Tulsa Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bite Lawyer Tulsa, OK

If you have recently been injured as a result of a dog attack, it’s important to connect with an experienced Tulsa, OK dog bite lawyer about your rights and options under the law. Thankfully, Oklahoma broadly protects the rights of dog bite victims to an extent that isn’t honored in many other states. As a result, the experienced legal team at Wandres Law, PC is likely in a strong position to help you secure any and all compensation to which you may be entitled at this time.

Dog Bite Lawyer – Tulsa, OK

In Oklahoma, dog bite cases are generally tried under a strict liability standard. Meaning, dog owners are not given the benefit of a “one bite” exception. In some other states, dog owners can’t generally be held liable for a dog attack unless the animal in question has already caused someone harm in a previous bite/attack capacity. By contrast, Oklahoma protects the rights of anyone who is bitten “while such person is in or on a place where they have a lawful right to be” regardless of whether the animal’s owner knew that it had a capacity for vicious behavior.

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Attack

Under Oklahoma’s strict liability approach to dog attacks, the owner(s) of any dog which bites someone is liable for the harm their dog causes, provided that the victim didn’t provoke the dog into attacking. If you were bitten without provocation and you were not on someone else’s property unlawfully at the time of your attack, our Tulsa dog bite lawyer team should be in a strong position to help you recover compensation for your harm.

Chances are that the homeowner or property owner insurance policy of dog owner whose animal bit you will be your most straightforward option to secure compensation. However, you may also be in a position to file for workers’ compensation benefits or personal injury damages, depending upon the unique ins and outs of your circumstances. We’ll assess all the details of your situation to maximize your recovery.

Available Damages in Dog Bite Cases

If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog, a Tulsa, OK dog bite lawyer may be able to help you get compensation. What happened to you was not fair and you deserve justice for that. An experienced lawyer can help you pursue a timely injury claim. Here are several available damages in dog bite cases.

• Medical expenses. Dog bites can lead to serious complications, so it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention. Medical expenses for a dog bite can easily cost thousands of dollars and you should not have to pay for them out of your own pocket. The compensation you recover for your medical bills may include emergency room treatment, rabies shots, wound cleaning, surgery, antibiotics, occupational therapy and plastic surgery for scars.

• Lost wages. While some dog bites are fairly minor, others are severe enough to require time off of work. If you sustained a severe dog bite, you might not be able to perform your tasks at work for some time. You may be able to be compensated for your lost wages. The lost wages may include salary, bonuses and other benefits.

• Property damage. During a dog bite attack, some of your property may have also sustained damage, like your clothes. You may be entitled to compensation for that. Likewise, if you were riding your bicycle when a dog attacked you, you may be able to recover compensation for your bicycle damage. 

• Reduced earning capacity. Some dog bites are so severe that they render a victim disabled. You might not be able to return to work. If you have suffered debilitating injuries from a dog bite, a Tulsa dog bite lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for reduced earning capacity.

• Emotional distress. Dog bites don’t just cause physical injuries. They can also result in emotional distress. Victims may feel depressed and anxious over suffering injuries. They may also be afraid of getting near dogs again and even develop post-traumatic stress disorder. If you have suffered emotional distress after a dog bite, you may benefit from mental health counseling.

• Loss of consortium. Also referred to as loss of affection, loss of consortium describes the love and affection family members of the victim lose from the injury. For example, the dog bite victim may no longer be able to show his or her spouse physical affection. When calculating compensation for loss of consortium, the court may look at multiple factors, such as living arrangements and life expectancy of the victim and spouse.

• Punitive damages. It’s rare for judges to award punitive damages in dog bite cases, but it can happen. Punitive damages aim to punish a defendant for especially careless behavior. For example, if the owner knows his or her dog is aggressive and allows it to walk off a leash in a public park, the person who gets attacked may receive punitive damages. A Tulsa dog bite lawyer may help you go after punitive damages in a dog bite case.

Legal Assistance Is Available

Recovering from a dog attack takes time and usually requires a significant amount of medical care. As a result of lost income and rising medical bills, many dog bite victims find that their household budgets can’t stretch to meet the needs of the moment. Please allow the experienced legal team at Wandres Law, PC. to determine whether you’re entitled to compensation as a result of the harm you’ve suffered. If a homeowner’s insurance policy or some other form of compensation should be covering your losses right now, we can help you to secure what you’re owed in an efficient, effective manner.

Please don’t wait until your bills are piling up to connect with our Tulsa dog bite lawyer team. Schedule a free consultation today and benefit from the peace of mind that so often accompanies fully understanding your rights and options. We look forward to speaking with you.