Getting bitten by a dog can be a terrifying experience. A dog attack can leave both physical and mental scars that may never fully disappear. If a dog bit you, you could be entitled to compensation from the dog’s owner. A dog bite can require expensive medical procedures as well as other costs that can be challenging to cover without financial compensation.
At BDIW Law, we understand the challenges that dog bite victims often face. Our team of Oklahoma City dog bite lawyers will work around the clock to help ensure that you recover the compensation you need and deserve after an attack. Contact us today by phone or through our website to schedule your free consultation with a member of our team.
Why You Should Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Oklahoma City
If you were attacked by a dog, recovering compensation can be critical. However, you have more important things to worry about than dealing with insurance companies or filing a personal injury lawsuit. When you hire an Oklahoma City dog bite lawyer to help with your case, you can focus your attention on healing from your injury and getting your life back to normal.
With an experienced attorney on your side, you can feel confident that your financial future is in good hands. Your lawyer will take over all aspects of your case and proceed with the necessary steps to get you the money you need. While your attorney will consult you about any essential decisions that need to be made, they will handle the everyday tasks associated with your case.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYPay Attention to the Statute of Limitations When Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit
When attempting to recover compensation from a dog owner through a personal injury lawsuit, it is critical that you check the statute of limitations for the state where the dog bite occurred. In Oklahoma, attack victims are generally given two years from the date of a dog bite to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
If you don’t get the necessary paperwork filed on time, you will likely be unable to recover compensation. Of course, there are situations where the standard deadline does not apply. Depending on the particular details of your case, you could find that you can still file even if two years have already passed. Alternatively, you could be restricted to filing in a shorter time frame.
Hiring an Oklahoma City dog bite attorney is the best way to ensure that you are aware of the exact deadlines that apply to your case and get all your paperwork submitted on time.
Damages You Can Pursue After Getting Bitten by a Dog
If you suffered an injury after being attacked by a dog, you will likely be able to pursue a range of damages. The specific damages you can collect will depend on the severity of your injury and other details of your case.
Economic Damages
After a dog bite injury, any financial losses you suffer as a result can be categorized as economic damages. The most often claimed economic damages after a dog bite include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
All of the other losses caused by your dog bite injury fall into the category of non-economic damages. The most often claimed non-economic damages after a dog bite include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are quite different from the compensatory damages already mentioned. While economic and non-economic damages focus on the losses suffered by an accident victim, punitive damages are more concerned with the actions taken by the at-fault party. Punitive damages are meant as a punishment for particularly egregious actions.
Dog Bite Attorneys Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
While some lawyers charge their clients a large fee to retain their services, along with a high hourly rate, this is not the case with our dog bite lawyers. Instead, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t pay your attorney unless you recover damages from the liable party.
The only fee a dog bite attorney will collect will be assessed as a fixed percentage of the compensation you receive at the conclusion of your case. When working with one of these lawyers, you will never have to worry about paying any money out of your own pocket.
Use Caution When Dealing With an Insurance Company After a Dog Bite
When dealing with an insurance company after getting bitten by a dog, you need to be cautious. These companies will look for any excuse they can use to deny or devalue your claim. There are a number of tricks that insurance adjusters will use to attempt to minimize the amount of money they have to pay to claimants.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself against the tactics employed by these companies is to decline to speak with them until you hire an attorney. Once you have legal representation, the insurer will be forced to communicate with you through your lawyer. This will enable your attorney to act as a buffer and give you the best chance of recovering the money you need.
Get a Free Consultation With a Dog Bite Attorney in Oklahoma City Today
Hiring a dog bite attorney after an attack will put you in the best position to recover the compensation you deserve. At BDIW, our team of Oklahoma dog bite injury lawyers has the experience necessary to give you the best odds of recovering the full value of your claim.
Schedule your free case review today by giving us a call or completing the contact form on this site.