Were You Attacked by a Dog in Lawton?
Our attorneys will handle the rest while you heal
Most people love animals, especially dogs. Pups are wonderful companions and fun to meet while you’re out and about.
However, dogs are also unpredictable. A seemingly calm dog can do serious damage out of nowhere. Even dogs you know to be docile can sometimes flip temperaments and bite.
When a dog bite causes you serious injury, you are likely owed compensation. Oklahoma has strict liability laws when it comes to bites. However, that doesn’t mean getting compensated is easy.
The Lawton dog bite attorneys at Hoover Rogers Law, LLP attorneys have experience getting real results for victims throughout our area. If you are injured, contact our law firm to see how we can help you.
Common types of dog bite injuries
A dog bite, even from a small dog, can cause seriously painful, disabling, and disfiguring injuries. Common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Scars
- Eye injuries
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Infection
In addition to physical injuries, being attacked by a dog is a seriously traumatic experience that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems. All these costs should be accounted for in your injury claim.
We know the state and local laws that apply to dog bites
Oklahoma law and Lawton municipal codes both require animal owners to keep their pets and livestock under control. Everyone else has a duty not to provoke or abuse the animals into action.
Oklahoma’s “Dangerous Dog Law” says that owners are liable to pay the full amount of damages done by a dog who bites without provocation or otherwise injures any person that is lawfully in a place they may be. In other words, there is no “one free bite” rule in Oklahoma. Dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their pets, even from the first bite.
Lawton has its own laws about dogs and animal ownership that are in addition to the state rules. Under the city’s municipal codes, Lawton officials have the power to order “preventative measures” for confinement and seizure of animals. An order can be given if the animal meets certain dangerous criteria. To determine whether a dog is dangerous, the city will consider:
- Nature of the animal. Behavior, size, temperament, breed, capacity for inflicting serious injury, trained to attack, animal reputation.
- Adequacy of current confinement.
- Surrounding area. Does confinement fit the immediate area? For example, a quick-to-anger dog kept in a fenced yard with a normal lock might be fine for a home in the middle of nowhere. But in a residential neighborhood, the owners may be required to put a childproof lock on the gate.
Menacing behavior by dogs is not tolerated in Lawton. Menacing behavior is defined in city codes as acting, unprovoked, in a way that makes it seem the animal will attack or bite a person or other animal imminently. Dogs who injure trespassers and criminals are usually not considered menacing.
The city may require owners of particularly dangerous animals to purchase a $1 million liability insurance policy. Oklahoma requires owners of dangerous dogs to purchase $50,000 minimum in liability insurance and always walk the animal on a leash with a muzzle.
Another Lawton dog law of note: Dogs are not allowed to walk or run on any concrete park trails or sidewalks unless approved to do so by the city. Exceptions are made for service animals.
Our attorneys stand up for dog bite victims
It doesn't matter how complex the situation is; you can count on our legal team to conduct a thorough investigation that supports your claim for maximum compensation.
While you heal, we will keep your claim moving forward, filing appropriate documents, and keeping you up to date on your case. Our attorneys will negotiate aggressively with the insurance company on your behalf and, if necessary, prepare to go to trial.
We’re also conscious of the sensitivity of these cases. Often, the dog owner is also a friend, neighbor, or relative of the victim. In most cases, we can resolve a dog bite claim by dealing directly with the insurance company, allowing you to preserve your relationship with the owner.
If you were bitten or otherwise injured by a dog or other animal in Lawton, contact Hoover Rogers Law to schedule a free case evaluation. We can help you understand the value of your claim and your legal options. The sooner you contact us the faster we can get started investigating your case. Call, email, or chat online to schedule your consultation with a Lawton dog bite lawyer.