Ylla | Gosney represents dog bite injury victims in Norman, OK. Unfortunately, thousands of Oklahomans are seriously injured from vicious dog attacks every year. These instances are typically caused by careless dog owners who have not properly trained or restrained their dog from harming others. The injuries sustained by dog attack victims can range from trauma to life-threatening injuries, as well as permanent scarring.
Fortunately, at Ylla | Gosney, we hold dog owners responsible under Oklahoma’s strict liability laws. Our firm specializes in helping Norman, OK, dog bite victims reach successful settlements for their dog bite incidents, so they can move on with their lives and put this traumatic event behind them.
For more information, contact Ylla | Gosney today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and see what legal options are available for your situation.
How Ylla Gosney Can Help Dog Bite Accident Victims in Norman OK
There are many dog-friendly places in Norman, OK, with dog parks like Norman Community Dog Park and Ruby Grant Dog Park being some of the most popular spots for dog owners to bring their dogs. However, when a dog is in a new environment or around new people, and their owner does not have them properly restrained, they can bite.
According to the State of Oklahoma, it is unlawful for a dog to be “at large.” The term at large means when the dog is off-leash or not under the direct control of the owner. Direct control, according to statute 8-38 of Oklahoma’s Municipal Code, means immediate, continuous, and physical control of a dog at all times by means of a leash, cord, rope, or chain.
So, if a dog is not properly restrained (leash, fence, or rope) and causes you to suffer an injury, the law is on your side, and the owner can be held responsible for damages. At Ylla | Gosney, we understand how to utilize the law to protect dog bite victims in Norman, OK, and will ensure they are fully compensated for the following damages:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the dog owner engaged in reckless behavior with the intention of hurting you, such as training the dog to harm you or knowingly putting you in harm’s way, then you could sue for punitive damages
Do I Have a Dog Bite Case?
It is important to know that, in Oklahoma, a dog does not get “one free bite” without the owner being liable. Also, it does not matter if the dog has shown prior aggressive behavior. If a dog bites someone, then the owner is liable. So, you have a dog bite case if someone bites you. This is known as strict liability law and the owner can be held responsible, even if there is no proof that the owner was negligent.
Exceptions to this strict liability would mean the owner is not responsible if you provoked the dog into biting you, or you were unlawfully trespassing onto someone else’s property and got bitten. A person is not trespassing if they are lawfully on the property of the owner of the dog either expressly or implied.
The types of dog bite cases we typically see in Norman, OK, include:
- Dog bite injury cases involving pit bulls, rottweilers, dobermans, chow chows, german shepherds, and large breeds known for aggressive behavior
- Small breed dog attacks can still cause serious injury, such as a scratched retina or permanent scarring. These breeds often include terriers, chihuahuas, and dachshunds.
- Dog bite injury cases where the dog is not properly enclosed in a fenced yard and escapes.
- Dog bite cases where a dog has bitten someone before, and the proper precautions were not taken to prevent them from biting someone else.
Legal Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Incident in Norman OK
To take the appropriate legal action and begin building your case after a dog bite incident, you should:
- Document the incident: take photos and write down details of your injuries, the dog, and your surroundings.
- Exchange information with the dog owner: get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance info. If any witnesses are on the scene, collect their contact information and record their testimony if possible.
- Seek immediate medical attention: go to the nearest emergency room or see your primary care physician as soon as possible. Dog bites can lead to dangerous infections. Also, any delay in medical treatment could be harmful to your personal injury case.
- Report the incident to Animal Control: contact your local animal control agency and report the bite. An investigation by animal control will not only be helpful to your case but can also prevent future injuries.
- Speak to an attorney: discuss your legal options with an experienced Dog Bite Attorney by contacting Ylla Gosney.
Dog Bite Settlements in Norman OK
The settlement amount for a dog bite injury claim varies significantly on a case-by-case basis. However, there are various factors that can help determine the value of your case, such as:
- Extent of damages
- Medical treatment needed
- Insurance coverage limit
- Determination of fault
When it comes to your dog bite settlement, the details of your case matter. For example, if you only sustained minor injuries from the attack or you were partially liable for the incident, your settlement could result in a lower amount. So, when considering settlements for dog bite injuries, they will generally fall into three categories:
- Low Settlements: Minor accidents with little to no injuries can result in a low settlement in the low thousands to cover damage done to your property and medical bills to treat minor injuries.
- Moderate Settlements: moderate settlements can range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. These dog bite cases usually involve medical treatment for significant injuries, some missed work, and longer recovery periods.
- High Settlements: High settlements typically involve dog bite injury incidents with severe injuries, long-term medical treatment, permanent disabilities, or fatalities. Settlements can be substantial, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars and up to millions of dollars.
Dog Bite Severity in Norman OK Dog Bite Cases
Another factor that can help determine the value of a dog bite case, is the level of dog bite severity. Usually, the more severe a dog bite is, the higher the settlement. Dog bite severity is graded on the Dunbar Bite Scale, which includes the following levels:
- Level 1: Aggressive behavior, but no skin contact. This could mean the dog was growling, showing its teeth, or snapping at someone.
- Level 2: Teeth make contact with a victim but does not break their skin. A dog will typically do this when it is stressed or uncomfortable. The result is usually teeth marks on the victims without breaking the skin.
- Level 3: A single bite with shallow wounds. Level 3 dog bites are defined by the number of punctures from a shallow bite, with no bite going deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. For a level 3 dog bite to occur, a dog must move beyond warning behavior and inflict minor to moderate injury.
- Level 4: A single bite with deep wounds. A level 4 bite consists of one to four deep punctures of a person’s skin, with at least one puncture deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. These are dangerous bites, as the dog may shake its head while biting, refusing to let go.
- Level 5: Level five bites are similar to level four, only they have multiple bites that occur during the attack. Dogs responsible for level 5 bites are considered dangerous and may need rehabilitation.
- Level 6: This level results in the death of a victim, or flesh consumed. Dogs who commit level 6 bites are not safe to be around humans or other animals. In these rare cases, authorities will determine if euthanasia is necessary.
FAQ
Q: What is the Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Oklahoma?
A: In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for dog bite lawsuits is two years. A person has two years from the date the incident occurred to file a lawsuit against the owner.
Q: Does strict liability apply to all animals?
A: No, strict liability is limited to certain domestic animals like dogs.
Q: How does “duty of care” apply to a Norman, OK, dog bite incident?
A: Dog owners must exercise a “duty of care” to take reasonable steps to maintain their dog, prevent their dog from escaping, and warn visitors if their dog is inclined to bite people.
Q: How many dog bite injury cases end up going to trial?
A: Very few dog bite injury cases go to trial. If there is an unwillingness to settle, then you will go to trial. However, 95% of civil cases will end up settling out of court.
Contact Ylla | Gosney Norman OK Dog Bite Lawyers
Dog bites can be extremely traumatic and costly. By law, injured dog bite victims have the right to hold dog owners responsible for damages done to their lives through a lawsuit. The word “lawsuit” tends to have a negative connotation, implying years of legal battles and financially going after other individuals. But at Ylla | Gosney, it’s different.
Our firm is here to help injured dog bite victims in Norman, OK, recover the compensation they need to put this traumatic event behind. We have the legal resources to get your case resolved and get the financial results you need quickly and efficiently.
Contact Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.