Dog Bite Lawyer

You should not have to worry about getting injured due to a dog bite. However, dog bite incidents are more common than most people realize. When these injuries occur, victims must be able to secure compensation for their losses. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, we are ready to help. Our Oregon dog bite injury attorneys will investigate your case and secure any compensation you may be entitled to.

Dog bites are not uncommon

Dogs are arguably the most popular pet in US households, which is why it should not be surprising that as many as 4.5 million dog bite incidents occur each year in this country. While not all of these incidents lead to serious injuries, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that approximately 20% (around 800,000) of dog bite victims require medical attention annually.

Both large and small dogs have very powerful jaws, and they can inflict significant damage. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, it is not uncommon for our Oregon dog bite injury lawyers to help clients who have sustained the following:

• Severe damage to soft tissue (lacerations and punctures)
• Broken bones
• Severed ligaments, veins, arteries, and tendons
• Amputation of the fingers

While these injuries impose immediate medical dangers, they can also lead to an increased risk of infection and cause significant scarring and disfigurement for victims.

Who can be held liable for these cases?

Many states have what is called “strict liability” dog bite laws in place. These laws make it so that a dog’s owner can be held liable for bite injuries even if the dog has never bitten anybody before. However, Oregon’s dog bite laws only hold the dog owner liable if the dog is “potentially dangerous.” Under Oregon law, this is defined as a dog that:

• Menaces another person while the dog is not on the owner’s property.
• Inflicts physical injury on a person.
• Injures or kills a domestic animal while not on the owner’s property.

In each of these situations, the dog must no be provoked in order for the owner to be held liable for damages. However, Oregon does have a “one bite” rule in place. Essentially, once a dog has bitten someone once, the owner is on notice about the dog’s potential danger and could be held liable for injuries from any further bites.

Let us help secure the compensation you need

If you or somebody you care about has been bitten and injured by a dog, you need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys, our skilled and experienced team is ready to investigate every aspect of your case and work to secure the compensation you deserve. This can include the following:

• All medical expenses related to the dog bite injuries
• Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of personal enjoyment damages

We are not afraid to take on major insurance carriers or at-fault dog owners. When you need an Oregon dog bite injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.