DOG BITES ATTORNEY IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Several Oklahoma residents are victims of dog attacks, dog bites, and dog-related injuries every year. According to the most recent statistics from the Insurance Information Institute, Oklahoma residents filed about 229 dog claims bites in 2019. If you or a loved one were bitten or attacked by a dog, you are within your rights to seek fair compensation for your injuries by filing an injury claim against the dog's owner.

With over 20 years of extensive experience, Attorney Stan Bearden has devoted his career to advocating for the rights of dog bite victims and their loved ones. As a skilled Oklahoma personal injury attorney, he can investigate every aspect of your unique circumstances and explore your available options to recover damages. Attorney Stan Bearden can help protect your best interests and help pursue your deserved financial compensation for dog bite injuries, pain, discomfort, suffering, lost wages, and other potential damages.

Stan Bearden Law Firm proudly serves clients across Tulsa, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas.

OKLAHOMA DOG BITE LAW

Dog bite laws are designed to protect individuals from possible dog bites and other animal attacks and help victims recover damages for their injuries. However, these dog bite statutes and rules often vary from state to state.

About dog bites, Oklahoma is a statutory strict liability state. According to the state's dog bite laws, the owner of any dog shall be held civilly or financially liable for any personal injury or damages caused by their dog to the full amount.

Under Oklahoma Statutes Section 4-42.1, "The owner or owners of any dog shall be liable for damages to the full amount of any damages sustained when his dog, without provocation, bites or injures any person while such person is in or on a place where he has a lawful right to be."

LIABILITY IN A DOG BITE CASE

As mentioned earlier, Oklahoma is a strict liability dog bite state. Victims of dog bites are not required to prove negligence in their case. The dog's owners will be fully responsible for the injuries and damages caused by their dogs to the full amount, provided that the victim was lawfully on the property when the incident occurred.

MODIFIED COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE IN OKLAHOMA

Additionally, Oklahoma follows the "modified comparative fault" rule, with a 51% bar. According to the principle, you will be allowed to recover damages for your dog bite injuries if you are found to be equally or partially (50% or less) responsible for your injuries. However, the amount of compensation that may be recovered will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Under Oklahoma's modified comparative fault rule, you are completely barred from seeking any damages if you are found to be mostly (more than 50%) at fault for your injuries or the incident.

FILING A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM

To recover damages for your dog bite injuries, you can:

• File an injury claim with your own insurance carrier.

• File a third-party claim directly with the insurance provider of the dog's owner.

• File a personal injury lawsuit against the dog's owner in civil court.

If you or someone you know has been attacked or bitten by a dog, you need to reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney straight away.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two (2) years from the date the injury occurred. Thus, the dog bite victim must bring a civil action in court to recover damages for their injuries within two years from the date the dog bite or dog attack incident occurred.

AVAILABLE DAMAGES

The following damages may be recovered by filing a dog bite claim in Oklahoma:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical treatment

• Lost wages and benefits

• Loss of or reduced earning capacity

• Psychological trauma

• Physical therapy

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Permanent disability

• Emotional distress

• Pain and suffering

• Travel expenses

• Mental anguish

• Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the dog-bite injuries, including medications and personal care

• Funeral and burial expenses if the victim dies.

A knowledgeable dog bite injuries attorney can carefully evaluate all of the details of your unique situation, determine the magnitude of your injuries, and help you pursue the financial justice you deserve.

HOW LEGAL COUNSEL CAN HELP

Being bitten or attacked by a dog can be a difficult and emotional experience. If you're unlucky, the dog bite or attack can result in severe injuries, hospitalization, missed time at work, or infection, such as sepsis, rabies, or tetanus. Nonetheless, you don't have to suffer the financial liability and pain alone. Therefore, you need to retain an experienced personal injury attorney to help fight for your best interest and help seek fair financial compensation for your injuries.

At Stan Bearden Law Firm, Attorney Stan Bearden has the experience, resources, and diligence to assist, support, and represent clients in their dog bite claims. As your legal counsel, he will evaluate and investigate all of the surrounding facts of your case, determine the magnitude of your injuries, and help file your injury claims.