Dog Bite Lawyers in Portland, ME

Injured by a Vicious Dog? You Need an Attorney.

We all love our dogs, and the unconditional love these pets offer. However, even the friendliest, well-behaved family dog can turn vicious under certain conditions. Some dog owners fail to train their dogs, while others specifically train them to attack intruders. When a vicious dog is unrestrained, roaming the neighborhood, it poses a very serious risk to both adults and children. Dog bite injuries can be extremely serious, disfiguring, or in the worst cases, fatal.

Dog Bite Statistics – The Facts

The CDC reports that more than 4.5 million people suffer dog bites each year in the USA, with over 800,000 seeking medical care to treat the injuries. While some breeds are known to be more prone to biting, any dog can bite. Under Maine law §3955, Title 7, Chapter 729, Damage By Animals, §3961:

“… when a dog injures a person who is not on the owner’s or keeper’s premises at the time of the injury, the owner or keeper of the dog is liable in a civil action to the person injured for the amount of the damages. Any fault on the part of the person injured may not reduce the damages recovered for physical injury to that person unless the court determines that the fault of the person injured exceeded the fault of the dog’s keeper or owners.”

Dog Bite Injury Claims in Portland, ME

If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog, the injuries could be extremely serious, requiring emergency medical care. Even a minor puncture wound has the potential for developing a serious infection which can be difficult to treat. In cases of dog bite injuries, it is advised that you engage the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer to act on your behalf and pursue the level of compensation deserved. The claim may be filed to seek compensation through a homeowners insurance policy, or other insurance, or a lawsuit can be filed in civil court.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

A dog bite is not a minor injury, and in many cases, will require extensive medical treatment to treat. Some of the most common types of dog bite injuries requiring medical intervention include:

• Head and neck injuries: Most often occurring in children, a dog may attack the upper body, biting into the head and neck, leaving the child with permanent scarring, eye injuries, or other severe consequences.
• Deep puncture wounds: Puncture wounds that enter deeply into the skin and muscles are very likely to develop an infection that does not respond well to standard antibiotics and may require surgery to repair.
• Crush injuries (bone fractures, muscle damage): The powerful jaws on some breeds, and the propensity to not release the victim, can lead to broken bones and severe damage to the muscle structure.
• Avulsions: Skin, tissue and muscle ripped from the body in chunks that will leave a deep, visible scar.
• Infections: Staph, strep, capnocytophaga, and other bacterial infections. As reported by the CDC, capnocytophaga infections are very dangerous, and can lead to heart attack, kidney failure, gangrene, or death, with three in ten victims dying within 24 to 72 hours from the onset of symptoms.

Why You Need an Attorney

The consequences of a serious or fatal dog bite are extensive. The injured person, whether an adult or a child, suffers extreme pain both in the dog attack and in medical treatment that takes a heavy emotional toll. It is only fair that the dog owner be held accountable for the actions of their pet. To file a claim requires a full understanding of how to compile and present supporting evidence and take legal action to seek full compensation for all damages, both economic losses (such as the cost of medical care, ongoing treatments, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and more) and non-economic. The non-economic damages give a dollar value to the pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and other personal losses associated with the incident. At Horn Wright, LLP, we offer experienced legal counsel in serious dog bite cases and are proud to be among the most respected law firms serving the Portland, Maine area. Call to discuss your case – no legal fees unless we win.

Call the team at Horn Wright, LLP at (207) 994-2001 if you or someone you love has suffered severe dog bite injuries.