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Portland Dog Bite Lawyer

Portland Dog Bite Lawyer 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) 272-8986.

We have nearly two decades of experience handling insurance and personal injury matters, and in that time, we’ve recovered millions for our clients throughout Oregon.

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?

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:

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 law office today for a free case assessment to discuss the animal attack and your potential legal options.

Justin Vieth
Justin Vieth
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Shimmeri Selph
Shimmeri Selph
1691385552
Don't waste your time.
Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers
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Thanks Aaron, we truly appreciate everything you have done for us.I know that I was a handful early on, but you handled it with a deft touch and ultimately proved yourself to be a great advocate for our family none the less.Thanks so much Bud!You have my eternal respect and gratitude.
Tim Cheredayko
Tim Cheredayko
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Tillmann helped me out a lot! Going over ever detail with the case from both sides and always informing me what is going to happen through out the case. Definitely recommend Tillmann Law!
A B
A B
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Rude. Classist. The receptionist needs some manners. Actually hung up when told was a low income family.
Justin W
Justin W
1688167505
I had the pleasure of working with Aaron and his team over the course of the last year. They were very professional and responsive. Dealing with injuries can be dreadful, but Aaron made it as painless as possible. I highly recommend.
Bonnie Thorn
Bonnie Thorn
1686939262
Aaron Tillmann and his entire staff were professional, empathetic and very knowledgeable. They assisted our family at a time when we were grieving the loss of our son with compassion and respect.
Tina Rutledge
Tina Rutledge
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Arisbet Bustos
Arisbet Bustos
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I am very grateful and pleased with the services of Lawyer Aaron and his team work, especially Julia, who was always attentive to my concerns and resolved my doubts with a good attitude and empathy, and best of all, she speaks Spanish. Thank you so much!!!
Ken Pollett
Ken Pollett
1682394554
I was involved in a serious auto accident. Not that there is a good time to be in any accident, it just happened to be 2020. Tillman Law and support staff kept me in the loop as the court system was disarray with all the Covid issues. The staff was very professional and courteous. In a nutshell, they took care of me.
Jordan Bedrick
Jordan Bedrick
1682367951
My husband was in a bad car accident a few years back, and he was stopped due to traffic. He was behind a fuel truck, and someone rear-ended him, going 60mph. The worst part was our 6 mo old was in our and the truck was totaled beyond repair and my husbands back injured severly he ended up with 2 broken vertebrae. Our child had ptsd any time getting into a vehicle after that. Tillman made this right even though we couldn't do much for our son other comfort him and make car rides more comfortable from there on out Tillman was able to get my husband the money he deserved after the other driver was extremely negligent and either not paying attention or on his phone or something unfortunately this was during covid and when the police came they didnt do a single thing to check for any of that. We can't say enough good things about Aaron Tillman he gave us our hope back and the ability to have back surgery to repair a lot of his back issues due to the car wreck. So if you have been in an accident definitely call Tillman Law they're amazing super professional, kind and empathetic beings who will work for the best possible outcome for your case and fight they won't just roll over and play dead they spent about 2.5 years on my husbands case never giving up. He was always super honest with my husband and always communicated everything. So again, thank you, Aaron Tillman, and thank you to your law firm for working so tirelessly. We appreciate it more than you know.
Cassie Kocker
Cassie Kocker
1679485024
Aaron is great. He is professional and personable which makes you feel cared about during the process. He will provide advice and resources so that the process is smooth and renders positive results. I highly recommend!
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
1678578656
Still working with them to this day! Great firm great people. Much recommend
Brittany Sloan
Brittany Sloan
1678128693
I can’t recommend Tillman Law enough. We were in a sticky situation from a car accident in December and my partner was out of work for over a month. Aaron told us we may not be able to get those lost wages, but he would definitely try to fight the insurance for them and even then we might not see the money for a long time. It’s only been 3 1/2 months since the accident and we just got our lost funds today. Tillman Law was quick, efficient, and made this entire situation much less painful. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Hazel Ault
Hazel Ault
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Jennifer nelson
Jennifer nelson
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Great experience
Oksana Pavlenko
Oksana Pavlenko
1660939351
Really pleased with my experience at Tillmann Law. Mr. Tillmann and his team were on top of my case, worked hard to answer any questions I had and finished my case in a timely manner. I was really happy with the outcome . Thank you!
Robert Swanson
Robert Swanson
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Tucker Earp
Tucker Earp
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Linette Figueroa
Linette Figueroa
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Mr. Tillman took care of my care seamlessly! He immediately hopped on my case immediately and guided me through the entire process. His team is professional, organized and well-resourced! He even went back to ensure the settlement was beyond fair. If you want someone who will fight tooth and nail on your behalf- Mr. Tillman is your lawyer!
Robert Aley
Robert Aley
1634841379
I am so happy to promote Aaron and his team. They did such an amazing job handling my case. Call them if you need service. I called him when I first needed help with my accident and he called me back within five minutes. This team is so great! I am so happy to have worked with them.
Teresa Ochoa
Teresa Ochoa
1633214433
Mr. Tillmann and his paralegal Jason were fantastic to work with! They were always available to answer my questions in a timely manner and delivered a very good outcome after I was rear ended. I would recommend their services to anyone.
Roro Roro
Roro Roro
1631419364
Amazing team at the Tillman Law, LLC . His work speaks for it self. Thank you for being professional and above all understanding to different people. God bless everyone that works there .
Mercury Nightstone
Mercury Nightstone
1628733283
Aaron and his staff, especially Jason, were all extremely courteous, timely, and professional. Highly recommend, truly appreciate your hard work!
Danielle Martin
Danielle Martin
1627923620
The Tillman Law Firm is amazing! I have been very pleased with everyone that I came in contact with concerning my case. They filed the case against the insurance company and fought hard in litigation to get what rightfully was taken from me. I would highly recommend them, they are the best in the Portland metro area!
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