Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law in Oklahoma City holds dog owners accountable when victims suffer serious dog bites. We represent dog bite victims of all ages and make sure they receive full support to pay for the best medical care available after a scary dog attack. Our skilled Oklahoma City attorneys provide free, no-obligation case consultations to all victims. Contact us today to find out what your case is worth.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Oklahoma City Dog Bite Incident?
If you or a loved one are left with a serious injury, you may need the protection of a skilled Oklahoma City dog bite lawyer. Suffering a fracture, head trauma, or even a disfigurement will mean medical care will be expensive and those bills may keep building for months or years. This is when insurance providers get nervous and look for ways to reduce the value of your injury claim. They may try to find ways to blame you for your encounter with a dog. They may find a doctor who will say that your injuries are all that bad. Allow an Oklahoma City dog bite lawyer to protect you from these tactics and help you demand every benefit available.Can I Seek Compensation from a Dog Owner After Suffering a Bite?
Oklahoma is a “strict liability” dog bite state. That means that dog owners aren’t excused from taking responsibility for a bite wound even if it’s the first time a dog has shown aggression. Some states follow a “one bite” rule and don’t hold owners accountable unless the dog has bitten before. But Oklahoma generally holds dog owners fully liable for a victim’s well-being under most circumstances. Strict liability for the pet owner would be followed unless:- The victim was trespassing.
- The victim provoked the dog.
Dog Bites at Oklahoma City Dog Parks
Dogs usually play well with humans and other animals, but they can become confused or scared and accidentally bite someone. They can even accidentally bite while playing. These situations are common, but it’s still the dog owner’s responsibility to keep others protected from their pets. Many Oklahoma City residents enjoy taking their dogs out for a run around the block or to a local dog park, like Midtown Mutts Dog Park. Strict liability still applies to dog bites suffered at city parks and dog parks. The dog owner could be held financially accountable for the cost of the medical care the victim needed and the support of victims while they are out of work. The owner/operators of the dog park, sometimes the City of Oklahoma or sometimes an Apartment complex, usually aren’t liable in these incidents. Dog parks are usually considered “use at your own risk” locations. In most cases, victims wouldn’t be able to sue property owners or the city after suffering a bite at a park. After a frightening encounter with a dog at a park or anywhere in your neighborhood, you’ll need time to focus on healing physically and mentally. You don’t need to worry over the frustrating claims process and battles with unhelpful insurance adjusters. Allow Ylla|Gosney to work on getting you the most support possible for your injury while you work on fully recovering. We want to see you get back on your feet again and back to enjoying a normal life.What Is My Dog Bite Injury Worth?
It’s difficult to give an accurate estimate on the settlement money you will earn after a dog bite. It will depend largely on how bad your injury is and how long it takes you to heal. Your dog bite lawyer won’t be able to determine how much you should expect from an insurance company until going over the details of your case and fully investigating what happened. A skilled Oklahoma City lawyer must create a full list of every hardship you and your family have faced in recovery. This list will be included in an insurance claim. Every damage that’s included will help increase the amount you’ll see on a dog bite settlement check.- Totals on medical bills.
- Estimates on long-term care, including restorative surgeries, for victims suffering disfigurements.
- Estimates on long-term care needed for dog bite victims left with permanent physical disabilities.
- Support for the physical pain dog bite victims endure.
- Support for the emotional trauma victims cope with. This might include the anxiety and PTSD symptoms victims experience in the aftermath of a frightening dog attack. Depression during a difficult recovery is also common.
- Totals on travel costs as victims must make doctor’s appointments while unable to drive. They may also have to travel out of town or out of state to visit specialists.
- Totals on lost paychecks and benefits while victims are unable to work.
- In the case of a tragic fatal dog bite incident, families can file a wrongful death claim to ask for help covering the costs of a funeral and pay off remaining medical bills. Close relatives should also get help in replacing the income the deceased can no longer provide the family. They could also ask for support for the care and guidance that will no longer be available to the victim’s spouse and children in the future.
