Dog Bite Injuries and Homeowners Insurance
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than four million people suffer from dog bite injuries each year. Although the severity of a dog bite can vary, most can be quite painful. In many cases, dog bite victims require extensive medical treatment.
Victims of serious dog bite injuries should consider working with an experienced attorney, such as those at Tawwater Law Firm. A dog bite lawyer can build a case to hold the dog’s owner liable for damages.
In most cases, losses associated with dog bite injuries are covered by homeowners insurance, so our Oklahoma City, OK clients should be able to get financial compensation that covers the full extent of their injuries.
Dog Bite Liability
In the state of Oklahoma, a dog’s owner is nearly always held liable for injuries or damages the dog may cause. Any bite or attack is considered an aggressive act, unless:
- The victim provoked the dog
- The victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property
What sets Oklahoma apart from other states is that it enforces strict liability dog bite laws. This means that a dog owner can be held responsible for any losses associated with a dog bite, even if the dog has never shown any signs of aggression in the past.
In many other states, there is a “one bite” law, which essentially gives owners a one-time pass if a dog without a history of aggression were to suddenly bite or attack someone.
Homeowners Insurance Coverage
When dog owners are found liable for dog bites, they are responsible for compensating the dog bite victim for the full extent of their losses, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Sometimes damages are so extensive that victims are hesitant to seek compensation because they don’t believe that the dog’s owner has the means to pay for such losses. However, in many cases, the damages of a dog bite will be covered by the dog owner’s homeowners insurance, or even their rental insurance.
One thing that dog bite victims need to be cautious of is that homeowners insurance companies are eager to minimize their expenses. To avoid high costs, they will often offer a quick settlement. A settlement may sound good initially, but it may not account for the victim’s full losses or the potential cost of future medical expenses.
Rather than accepting an insurance company’s first offer, we advise dog bite victims to work with one of our dog bite lawyers. Our attorneys will gather the evidence necessary to build a strong case so you can receive a just settlement.
Learn More
Dog bite victims deserve compensation for the full extent of their injuries, and an experienced dog bite lawyer can help. If you would like to learn more about your rights as a dog bite victim, contact us at your earliest convenience. Call (405) 607-1400 to discuss the details of your case with one of the attorneys at Tawwater Law Firm.