Portland Dog Bite Attorney

Dedicated Advocates for Dog Bite Victims in Portland and Beyond

According to The Oregonian, dogs bite three people per day in Portland. From 2010 to 2014, Portland witnessed a staggering 4,789 dog bites within the metro area alone. Nationally, the numbers are even more staggering, with dozens of people losing their lives to dog attacks and thousands requiring reconstructive surgery every year.

At Newlin Law Offices, we understand the profound impact a dog bite can have on your life. We are here to stand by you and be your voice, your advocates, and your allies. Dog bite victims deserve justice, support, and compassion. We are committed to providing that support and ensuring that you have the best chance of receiving the compensation you need to heal. 

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle

Our personal injury lawyer, Todd Newlin, handles a wide range of dog bite cases, including:

1. Unprovoked Attacks: Cases where a dog bites a person without any provocation or aggressive behavior from the victim.
2. Child Victims: Cases involving children who have been bitten by dogs, often requiring special care and consideration due to their vulnerability.
3. Multiple Dog Attacks: Situations where a victim is attacked by multiple dogs, which can result in more severe injuries and complex liability issues.
4. Severe Injuries: Cases where the dog bite results in significant injuries, such as deep wounds, fractures, nerve damage, or disfigurement.
5. Infections and Complications: Cases where dog bites lead to infections, complications, or long-term medical issues requiring extensive treatment.
6. Emotional Trauma: Cases involving psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, stemming from the dog attack.
7. Wrongful Death: Tragic cases where a dog bite leads to the death of the victim, allowing legal action to be taken by the surviving family members.
8. Owner Negligence: Cases where the dog owner's negligence, such as failure to leash or control their dog properly, contributes to the attack.

Your pain is personal to us, and we are here to fight for your rights every step of the way.

Common Injuries From Dog Bites

Victims of dog bites can suffer from a wide range of physical and psychological injuries, some of which can have long-lasting effects on their overall well-being. 

Physical Injuries

Uncontrolled and aggressive dogs may act unpredictably, harming unsuspecting people who walk by or attempt to interact with them. Even small dogs can cause significant injuries that require prompt medical care. 

1. Puncture Wounds: Dog bites often result in puncture wounds, which may require sutures or even surgery to repair the damaged tissue.
2. Lacerations: Some bites cause deep cuts or lacerations that can damage muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
3. Infections: The bacteria from a dog's mouth can cause serious infections or even sepsis if bites are not promptly treated.
4. Fractures: In particularly severe attacks, victims may suffer broken bones — especially in the hands, arms, or legs — as they try to fend off the dog.
5. Nerve Damage: Dog bites can damage nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the affected area.
6. Disfigurement: Facial or body disfigurement from dog bite injuries can result in long-term cosmetic and psychological issues.

Being awarded damages from a successful personal injury claim can help you obtain the funds you need to pay for costly medical and rehabilitative care.

Psychological Injuries

Physical injuries are many people’s main concern when it comes to dog bites, but psychological injuries can also significantly reduce a person’s quality of life.

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Dog bite victims, especially children, may develop PTSD, experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
2. Anxiety and Depression: The emotional trauma of a dog bite can lead to persistent anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
3. Phobias: Some victims develop a fear of dogs or even a generalized fear of all animals after a traumatic dog attack.
4. Social Isolation: Scarring or disfigurement can lead to feelings of self-consciousness, causing victims to withdraw from social interactions.
5. Emotional Distress: The emotional toll of a dog bite can be significant, with victims often experiencing fear, anger, and a sense of violation.

It’s crucial for dog bite victims to seek both medical and psychological treatment to address these injuries comprehensively. Additionally, getting treatment generates medical records that can help victims pursue legal remedies for their physical and emotional suffering.

Potential Dog Bite Injury Compensation in Oregon

Dog bite victims in Oregon have the legal right to seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial toll of their injuries. The types of compensation available typically include:

1. Medical Expenses: Victims can seek reimbursement for emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, follow-up care, and rehabilitation.
2. Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be awarded for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the dog bite.
3. Lost Wages: If the victim is unable to work due to their injuries, they may be eligible for compensation for income they lost during their recovery period.
4. Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation can be provided for any permanent physical changes resulting from the dog bite.
5. Property Damage: In cases where personal property is damaged during the attack, such as torn clothing or belongings, victims can seek reimbursement for these losses.
6. Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or malicious intent on the part of the dog owner, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter future misconduct.

In order to maximize compensation, victims should work with an experienced dog bite attorney who can assess the unique circumstances of their case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent their clients in court. 

Victims should never settle for less than what they rightfully deserve in the aftermath of a traumatic dog attack.

Oregon Dog Bite Laws: Understanding Liability

Oregon’s dog bite laws can be complex. Many states used to follow the “one-bite rule,” which meant that owners could only be held liable for dog bites if their dog had bitten someone before. However, there’s no such requirement in Oregon. Instead, dog owners can be held liable if their dog has exhibited dangerous behavior, regardless of prior bites.

Dog bite personal injury claims in Oregon generally fall into three categories, each with unique legal considerations:

Category One: History of Aggression 

When a dog has a documented history of aggression, and the owner is aware of that history, strict liability applies. This means the owner is responsible for injuries without the need to prove negligence. Investigations involve checking for previous dog bite reports, interviews with neighbors, and even warning signs as evidence of prior aggression.

Category Two: Violation of Local Leash Law

In cases where a dog lacks an aggression history but the owner violates a local leash law, negligence can be established. Many counties and cities mandate dogs to be leashed or controlled in public spaces. A dog bite attorney examines local ordinances to determine whether the owner acted illegally.

Category Three: No History of Aggression and No Leash Law Violation 

In instances where the dog has no aggression history and the owner complies with leash laws, strict liability applies only to economic damages caused by the attack, as defined by ORS 31.360. These include medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages, but not non-economic losses like pain and suffering.

If you’ve experienced a significant dog bite injury in Oregon, consult with Todd Newlin, who handles cases across Oregon. We offer free consultations to help you understand your legal options. Call today.

Are There Any Exemptions to Dog Bite Liability?

While Oregon generally follows a strict liability approach in dog bite cases, which means that dog owners are held responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, there are a few exceptions:

Trespassing Exception

If the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time of the attack or was otherwise engaged in criminal activity on the owner’s premises, the dog owner may not be held liable for the victim’s injuries. In such cases, the law may consider the victim’s actions as contributing to the incident, reducing the owner’s liability or eliminating it altogether.

Provocation Exception 

If the victim provoked the dog by engaging in aggressive or abusive behavior that led to the attack, this can be used as a defense by the dog owner. If the owner can demonstrate that the victim’s actions were the primary cause of the attack, it may reduce their liability.

It’s important to note that these exemptions are not absolute, and the specific details of each case can impact how they are applied.

How Our Dog Bite Attorney Can Help

At Newlin Law Offices, our dedicated team is here to provide you with comprehensive support and legal guidance if you’ve been the victim of a dog bite in Portland.

Newlin Law Offices is here to assist you in your dog bite case, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.