If an animal attacks you, you may be able to file a lawsuit on the grounds of premises liability. For example, a dog owner is responsible for handling their pet when it is around people. If a dog bites you, the pet’s owner is negligent, and you can hire an Oklahoma premises liability lawyer to help you pursue compensation from this individual.
The team at BDIW Law has many years of experience with premises liability claims relating to animal attacks. Our Oklahoma premises liability lawyer can review your animal attack and help you decide if now is the time to sue a negligent pet owner. To get started, please reach out to us.
Time Is Limited to Sue a Negligent Pet Owner in Oklahoma
Do not try to ignore the fact that an animal attacked you due to a pet owner’s negligence. Following a pet attack, get the contact information of the animal’s owner. You should also go to the hospital, get any medical help you need, and keep track of any expenses you incur.
In Oklahoma, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This is in accordance with Oklahoma Statute §12-95. If you do not file a personal injury lawsuit within this time frame, you cannot do so at a later time.
BDIW Law can help you determine if you qualify for a personal injury claim based on your animal attack. To learn more, please get in touch with us. Our Oklahoma premises liability attorney can take a look at your claim and help you figure out the best course of action.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYYou Need to Be Able to Prove that You Were Injured in an Animal Attack
Following a pet attack, it is not enough to claim you were injured. You must be able to prove that you were injured. To validate your claim, you can provide different pieces of evidence to prove an injury for a personal injury lawsuit.
Evidence that you can provide to show that you were injured in an animal attack includes:
- Photos and videos that show the attack happening or show the severity of your injury
- Reports from police officers who came to the accident scene
- Eyewitness accounts of the accident
- Medical records that show any diagnoses and treatments for your injury
A premises liability lawyer in Oklahoma can help you gather and evaluate evidence. They can use your evidence to prepare an argument that supports your request for damages. Your evidence can help you secure the most damages possible.
Your Animal Attack Injury Can Affect You in Many Ways
An animal attack injury can result in a hospital stay or rehabilitation that requires weeks or months to complete. During this period, you may be unable to work or go to school. Your injury hampers your ability to enjoy your life to the fullest extent.
In a pet attack lawsuit, you can request compensation that accounts for your quantifiable and subjective losses. Quantifiable damages such as loss of income refer to economic losses. Subjective damages such as pain and suffering you incur refer to non-economic losses.
There is no restriction on the amount of damages that you can request in a personal injury case. A premises liability attorney in Oklahoma will encourage you to pursue the most money you can get. They will urge you to seek economic and non-economic damages as well.
It Is Important to Hold a Negligent Pet Owner Accountable
There is no restriction on the economic damages that you can ask for in a personal injury case in Oklahoma. At one point, there was a limit on the non-economic damages that you could pursue in Oklahoma personal injury cases. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2019 ruled a cap on non-economic damages in personal injury lawsuits was unconstitutional.
Your attorney can help you decide on a reasonable amount of damages to request. They will look at your economic and non-economic losses to date. Your lawyer will account for any long-term expenses relating to your animal attack injury, too.
By suing a negligent pet owner for the maximum amount of damages, you can get compensation that you can use to cover the costs of your animal attack injury. On top of that, you can show this pet owner the consequences of their negligence. This may lead the pet owner to be more careful when they bring their animal near people.
It Can Take Months or Years to Resolve an Animal Attack Lawsuit
Your animal attack lawsuit can linger for months or years. Once you file your lawsuit, you and your lawyer will build an argument to support your request for compensation. Your lawyer will make sure that you are fully prepared for your trial.
In a trial, you and the defendant can share your respective arguments. The judge or jury in your case will review all of the information from both parties. They will determine if damages are warranted.
Ideally, you and your attorney can gather a wealth of evidence to support your argument. You and your lawyer can then make it clear to a judge or jury that damages should be awarded. If you succeed, you should expect the defendant in your case to be required to pay you damages.
You May Be Able to Settle Your Animal Attack Lawsuit without a Trial
Even if you file an animal attack lawsuit in Oklahoma, there is no guarantee that your case will go before a judge or jury. In many instances, premises liability lawsuits are settled outside the courtroom. You and the defendant in your case can come to terms on a settlement, and at this point, there is no need for a trial.
The defendant in your case may propose a settlement at any time during your litigation. When they do, you have the opportunity to review a settlement proposal. Generally, an attorney cannot accept a settlement without their client’s consent.
By weighing the pros and cons of a settlement offer with your lawyer, you can decide if it is in your best interests to accept, reject, or decline the proposal. If you determine a settlement is far less than what you want, you do not have to accept it. In this scenario, you and your lawyer remain focused on making your case as strong as possible.
Get Help with Your Animal Attack Lawsuit
BDIW Law is available to help you with your animal attack case. For more information or to request a free case evaluation, please contact us today.
