Ylla Gosney helps victims of dog bites in Tulsa, including those that happen at family holiday gatherings. Although it’s incredibly common for dog bites to happen at family gatherings, it’s especially delicate when it happens during the holidays. If you or a family member has been bitten at one of these gatherings and you want to know what your options are, contact us today for a free consultation.
How Should You Respond After a Dog Bite at a Family Holiday Gathering?
You never want to be in a situation where you’re bitten by a dog–let alone during a holiday get-together with your family. But these parties and gatherings can be a pretty stressful environment for a dog, even if they’re familiar with everyone. So then, if there’s a dog bite incident, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Talk things out – First and foremost, try not to panic. Be calm and explain that filing a claim is just to cover medical costs, not to blame anyone.
- Check the insurance policy – Work with your family member to report the incident to their homeowners’ insurance, which usually covers dog bites.
- Keep detailed records – Take pictures of your injuries, save medical receipts, and note missed work to help with your claim.
- Be compassionate – Accidents happen, especially during busy holidays. Focus on healing instead of blaming your family member, and be understanding about what happened.
A holiday gathering with family is meant to be a joyful time, but that changes if there’s a dog bite incident. Following the above steps is a good way to make a stressful and delicate situation much easier for everyone involved.
What Options Do You Have After a Dog Bite in Tulsa?
Under Oklahoma law, dog owners are responsible for injuries their pets cause, even those to family members. This is based on the legal concept of “strict liability.” That clears up a major hurdle in the claims process, where you already know who’s actually responsible for covering your injuries. At the same time, though, you probably don’t want to have to take legal action against one of your family members. But the fact remains that you have the option to file a claim and recover certain damages by:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
No matter which option you choose, the point is to recover financial support for your injuries and other losses. Even a small dog bite can have potential complications and problems, which the law tries to take into account when allowing you to recover “damages” in a claim, like:
- Medical expenses – This covers current and future costs for hospital visits, surgeries, therapy, and other treatments.
- Lost wages – This covers any income you lose while getting treatment and care for your injuries.
- Pain and suffering – This category of damages looks at the physical and emotional trauma experienced by you and your family.
- Scarring/disfigurement – This covers costs related to any lasting physical damage or scars.
- Loss of quality of life – This covers costs for the loss of your ability to enjoy activities you previously loved. It can also factor the incident’s impact on your family bonds.
In Oklahoma, you usually have two years to file a claim, but it’s best to act quickly to protect evidence and build a stronger case. Dog bites can cause serious harm to the victim, from deep wounds to infections like rabies. Getting financial support is important for your recovery and long-term well-being.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
Dealing with any injury at a family gathering, especially a dog bite, can be overwhelming. These injuries, whether to children or adults, can have long-term effects, so it’s important to understand your legal options.
If you or a family member has been bitten during a holiday gathering, you might wonder if you need a lawyer. This often depends on the seriousness of the injury. While it’s up to you to decide if legal action is necessary, our team in Tulsa offers free consultations and can help you with:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Working with your family member and their insurance company for a fair result
- Helping you gather important information and evidence
- Making things easier for you as you focus on your recovery
A dog bite at a family holiday gathering in Tulsa can be tough to deal with. At Ylla Gosney, our Tulsa dog bite lawyers are here to help. We’ll take care of your claim and work to protect family relationships while making sure you get the support you need. Contact us today for a free consultation.
