All dog owners have a legal obligation to keep their animals from harming other people. In the state of Oregon, a dog’s owner can be held liable for any losses that arise from their pet’s unchecked aggression. An Oregon dog bite lawyer can provide legal aid if you or a loved one has suffered losses due to a dog bite.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not shy away from even the toughest of cases. Our personal injury team can investigate your situation, identify all possible avenues of recovering compensation, and apply Oregon’s dog bite laws to your situation. Additionally, we offer our help on a contingency-fee-basis. If we do not win your case, then you do not owe us our attorney’s fees. To get started, dial (800) 816-0755.
Types of Injuries Arising from a Dog Bite
Rabies is one of the biggest concerns that can arise from a dog bite. If you have not already sought medical attention for your condition, you should consider doing so immediately. Healthline reports that one out of every five dog bites requires immediate medical attention.
Some health complications that can arise from a dog bite incident include:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Torn ligaments
- Broken bones
- Tetanus
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
We encourage you to keep all documents related to your medical treatment. The results of imaging scans, blood tests, and names of medications can demonstrate the severity of your condition. Additionally, they can help your lawyer assign a monetary value to your case.
Liability in a Dog Bite Case
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 433.345 notes that a bite constitutes “a break in the skin.” In most cases, liability for a dog bite rests on the animal’s owner. However, depending on the nature of your situation, there may be other parties responsible for your injury.
Such parties include:
A Company
Suppose you were bit by a dog that was for sale at a pet store. If there were no signs that indicated the dog’s aggression or otherwise told you not to pet the animal, the store may hold financial accountability for the injuries. All businesses must take reasonable precautions to prevent harm from befalling their customers.
A Government Department
You may have been bit by a stray dog that lived in a public place, like a neighborhood. You may be able to argue that had animal control captured the animal, you would not have suffered an injury. Most animal control agencies are controlled by the county, meaning that you could have a case against the overseeing department.
Our law firm can explain what other parties you can hold accountable through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 816-0755
Oregon’s Dog Bite Statute of Limitations
Most personal injury claimants in Oregon have two years to file a lawsuit, per ORS § 12.110. This timeline may be extended based on the age of the injured party. For instance, if the injured party was a child at the time of the dog bite, they may be granted additional time from the date of their eighteenth birthday to file a lawsuit.
You will need to take prompt action to safeguard your legal interests. If the statute of limitations expires on your case, it will be difficult to recover compensation for your expenses. For that reason, we encourage you to give our team a call today. We can explain what legal methods could help you recover compensation for your losses.
Recoverable Losses in an Oregon Dog Bite Case
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our team is committed to helping you recover the cost of your economic and noneconomic losses. We can assign a monetary value to these losses by reviewing the invoices, billing statements, and receipts associated with your case. To resolve your case, we will first enter into negotiations with the liable insurance company.
We will argue that you should receive fair compensation for your losses, including those that do not have a predetermined monetary value. If we cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, then you have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit and going to court.
Some losses that may be available to you include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income, tips, bonuses, and employee benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Disfigurement
- Disability
Your Oregon dog bite lawyer can explain what other losses you may be able to recover.
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Proving Negligence in a Dog Bite Case
Your lawyer will need to prove that your injuries were ultimately caused by negligence. If they are successful in this endeavor, then you may be awarded compensation for your dog bite-related expenses.
Your lawyer must establish:
Duty of Care
Every pet owner has a legal obligation to keep their dog from hurting others. This includes having their dog on a leash or having warning signs on their property.
Breach of Duty of Care
Your lawyer must show that the dog’s owner violated their duty of care. For instance, let’s say that the dog in question was not on a leash in a public place, and it caused your injuries. In this situation, the dog’s owner could be considered negligent because their dog was not on a leash.
Causation
Your lawyer must be able to tie your injuries to the dog owner’s breach of duty of care. They can accomplish this goal by citing your medical records and treatment plan.
Financial Losses
You must have financial losses stemming from the dog bite incident. Your lawyer can use your medical bills and employment records to demonstrate this element.
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An Oregon dog bite lawyer can get started advocating for your right to compensation today. Our goal is to provide legal representation that leaves you with no out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more, dial (800) 816-0755.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form