Seasoned Attorneys Representing Victims of Dog Bites & Animal Attacks in Tulsa
The skilled lawyers at The Barkett Law Firm have represented many people injured by dog bites and animal attacks in the Tulsa area. Sadly, children are often the victims in these cases, with many suffering disfigurement, scarring and emotional trauma at a young age. Some even lose their lives. We work tirelessly to help families obtain fair compensation in these devastating circumstances, exploring every option for maximum recovery.
Oklahoma dog bite law
Oklahoma law is favorable to victims of dog bites and animal-related injuries the dog owner is held responsible for injuries as long as the victim was not a trespasser and did not provoke the dog. The law specifically states, “The owner or owners of any dog shall be liable for damages to the full amount of any damages sustained when his or her dog, without provocation, bites or injures any person while such person is in or on a place where he or she has a lawful right to be.”
Therefore, the two key elements necessary to prove an Oklahoma dog bite claim are:
- That the defendant was the owner of the dog that attacked
- That a dog bite occurred
In many dog bite cases, the victim and the dog owner know each other; however, if you do not know a dog’s owner, he or she can usually be identified with licensing and vaccination records, as well as testimony of witnesses. The second element of a dog bite claim can be established with photographs, medical records, witness statements or other evidence that the dog caused physical harm.
Many people believe that a dog must have shown aggressive behavior before biting a person, and that the dog owner knew the dog was aggressive, in order to hold the owner responsible for a personal injury. Under Oklahoma law, however, this is simply not true. A dog’s good behavior before an attack does not shield the owner from liability.
Pit bull bites & attacks
Studies have shown that almost 90% of all off-property dog bite and attack cases involve pit bulls. While some other breeds of dog are considered more prone to bite or more generally aggressive, pit bulls combine their sometimes aggressive behavior with a powerful jaw and heavily muscled frame. This mix of temperament and strength increase the likelihood of a dog bite incident resulting in serious injuries, such as head injuries and paralysis.
At The Barkett Law Firm, we handled a case in which a seven-year-old was mauled by two pit bulls, resulting in serious injuries that required facial reconstruction. Unfortunately, children are most likely to attempt to pet a pit bull and are least able to protect themselves. Because of a child’s small size, sensitive areas like their heads, faces and necks are easy for a dog to grab.
Contact a reliable legal team in Tulsa today
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, contact The Barkett Law Firm in Tulsa today for a free initial consultation. We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover on your behalf.