When a dog bites you, your immediate priority is taking care of your injuries. But once the immediate shock fades, you’re left with difficult questions. Who is going to pay my medical bills? How do I deal with the dog’s owner? Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite?
At Mann Law, we help answer those questions with clarity and compassion. If you or your child has suffered a dog bite in Portland, Maine, our team is here to help you understand your rights and work to hold the responsible party accountable.
Contact us at 207-709-0900 to discuss your case in detail.
Key Takeaways
- Maine holds dog owners strictly liable when their dog injures someone off-leash in public or on another person’s property: You do not need to prove the dog had a history of aggression — the attack itself is often enough to establish liability.
- A dog bite claim in Portland can cover far more than your medical bills: Victims may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, scarring, and long-term effects including PTSD.
- Insurance companies will look for ways to minimize your payout or shift blame to you: Having an experienced Portland dog bite attorney on your side helps counter those tactics and strengthens your position from the start.
- Maine gives you six years to file a personal injury claim after a dog bite, but acting quickly protects your evidence: Witness accounts, animal control reports, and photographs of your injuries are most valuable when gathered soon after the attack.
- Dog bites involving children often carry more severe physical and emotional consequences: If your child was bitten in Portland or the surrounding Cumberland County area, an attorney can help you pursue the full scope of damages they deserve.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Dog Bite in Portland?
In many cases, the answer is yes, especially if the bite caused significant injuries, led to infection, required surgery, or left you unable to work. A Portland dog bite attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and any long-term effects.
Every dog bite case is different. Maine law holds dog owners responsible under certain conditions, but there are ways owners can contest liability. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or blame the victim. That is where Mann Law can step in with a thoughtful legal strategy, real experience, and personalized care.
What Kind of Lawyer Do You Need for a Dog Bite?
Dog bites fall under the personal injury practice area, but not all personal injury lawyers have experience with dog bites. You need someone who understands a dog bite case’s legal and emotional aspects.
At Mann Law, we bring over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Chrissy Mann, the firm’s founder, previously worked as an insurance defense attorney. She knows precisely how insurers think, which helps us anticipate their tactics and build stronger cases for our clients.
Maine Dog Bite Laws: What You Should Know
Maine has both strict liability and negligence-based rules for dog bites. Here are the basics:
- Strict liability. If a dog injures someone while off-leash in public or trespasses onto someone else’s property, the owner is often automatically liable, even if the dog never previously showed signs of aggression.
- Negligence. In some cases, proving that the dog owner failed to use reasonable care (such as not controlling a dangerous dog) is necessary.
In addition to these standards, several Maine laws are relevant to dog bite cases. They include:
- Maine has a six-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including dog bites.
- Maine law does not require the victim to prove the dog’s history of aggression, though it can strengthen a claim.
- Dog owners may be liable for both physical and emotional damages.
A skilled Portland dog bite injury lawyer can help you understand how these laws apply to your situation.
Why Portland Dog Bite Victims Choose Mann Law
- We Know How Insurance Companies Think: Firm founder Chrissy Mann spent years as an insurance defense attorney. That inside perspective means we anticipate insurer tactics before they happen and build cases designed to counter them.
- We Handle the Full Scope of Dog Bite Damages: From puncture wounds and infection to nerve damage, scarring, and psychological trauma, we calculate every element of your losses — not just the bills you have already received.
- We Serve Portland and the Surrounding Communities: Whether your attack happened in Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough, or elsewhere in Cumberland County, our team knows Maine law and fights for local families.
- No Fee Unless We Win Your Case: You take no financial risk when you choose Mann Law. We advance all case costs and only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Common Injuries from Dog Attacks
Dog bites can lead to serious, long-lasting injuries. At Mann Law, we’ve helped clients recover compensation for:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations;
- Infections, including MRSA and rabies exposure;
- Nerve damage or loss of function;
- Disfigurement and scarring (especially on the face, hands, or legs);
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety; and
- Lost wages and diminished future earning ability.
If your child is the victim, the emotional and physical effects can be even more severe. We approach these cases with the extra sensitivity and attention they deserve.
How Mann Law Can Help After a Dog Bite in Portland
After a dog bite, your focus should be healing, not arguing with insurance companies or trying to interpret Maine statutes. That is where we step in.
Here is what our team can do for you:
- Investigate the attack and determine liability;
- Gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and animal control reports;
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement;
- Calculate the full extent of your damages—both physical and emotional; and
- Take your case to court to fight for what you deserve.
We know how insurance companies operate. That gives us a strategic advantage and allows us to fight for truly fair results.
Most importantly, we do everything while keeping you informed, supported, and heard. You won’t have to chase us down for updates or wonder what’s happening with your case. We’re here for you—start to finish.
How Much Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
We understand that compensation matters. You may be facing thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost income, and emotional pain. However, we are careful not to make empty promises or quote numbers just to win your trust.
The value of your case depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, whether you needed surgery, how long you missed work, and whether there was permanent damage. Be cautious of any lawyer who guarantees you a high settlement, especially without knowing the full details of your case.
At Mann Law, we focus on getting what is fair, not inflating expectations. We provide honest guidance backed by decades of combined experience in personal injury law.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Portland
Taking the proper steps after a dog attack can protect your health and your legal claim. If you or a loved one was bitten, here is what to do:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if the bite seems minor;
- Report the bite to Portland Animal Control or the local police department;
- Get contact information from the dog owner (if present) and any witnesses;
- Take photographs of your injuries and the location of the attack; and
- Do not speak to the insurance company until you have spoken with a lawyer.
Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, a free consultation with a Portland dog bite attorney can give you clarity and peace of mind.
Why Choose Mann Law?
We know you have options. So why choose us?
- We are a woman-owned firm in a male-dominated field, so our voice is different, and our results reflect that difference;
- We treat every client like family, not a file number;
- We bring over 50 years of combined legal experience to every case;
- We know how insurers operate and how to counter their strategies effectively; and
- We offer personalized, strategic, and compassionate representation from start to finish.
When you’re ready to move forward, we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.
Speak with a Portland Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a dog attack in Portland, Maine, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Whether you are dealing with painful injuries, stress about medical costs, or uncertainty about what to do next, we are here to help.
At Mann Law, we provide personalized attention, honest answers, and skilled legal support.
Call us today at (207) 709-0900 or reach out with our online form for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened, how you are doing, and how we can help you confidently move forward.
