for aggression.
The Dog Has a History of Aggression: “Potentially Dangerous Dog”
Oregon law holds dog owners and keepers strictly liable for a victim’s economic damages stemming from a dog-related injury if a court has deemed the dog “potentially dangerous” in the past. A potentially dangerous dog is one that, without provocation:
- Menaces a person (e.g., growls, lunges at, snarls, or exhibits other aggressive behavior)
- Inflicts an injury on someone that’s less severe than a “serious physical injury” (a serious physical injury is one that creates a significant risk of death or long-term disfigurement or impairment)
- Injures or kills a domestic animal
If an owner knows that their dog has aggressive tendencies, they’ll be strictly liable for any subsequent injuries or damage caused by the animal. This is Oregon’s equivalent to a “one-bite rule,” but a prior bite isn’t required to hold the owner liable. The dog’s owner or keeper can raise defenses under this statute. They can say you assaulted them, provoked the dog, or were trespassing.
The Dog Has No History of Aggression
Oregon law also allows a victim to recover economic damages resulting from injuries caused by a dog if the owner was unaware of the animal’s aggression. Under this statute, you don’t have to prove that the dog owner could foresee that the dog would injure you. Additionally, the dog owner cannot raise a defense that they didn’t know the dog would cause an injury.
Dog Owner Negligence
A dog attack victim may also have a claim against the owner based on negligence. For example, if the owner violated a local leash law or allowed their dog to run at large (i.e., unconfined or out of the owner’s control), you may be able to prove negligence. If you can do this, you’ll be entitled to non-economic damages on top of the economic damages allowed in a strict liability claim.
What Do I Have To Prove To Recover Compensation for My Portland Dog Bite Injuries?
The elements of your Portland dog bite case will depend on the circumstances of how you were bitten and whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. If strict liability applies in your case, you need to prove that the defendant (dog owner or keeper) owned or was otherwise responsible for the dog, and the dog caused your injuries.
Strict liability means that the owner is liable even if they exercised utmost caution in controlling their dog. If you file a negligence claim against the dog owner, you must prove the following elements:
- The dog owner owed you a duty of care. This element is typically easy to prove: dog owners must ensure that their animal is restrained and controlled to prevent harm to others. However, property owners usually don’t owe a duty of care to trespassers.
- The dog owner breached their duty of care (for example, they allowed the dog to roam off-leash).
- The dog owner’s breach of duty directly led to the dog’s attack or bite.
- You sustained damages (e.g., injuries) as a result.
We’ll evaluate which legal theories apply to your case and gather evidence proving every element.
What Is the Value of My Portland Dog Bite Case?
Every dog bite victim is unique and presents different types of injuries. For example, a dog attack on a child may cause more serious damage than an attack on an adult. Accordingly, many factors could impact the value of your Portland dog bite case, including:
- The severity of the injuries caused by the dog
- How the injuries affect your quality of life
- Whether you’ve sustained permanent scarring, disfigurement, or impairment
- The cost of your medical treatment and other expenses
- Whether you missed work due to the injuries
- Whether you share fault for causing the dog attack
Once we learn more about your dog bite injuries and how the attack happened, we’ll be able to give you a better idea of what your case may be worth.
What Compensation Is Available To Dog Bite Victims in Portland?
In Oregon, you can recover damages from any injury caused by a dog – not just a bite. For example, if the animal knocked you down, you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries you suffered as a result.
Some Oregon dog bite cases may only allow a victim to recover economic damages, which are monetary in nature and could include:
- Past medical expenses, such as hospital and doctor’s visits, wound treatment, and medications
- Future healthcare costs, such as ongoing treatment or pain management
- Lost wages and employment benefits
- Diminished earning potential
- Out-of-pocket costs
If you’re able to seek non-economic damages, you can recover compensation for:
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Reduced enjoyment or quality of life
- PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression
We’ll help you identify the losses you suffered due to the dog attack. Then, we’ll help you pursue every dollar you’re entitled to under Oregon law.
Common Injuries Sustained After Dog Attacks
Children are often the most vulnerable to dog attacks because they may not respect the animal’s boundaries or understand that they can become irritated. A child is more likely to sustain severe injuries if bitten or attacked by a dog. A dog attack can cause an array of injuries, including but not limited to:
- Cuts, lacerations, bruises, and puncture wounds
- Fractured and broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains
- Lost limbs and amputations
- Infections
- Brain injuries
- Internal injuries
No matter what types of injuries you or your child suffered or their severity, we’ll help you prove your case and seek compensation to cover your expenses.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Blamed for My Oregon Dog Bite Injuries?
A common defense asserted in dog bite cases is that the victim provoked the animal. However, the defendant must have proof to back up this allegation. If you’re being blamed for the dog attack, it’s crucial to contact a Portland personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
If the defendant is successful, you may receive less compensation than you deserve – or nothing at all. Oregon implements a modified comparative negligence law that bars you from recovering compensation if you share more than 50% fault.
If you’re 50% or less responsible for the dog bite injuries, you’re entitled to damages, but they’ll be reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if you’re allocated 40% fault, you’ll take home 60% of the awarded compensation. If you’re assigned 51% blame, you’ll get nothing.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Oregon?
Under Oregon’s statute of limitations, you’ll typically have two years from the dog attack to pursue a personal injury claim. If the dog attack was fatal, you’ll have three years to file a wrongful death claim.
Exceptions may exist, so you should consult an experienced dog bite attorney in Portland as quickly as possible. If you miss the statutory deadline, you’ll be unable to hold the dog owner accountable for your injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Portland Dog Bite Lawyer
Were you injured by a dog in Portland, OR? Whether the animal bit you, attacked you, or knocked you over, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
A Portland dog bite lawyer at Tillmann Law will help you prove your case and get the maximum financial recovery possible. Call our Portland, OR Law Office today for a free case assessment to discuss the animal attack and your potential legal options.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Portland, OR
Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905 Portland, OR.
(503) 773-3333
Hours: Open 24/7
Our personal injury law firm in Portland, OR also provides:
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- Slip and Fall Attorneys in Portland, OR
- Wrongful Death Lawyer in Portland, OR
- Construction Accident Lawyers in Portland, OR
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- Dog Bite Attorneys in Portland, OR
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Portland Dog Bites Blog Posts
Additional Portland Dog Bites Resources
- Official Website of the City of Portland, Oregon
- Dog Bite Prevention
- Dog Bites – National Library of Medicine
- Dog Bites: How to Prevent or Treat Them
Portland, OR Emergency Rooms
- OHSU and Doernbecher Emergency Room – 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239
- Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Emergency Room – 801 N Gantenbein Ave, Portland, OR 97227
- Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center – 1015 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
