Tulsa Dog Bite Attorney

Although they’re called “Man’s Best Friend,” dogs are animals, and animals sometimes bite. In reality, dogs bite about 4.5 million Americans every year, half of who are children between 5 and 9 years of age. One in five of those bites lead to an injury requiring medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most dog attacks involve a dog that the victim knew, such as a friend’s pet. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, you can pursue fair compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other financial losses. Our Tulsa dog bite lawyers share more than 150 years of legal experience and are prepared to fight for the outcome you deserve.

Liability in Oklahoma Dog Bite Cases

Oklahoma follows the “strict liability” law when it comes to dog bite cases, which means that the dog’s owner is always held responsible for any injuries his or her dog inflicted. You do not need to prove that the owner was particularly negligent in his or her handling of the dog in order to be successful in your case. However, if you were attacked as a result of provoking the dog or while trespassing, you are not legally eligible to pursue a dog bite injury claim.

What Compensation Can Dog Bite Victims Recover?

If you have been bitten by a dog, you are entitled to recover fair and adequate compensation for losses and damages. These might include a broad range of damages suffered by the victim. The two main areas of harm are economic damages and non-economic damages, which can include:

• Medical expenses
• Costs to transport for medical reasons
• Future medical costs for surgery or plastic surgery for scars
• Loss of past, current, or future income
• Defensive measures like erecting a fence
• Counseling expenses
• Pain and treatment of the injury
• Psychological suffering when encountering dogs or remembering the incident
• Humiliation caused by scarring
• Diminished quality of life because of a disability

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Lawsuits in Oklahoma

Like any other type of personal injury lawsuit, dog bite lawsuits in Oklahoma must be filed within a set time period in order to be considered by the court. This is commonly known as a “statute of limitations.” Oklahoma law gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in the state’s court system.

If this time period expires and you have not filed a claim, you will lose your right to sue and will be unable to recover compensation. For this reason, it is essential to understand how the statute of limitations applies to your case and to get a skilled dog bite lawyer involved as soon as possible to guard your rights.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury

Below is a list of steps you should take in the aftermath of a dog bite injury:

• Seek medical care: Regardless of how minor you might think an injury is, it is crucial to seek medical care. Even a wound that seems insignificant can get infected, especially if the dog that bit you was not been vaccinated against rabies. Make sure to snap some photos of your wounds prior to getting treatment to accurately document them.
• Swap information: Similar to what you would do after a car accident, it is important to swap information with the dog’s owner, including his or her name, phone number, and address. You will need to be able to contact them after the accident and verify the dog’s vaccination history.
• Identify witnesses: If there were any witnesses who saw what occurred, try to get their information. Additionally, in this day and age, people constantly have their phones out and a witness might have taken video or captured photographs of what happened, which could be invaluable to your claim.
• Contact animal control: Lastly, you should file a report with the animal control agency in your area.

Seek Distinguished Legal Advocacy Today

At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, we have won millions on behalf of injury victims, and are prepared to aggressively represent you. We’ve made a name for ourselves in Tulsa and throughout the state for being competent and successful. Contact us today to discuss your case in a free case evaluation with an experienced attorney in Tulsa.