According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4 million Americans suffer dog bites every year, and 800,000 of those require medical attention.
Injuries from dog bites can include the contracting of diseases such as rabies, emotional trauma, and more serious injuries like brain injury, broken bones, ongoing medical treatment, and even death. Among children who are bitten, 65 percent of the bites occur to the head and neck, according to the American Humane Association.
Laws differ from state to state. In Oklahoma, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog if:
- the person who was injured was lawfully on the property
- the attack was unprovoked
In Arkansas, an owner is strictly liable only if:
- the owner knew that the dog had a tendency to commit such injuries
- the dog is of a vicious species
Otherwise, the owner is only liable if he or she was negligent.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a dog bite, contact the experienced Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers at Carr & Carr today. We have nearly 49 years of helping victims of negligence obtain the compensation and care they need. Though based in offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, our attorneys are also happy to meet you at your home or hospital room.
