Millions of Americans are bitten by animals every year. Worse, many victims are children. It is estimated that victims of dog bites alone suffer more than $1 billion in monetary damages every year.

While laws relating to dog bites vary widely from one state to another, Oklahoma is relatively favorable to victims of dog-related injuries. Oklahoma dog bite law specifically states:

§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.

§4-42.2. For the purpose of this act a person shall be considered to be lawfully upon the private property of the owner of a dog when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state, or by the laws of the United States, or the postal regulations of the United States, or when reading meters, or making repairs to any public utility or service located on said premises, or when working on said property at the request of the owner or any tenant having a lease upon any portion of said property, or when on such property upon the invitation, either  expressed or implied, of the owner or lessee of such property. The term “public place” shall, for the purpose of this act, mean and include any and all public buildings, parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities, and any and all places of business, amusement or entertainment which are privately owned, wherein merchandise, property, services, entertainment or facilities are offered for sale, hire, lease, or use.

The recovery process for victims of dog-related injuries can be long, painful and expensive. Fortunately, victims can recover damages to cover medical treatments, medications, future medical treatments, psychological counseling and lost wages. Claims can be made against the dog’s owner, his or her insurance company and, in certain situations, third parties whose negligence may have contributed to the injuries.

What should you do if a dog or other animal has injured you? Here are some tips:

• Seek immediate medical attention
• Contact the police about your injury and request a copy of their report
• Obtain the name, address, phone number and other contact information of the dog’s owner, if possible
• Attempt to get names and contact information from any witnesses to the attack
• Take photographs of the animal responsible and the area where the attack occurred
• Take photographs of your injuries
• Set aside and save any clothing, personal property or other items that were damaged in the attack

In addition, you should contact us as soon as possible for legal representation. Our attorneys have experience helping dog bite victims in Oklahoma receive fair compensation for their injuries. Call us today for a free evaluation of your case.