Dog Bite Lawyer in Salem, OR
Personalized Legal Care for Clients in the Greater Willamette Valley
Dog bites are a significant public health concern in the United States, affecting millions of people annually. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs annually.
Of those bitten, an estimated 800,000 seek medical attention, and around 370,000 require emergency department care. Children are particularly at risk, making up a significant portion of dog bite victims. Dog bite injuries can be severe, leading to lifelong disfigurement, emotional trauma, and extensive medical costs. In some cases, they can be fatal.
Call Smith Morgan LLP at (541) 248-6979 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Salem dog bite attorney. Consultations can be conducted virtually for your convenience. Hablamos español.
Our Assistance in Dog Bite Injury Cases
Smith Morgan LLP has helped clients recovering from dog attacks brought on by negligent pet owners since 1991. Our firm has one practice area: Oregon personal injury law. Due to our exclusive focus, we possess the experience, skills, and resources to deliver robust representation.
What we can do for you:
- Conduct a full investigation, gathering evidence, medical records, witness statements, and photos
- Assess economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma
- Consult medical experts and specialists when needed to document the severity and needs of your injuries
- Negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation
- Prepare and file lawsuits when insurers or owners refuse to pay what the law requires
Our Settlements & Verdicts
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$1,250,000 Road Construction Worker Fatality
Policy limit settlement for a worker killed by an inattentive driver in a construction zone.
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$1,500,000 Pedestrian Hit By Drunk Driver
Settlement for a pedestrian struck by a drunk driver, which included recovery from the bar that overserved the driver.
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$100,000 Denied Claim Turned Around
Policy limit settlement where the insurance company initially denied responsibility until Smith Morgan, LLP got involved.
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Settlement Trip And Fall At Local Business
An 81-year-old man suffered severe injuries after tripping at a business. Investigation revealed multiple code violations at the doorway. The case settled shortly before trial, covering all medical costs plus pain and suffering.
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$2,500,000 Semi-Truck Accident
Policy limit settlement for a husband and wife tragically killed in a collision with a semi-truck driver.
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Policy Limit Settlement Child Struck By Truck
A 9-year-old boy was hit by a truck trailer while fishing with his brother. Despite the insurer’s attempt to blame the child, accident reconstruction proved the driver—under the influence of illegal substances—was negligent. The case settled for policy limits.
What Qualifies as a Dog Bite (or Dog Attack) Injury?
Victims may sustain a wide range of injuries, including:
- Deep lacerations, puncture wounds
- Nerve damage, tendon or ligament injury
- Crush injuries, fractures, or bone damage
- Broken or lost teeth from being knocked to the ground
- Disfigurement or scarring requiring cosmetic or reconstructive surgery
- Infection, including a severe risk if not treated promptly
- Psychological or emotional injury, such as post-traumatic stress or anxiety
Oregon Law: Liability & Compensation
Oregon’s laws provide specific avenues for dog bite victims to recover compensation.
- Oregon has a strict liability statute for dog owners when it comes to economic damages (such as medical bills, lost wages) resulting from injuries caused by a dog. In those cases, the plaintiff does not need to prove the owner knew the dog might be dangerous.
- For non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress), the victim typically must prove negligence, or that the owner violated a leash law, or that the dog was known to be dangerous. This can be established by demonstrating that the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies (the "one-bite rule"), or that the owner's negligence, such as violating a local leash law or other animal control ordinance, contributed to the injury.
- Oregon law also includes rules regarding “dangerous dogs” and imposes certain obligations on dog owners under local ordinances, which may affect liability. Oregon statutes (ORS 609.098 and 609.115) define "dangerous dogs" and "potentially dangerous dogs" and impose specific obligations on their owners.