Shlesinger & deVilleneuve Attorneys, P.C.
Dog Bites

Dog Bite Injury Attorney Brookings & Gold Beach

Although they are well-regarded as man’s best friend for good reason, dogs can also pose serious hazards to the safety of others for a variety of reasons. Dog bites are typically terrifying experiences for victims, not only causing painful and extensive physical damage but often resulting in long-lasting emotional scars due to the trauma of the incident. Each year, around 800,000 people receive injuries due to dog bites, almost half of which require emergency medical treatment due to the severity of the damage. Learn more about dog bite injury claims by reviewing the information below, then contact Shlesinger & deVilleneuve to discuss how we can deliver justice and fair compensation in your case. Typical reasons that a dog might attack or bite:

  • The dog doesn’t feel safe
  • The dog thinks there is a threat and is protecting his/her owner
  • The dog is defending his/her territory
  • The dog is in the middle of eating and feels defensive of his/her food
  • The dog thinks there is a threat and feels cornered without another way out

Oregon Dog Bite Law

Animal bite laws are governed by statutes and common law at the state level, so they vary dramatically depending on your location. In the state of Oregon, a dog bite victim can pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible party to recover compensation for damages from injuries sustained due to negligence or negligence per se, referred to as the “one bite rule.” Unlike other states that allow victims to pursue claims for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, Oregon imposes liability exclusively for economic damages.

Demonstrating Negligence

Negligence is defined as harboring the dog while being aware that it may be “abnormally dangerous” or harboring it without full knowledge of its potential danger, then either intentionally causing harm to the victim or showing careless disregard by failing to act appropriately to prevent harm. In other words, what knowledge did the owner or custodian possess about the dog that would have made a reasonable person anticipate the potential danger of it behaving in the type of manner that caused the injury the victim sustained.

Negligence can take the form of acting in a way that directly causes the injury, such as frightening, tripping, or knocking down the victim and therefore leading the dog to mistakenly perceive danger, become fearful for its safety or the safety of the owner, and behave aggressively to protect itself, the owner, or the territory. Negligence per se refers to violating ordinances that stipulate pet owners or custodians cannot cause or allow an animal to run at large, such as leash laws.

At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we’ve been representing Oregon attack victims for more than four decades, and have been effective in getting compensation for over 95% of all of our personal injury clients! In Oregon, it’s especially essential to retain the skills of a knowledgeable attorney if you or a family member have been attacked or bitten by a dog, because of the fact that the Oregon statutes that control dog bites can be complicated. All of our seasoned and proficient lawyers know the challenging nature of Oregon’s one-bite law, and can work to recuperate both financial and non-financial damages for your medical expenses, stress, pain, trauma and suffering.

Let Shlesinger & deVilleneuve Attorneys
fight for you

If you or a loved one has received a dog bite injury, contact Shlesinger & deVilleneuve immediately. Legal representation from a personal injury attorney with experience in dog bite cases is crucial to ensure you have the best chance of recovering compensation for your injury. The Oregon statutes governing dog bites tend to be complicated and confusing, and you can quickly become overwhelmed without legal assistance.

The vast majority of dog bite cases are not decided in court but settled through skilled negotiations with the dog owner or their insurance company. Such companies implement a number of dishonest yet effective tactics to avoid paying valid claims, including pressuring victims to settle for unfair amounts before an adequate amount of time has passed to thoroughly investigate the incident and identify the full extent of the injury and appropriate damages to help the victim recover.

At Shlesinger and deVilleneuve, we understand the complex nature of Oregon dog bite law and can establish liability for your claim, successfully negotiate with insurance companies, and aggressively advocate on your behalf in court if necessary. To schedule a consultation, contact us today by visiting our website, and we will get in touch with you on the same day to offer comprehensive, personalized legal assistance. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning we do not receive payment until we win your case and recover compensation for you.

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