Dog Bites/Attacks dog bite lawyer dog bite lawsuit
Strict Liability in Oklahoma
The state imposes “strict liability” for dog attacks. Strict liability means that an individual may be held liable for damages regardless of intent. In the case of a dog bite, the dog owner can be held liable for any injuries their dog inflicts when
- The victim of the injury did not provoke the dog, and
- The victim was lawfully on the property where the bite occurred. (This protects mail carriers, meter readers and invited guests. Trespassers are not protected).
Just as property owners are responsible for keeping their properties safe for visitors, dog owners are responsible for their dogs’ actions.
The laws in Oklahoma protect dog bite victims. Oklahoma has strict dog bite statutes. Dogs in Oklahoma do not get “one free bite" as they do in other states.
Dog attacks victimize adults and children, but small children and the elderly are most likely to be fatally injured in a dog attack.
Injuries caused by dog bites and attacks can include:
- Broken and crushed bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lacerations
- Ligament damage
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Psychological damage
- Severed body parts
- Wrongful death
What to Do After a Dog Attack
In the immediate aftermath of a dog attack, you should do the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Follow your doctor’s wound-care orders
- Report the incident to your local animal control
- Identify witnesses
- Take pictures of the bite wound
- Document details of the incident dog bite lawyer dog bite claims dog bite lawsuit