Quick Answer
After a dog bite in Portland, you generally have two years to file an injury claim in Oregon (ORS 12.110). Oregon is not a "one bite" state and not a pure "strict liability" state. It splits your case in two. You can recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) without proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous (ORS 31.360). Recovering non-economic damages (pain, suffering, scarring) usually requires showing the owner knew the dog was dangerous or was careless, and in Multnomah County, a prior county dangerous-dog record is often the proof that unlocks it. Homeowner or renter insurance typically pays. Your case review is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Experienced Portland Dog Bite Attorney
Goldberg & Loren's dog bite lawyers in Portland, Oregon, have successfully recovered over half a billion dollars in settlements and awards for our clients. If you have been the victim of a dog bite, you may have the right to receive compensation from the dog's owner or their insurance company.
We will talk with expert witnesses, review medical records, pull the dog's history with Multnomah County, and use our knowledge of Oregon law to pursue the maximum compensation available to you. Our Portland personal injury attorneys will fight for every dollar you are owed.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, call our local dog bite lawyers at (971) 339-8080 to schedule a free consultation. We are open now, 24 / 7 - 365 days a year.
Fact: Every day, roughly three people are bitten by dogs in and around Portland. [1]
A Message From George Goldberg
“Dog attacks are different from almost every other case we handle, because the fear tends to outlast the wound. I have represented children bitten in the face and adults who still flinch at every dog on the sidewalk months later. What makes me angriest is the insurance playbook: they rush in with a small check before anyone has added up the reconstructive surgery, the permanent scar, and the anxiety that follows, and they bet you will take it. In more than 32 years I have learned they pay full value only when a firm is ready to pull the dog’s Multnomah County history and take the case to a jury. That is exactly what we do. When you call, you work directly with me, and you pay nothing unless we win.”
George Goldberg, Founding Partner, Goldberg & Loren
Our Verdicts and Settlements
Our client was mauled by a loose Pitbull on the north side of Portland
Our client was bitten by a dog on a leash while jogging on the Washington Park Loop.
How Oregon Dog Bite Law Actually Works
Most websites tell you Oregon is a "one bite" state. That is not accurate, and believing it can cost you money. Oregon splits a dog-bite case into two tracks, and each track has a different rule about what you must prove.
Track 1: Economic Damages
Medical bills, lost wages, future care
You do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Under ORS 31.360, the owner is responsible for these costs even if the dog had not bitten anyone before.
Track 2: Non-Economic Damages
Pain, suffering, scarring, PTSD
You generally must show the owner knew, or had reason to know, the dog was dangerous, or that the owner was negligent (for example, breaking a leash law). This is where the case is won or lost.
In plain terms: a dog-bite victim in Oregon can almost always recover their out-of-pocket losses. The fight is over the larger, human part of the claim: the pain, the permanent scar, the fear of dogs that follows a mauling. Winning that part means proving the owner was on notice, and that is exactly where a Portland lawyer who knows the local record system has the advantage.
The "One Bite Rule" and Proving the Owner Knew
The common-law "one bite rule" is the idea that an owner is on notice once their dog has shown it is dangerous. In Oregon it survives only on the non-economic track above: to recover for pain and suffering, we usually have to show the owner knew, or should have known, the dog was aggressive.
That knowledge can be proven with previous incidents, witnesses who saw the dog behave aggressively before, warnings from neighbors, "Beware of Dog" signage, or, most powerfully in Portland, an official county record, which is covered next.
Multnomah County's Dangerous-Dog System: Why It Can Decide Your Case
Here is the local advantage most dog-bite pages leave out. Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) keeps an official classification system for aggressive dogs under Multnomah County Code Chapter 13. Dogs are rated on a scale:
- Potentially Dangerous, Level 1: found at large (loose) and acting aggressively toward people.
- Potentially Dangerous, Levels 2–3: escalating aggressive incidents.
- Potentially Dangerous, Level 4: the dog may have bitten a person or killed another animal.
- Dangerous Dog: the highest classification; these dogs do not qualify for declassification. [3]
Why does this matter to your wallet? Remember Track 2: pain-and-suffering damages require proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous. A prior MCAS classification, a past bite report, or a documented complaint is often the cleanest proof of that knowledge that exists: an official government record showing the owner was already on notice before your attack. It can turn a medical-bills-only case into a full-value claim.
After a Portland dog bite, protect your claim:
Report the bite to Multnomah County Animal Services at (503) 988-7387 (or file the Animal Bite Report Form with MCAS). Reporting creates the paper trail. Then ask us to request the dog's full county history: prior classifications, complaints, and citations under Chapter 13. That record is frequently the difference between recovering only your bills and recovering everything the attack took from you.
Proving Owner Negligence and Holding the Owner Liable
Beyond a dog's known history, an owner can be held liable for a bite by acting carelessly. To prove negligence, we typically show the owner:
- Knew (or should have known) of the dog's aggressive nature
- Failed to take reasonable steps to protect others from harm
- Violated a leash or animal-control ordinance (a violation like this can itself support a negligence claim in Oregon)
Where an owner acted recklessly or with conscious disregard for others' safety, Oregon also allows punitive damages, though these require clear and convincing evidence of malice or reckless indifference (ORS 31.730).
Economic Damages: The Costs You Can Recover Without Proving Fault
Economic damages are the measurable, out-of-pocket costs of your injury, and on this track Oregon does not make you prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. They include:
- Emergency care, surgery, and reconstructive or plastic surgery
- Follow-up treatment, physical therapy, and future medical care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs such as medication, transportation, and rehabilitation
Our bite-injury lawyers work with your treating providers and, when needed, medical and vocational experts to document the full extent of these losses, including care you will still need years from now.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain, Suffering, and Disfigurement
Non-economic damages compensate the human toll of an attack: physical pain, emotional trauma, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of daily life. Dog attacks also cause harm beyond the bite itself, being knocked down, chased, or menaced can leave lasting anxiety. Recovering these damages is the part of your case that turns on the owner's knowledge or negligence, which is why the county record described above matters so much.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
When a dog attack occurs, the victim may suffer physical harm as well as emotional trauma.
1. Physical Injuries
Dog bites can cause a range of physical injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe wounds. Common injuries include puncture wounds, lacerations, deep tissue damage, broken bones, and nerve damage. Dogs may also cause falls or violently shake their victims, resulting in head injuries such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries. A dog bite scar can be a lasting reminder of the physical damage done.
Bite wounds also carry a high infection risk. Bacteria in a dog's mouth can introduce pathogens that lead to cellulitis, abscesses, sepsis, or tetanus, so prompt medical attention is important both for your health and for documenting your claim.
2. Emotional Distress
Emotional distress is a significant and often overlooked consequence of dog bites. Victims can experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety may arise from the fear of encountering dogs, and nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or flashbacks related to the incident are common. These psychological injuries are compensable non-economic damages.
3. Children and Facial Injuries
Young children are especially likely to be seriously bitten, and because of their height, their injuries are often to the face, head, and neck, leaving scars that require years of reconstructive care. Oregon suspends the filing deadline while a victim is under 18 (ORS 12.160), but that extra time is limited, so waiting can still cost your child the claim. If your child was bitten, talk to a lawyer promptly so evidence and the dog's history are preserved.
4. Fatal Attacks
A wrongful death claim may be brought by the family if a victim dies from a dog attack. While rare, it does happen. If you have lost a loved one, please contact our wrongful death attorneys in Portland. Note that wrongful death claims run under a separate three-year deadline (ORS 30.020), not the two-year injury deadline.
Who Pays for a Dog Bite Claim in Oregon?
In most Portland dog-bite cases, the money does not come out of the owner's pocket, it comes from an insurance policy. Understanding which policy applies is often the key to full compensation:
- Homeowner's insurance: usually where the money comes from. Homeowner policies typically include personal-liability coverage that pays for injuries the household's dog causes, on or off the property.
- Renter's insurance: renters carry the same personal-liability coverage, so a claim can proceed even when the owner does not own their home.
- Landlord liability: in some cases a landlord who knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog and did nothing can share responsibility.
- Umbrella policies: in a severe mauling that exceeds the base policy limit, an umbrella policy may provide additional coverage.
Watch for two traps: some policies contain breed exclusions that deny coverage for certain dogs, and a claim against a friend or family member's insurance can feel awkward. You are not suing the person, you are making a claim against a policy they pay for precisely so injured people can be compensated. We handle that conversation for you.
Oregon Dog Bite Statistics
Dog bites are a serious public-health problem in the Portland area. Local reporting has attributed roughly three bites a day in and around the city. [1]
Young children are bitten especially often, and their bites tend to be more severe because of where a dog can reach them. That pattern is why prompt medical care and early legal help matter so much for young victims.
Portland's Most-Cited Dog Breeds
Any breed can bite, but some are cited far more often in serious attacks. Reporting on roughly 3,940 Portland-area bite investigations since 2010 found pit bulls at the top of the list. [2] Rottweilers, American Bulldogs, wolf-hybrids, and Doberman Pinschers also appear frequently, generally attributed to their size and strength rather than breed alone. Training, socialization, and how an owner controls the dog matter more than any label.
Legal Rights of Dog Bite Victims in Portland
In Oregon, victims of dog bites have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. Owners can be held responsible for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. As explained above, economic losses do not require proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous, while pain-and-suffering damages generally do. An experienced attorney can pursue both together and gather the evidence, including the county record, needed to support the full claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Oregon?
In most cases you have two years from the date of the bite to file an injury claim in Oregon (ORS 12.110). This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and missing it can end your claim no matter how strong it is. Two important exceptions: if the victim is a child, the clock is suspended while they are under 18, within limits (ORS 12.160); and if a dog attack causes a death, the wrongful-death deadline is three years from the date of death (ORS 30.020). When in doubt, call us, do not let the deadline decide your case for you.
Does Finding a Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me Matter?
Proximity is not a measure of competence, but local knowledge is. What actually matters is whether your lawyer knows how to pull a dog's Multnomah County record, how local animal-control ordinances work, and how Portland-area insurers and juries value these cases. All Portland-based attorneys are licensed to practice throughout Oregon, and we can meet you wherever you are or handle your consultation online, so your exact address in Oregon is no barrier to first-rate representation.
How Much Does a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Cost?
Attorney Costs and Fees
A dog bite injury can create a financial burden few families are prepared for, so our representation requires no money up front. We work on a contingency fee: you pay nothing unless we win. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation to hire us. That means there is no financial risk in finding out what your case is worth.
What Clients Have to Say - Client Reviews
Contact Our Portland Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog attack, it is important to act quickly, both to protect your health and to preserve evidence. The experienced dog bite lawyers at Goldberg & Loren are here to help with your dog bite claim.
Our hard-hitting personal injury lawyers in Portland have a long history of representing victims of animal attacks, and we know how to hold owners and their insurers accountable. Contact us today by calling our local office at (971) 339-8080 for a free consultation. We are located just 10 minutes south of Downtown Portland, less than 4 miles away.
Local PDX Resources
Report a Dog Bite
Multnomah County Animal Services. Report a bite and request a dog's history: (503) 988-7387
Local Hospitals
Depending on where the attack happened, you or your loved one may be treated at one of the Portland-area hospitals.
OHSU Hospital
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
9205 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR 97225
Providence Portland Medical Center
805 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97213
Frequently Asked Questions
Oregon actually uses both rules, depending on the type of damages. For economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages, strict liability applies, the owner is responsible even if the dog had not bitten anyone before and even if the owner had no idea it was dangerous (ORS 31.360). For non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, the traditional "one bite" idea applies: you generally must show the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, or was negligent.
Usually two years from the date of the bite for an injury claim (ORS 12.110). The clock is suspended while a victim is under 18, within limits (ORS 12.160), and a wrongful-death claim after a fatal attack has a separate three-year deadline (ORS 30.020). Because missing the deadline can end an otherwise strong case, it is best to talk to a lawyer early.
In most cases, yes. Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies typically include personal-liability coverage that pays for injuries the household's dog causes. A landlord may also share responsibility if they knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog. Watch for breed exclusions in some policies. You are not going after the owner personally, you are making a claim against a policy that exists for exactly this situation.
Get medical care first, even for a wound that looks minor, because bite infections are common and treatment records document your claim. Then get the owner's name and insurance information, photograph your injuries and the scene, identify any witnesses, and report the bite to Multnomah County Animal Services at (503) 988-7387. Reporting creates an official record. Finally, contact a dog bite lawyer before speaking with the insurer.
Yes. Your economic damages, medical bills and lost wages, do not require proving the dog had a history (ORS 31.360). For pain and suffering we do need to show the owner knew or was negligent, and part of our job is investigating that history for you, including pulling the dog's record from Multnomah County Animal Services, which the owner may not even know exists.
In bite-injury statistics, pit bulls are frequently cited in serious injuries. That said, any dog can bite, and liability in Oregon turns on the owner's conduct and the dog's history, not on breed alone.
Yes. Seek medical attention first, then contact a dog bite lawyer to learn your options. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and early legal help means evidence and the dog's county history are preserved before they disappear.
Portland Dog Bite Statistics Infographic
Sources:
[1] Map: Dog bites, 2010-2014. The Oregonian, OregonLive.com. https://projects.oregonlive.com/maps/dogs/bites/
[2] Data: Pit bulls are dog most cited in Portland bites. (2015, March 16). OregonLive. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2015/03/pit_bulls_bite.html
[3] Dangerous and Potentially Dangerous Dogs. Multnomah County Animal Services. https://www.multcopets.org/dangerous-and-potentially-dangerous-dogs
We Provide Legal Representation for Dog Bite Victims in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon.
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Vancouver, WA
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Yamhill County, OR
