Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law 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 Tulsa 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 a Tulsa Dog Bite Incident?
If your bite wound is more than just some superficial cuts and minor bruising, you probably will need the help of a lawyer you can trust to make sure insurance companies treat you fairly. When you or a family member suffers a serious bite injury, it will change how insurance companies treat you.
When medical bills go sky-high due to a broken bone, or even a permanent disfigurement, insurers like to delay their response to a dog bite injury claim. They’ll try to find loopholes in the law to blame you for what happened. They’ll say that your injury wasn’t so bad so they can justify giving you far less than you need to pay for recovery.
Your Tulsa Dog Bite Lawyer would investigate your case and collect all evidence available. This is the best way to show what really happened and prevent an insurance adjuster from changing the facts. Ylla|Gosney then fights, through aggressive negotiation, to maximize the support you receive for your physical and financial recovery.
Who Is To Blame After a Dog Bite Incident?
Tulsa is definitely a dog-friendly city. Dogs enrich so many lives and usually, they are calm, gentle creatures. Unfortunately, dogs can be put in frightening or confusing situations and then end up biting someone.
These situations are usually created by the lack of responsibility and action by a dog owner. Oklahoma law agrees and sides with dog bite victims after a frightening incident. Oklahoma follows the legal concept of “strict liability” when deciding who is at fault for a bite wound. It means that dog owners are financially liable, even if a dog has never shown aggression before.
The dog owner would be legally responsible for providing victims with support for emergency room costs, and any hospital bills that followed. Their liability is pretty clear-cut unless victims were trespassing when they got bit or they somehow provoked the dog. But don’t be surprised when insurance adjusters do their best to change the narrative of what happened. Allow Ylla|Gosney to fight back on your behalf.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Accident
You may be in shock after suffering a devastating bite. But if you are left strong enough to move around, and the scene is secure, try to gather a few details in the moments after a bite.
Of course, see to your safety first. If you are hurt, call 911 and get an ambulance on the way. Otherwise, try to collect all the evidence you can:
- Get pictures of the scene and show any “beware of dog signs” or the absence of them.
- Get pictures of the dog.
- Take photos of any visible injuries.
- Locate the dog owner. Tulsa police officers may have to help you do this. Get contact information for the dog and/or property owner.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Schedule a follow-up visit with your family physician, even if you’ve already been to the emergency room.
Keep These Records
- Medical bills, documents, and expenses.
- Correspondence with the owner, owner’s lawyer, or insurance companies
- Any correspondence with the vet about the dog in question.
- Don’t throw out any damaged or bloody clothing.
Who Pays After a Dog Bite?
The pet owner’s homeowners insurance or renter’s insurance would usually be called upon to provide victims with compensation.
If the dog owner didn’t have any insurance, it’s possible a lawsuit would have to be filed against the pet owner. Usually, this isn’t ideal, because if dog owners don’t have any insurance, they usually won’t have a lot of assets and savings to help victims pay for expensive medical bills.
Make sure you let Ylla|Gosney handle the frustrating dealings with insurance companies and dog owners. We’ll demand support from every source possible on your behalf while you take the time you need to heal.
Can a Landlord Be Held Liable After a Tulsa Dog Bite?
Yes. In certain cases, a landlord or a property management company can also be held liable for a dog bite. If the property owner was renting to a tenant who had a dog that had been reported as aggressive, they might have to contribute to a victim’s recovery.
The landlord might be found negligent for not evicting someone with a dog. A landlord could also face liability if a fence on the property was in disrepair and a dog escaped and bit someone. Your lawyer would file claims against the dog owner and the property owner, so the victim had the best chance to secure money to pay every recovery bill.
What If I Am Bitten at a Dog Park?
You may be at a local Tulsa park such as Joe Station Dog Park when you suffer a painful bite. It’s normal to wonder if a dog’s owner can be held responsible for your recovery costs in this situation.
The strict liability rule still applies in dog parks. Victims could file injury claims with the dog owner’s insurance provider.
You may also wonder if the City of Tulsa would be liable for a bite at a public dog park. Most dog parks are posted as a “use at your own risk” location. This would usually mean that Tulsa wouldn’t be responsible for your injuries after a bite. But if a hazard was created that went beyond the normal risk of being around so many active dogs, it’s possible the City could have to help victims if they were negligent in fixing the problem.
The same “use at your own risk” liability protection would usually apply to property management companies that operate dog parks at apartment complexes and in other types of neighborhoods.
Compensation Available Through a Dog Bite Injury Claim
Your Tulsa dog bite lawyer will file a dog bite claim on your behalf. Your attorney makes sure every hardship that’s been forced on you and your family is mentioned in the claim. This is critical when you realize that anything left off will be an expense or loss your family would have to absorb.
Your dog bite lawyer would be demanding that these and other hardships will all be considered when determining the size of a dog bite settlement check:
- Compensation for all medical bills and physical therapy costs and estimates on care that could be necessary in the years ahead.
- Long-term compensation for victims who suffer permanent physical disabilities or disfigurements.
- Additional medical support for child dog bite victims. Dog bites in the early years can end up affecting a child’s development in the future. They may need additional surgeries and physical therapy.
- Support for the physical pain victims endure.
- Support for the emotional trauma victims cope with. This might include a real fear of dogs and the anxiety and depression that comes out of such a frightening incident.
- Money to pay for transportation costs to get to doctor’s appointments and to see out-of-state specialists.
- Compensation for the lost income victims suffer if they miss major time at work.
- Money to replace damaged personal property.
- In the case of wrongful death, money so that families can cover 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I wait to file a dog bite accident claim?
Two years. Tulsa dog bite victims have up to two years to file injury claims. Victims shouldn’t wait years though. They should allow their lawyers the chance to collect fresh evidence and track down witnesses.
What if I can’t afford to pay a Tulsa dog bite lawyer?
You won’t need any upfront money to hire Ylla|Gosney Attorneys At Law. We don’t accept payment unless we win your dog bite case. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you receive. We also adjust our fees to make sure you keep what you need to rebuild your life.
Will my family have to go to court to get compensation for a dog bite?
Not usually. Most dog bite cases are settled out of court. Insurance providers want to avoid the cost of a trial and the possible hit to their reputations. Your lawyer would have a strong case prepared in case it became necessary to haul an insurer in front of a judge and jury.
Contact a Tulsa Dog Bite Attorney
We have an extensive background in safeguarding Tulsa dog bite victims. Ylla|Gosney Attorneys At Law also represents child dog bite victims and their families with compassion and care. We go after dog owners and insurance companies while disrupting the lives of victims as little as possible.
We offer a free, no-obligation case review with a real Tulsa Dog Bite Lawyer. Contact us as soon as possible. There’s no pressure to file a lawsuit suit or even use our services if you decide to file. We just want to inform you of everything you need to know before you decide.
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