Defective Medical Equipment: Medical Device Recalls
An Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer represents people who have been injured through the negligence or strict liability of another person or entity. Automobile accidents, premises liability accidents, products liability accidents, and medical malpractice are among the most commonly litigated personal injury cases. Medical malpractice refers to the negligence of health care professionals in providing an appropriate standard of care, but there are other types of medical litigation for people whose medical treatment does more harm than good or leaves them with serious illness or injury. An Oklahoma City defective drugs lawyer handles pharmaceutical litigation for those harmed by dangerous or defective medications; a defective products lawyer in Oklahoma City handles litigation against companies responsible for defective medical devices and equipment.
Frequently, defective product recalls are issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Recalls in conjunction with the CPSC involve consumer products such has motor vehicles and auto parts, electronics, tools, household products, and child products. Defective drug recalls and medical device recalls are generally issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to the FDA website, medical device recalls are issued when "a medical device is defective, when it could be a risk to health, or when it is both defective and a risk to health." Medical device recalls result in either the correction of the problem with the defective device or in the removal of the product from the market. Unfortunately, many frequently recalled medical devices have been surgically implanted in the patient by the time the risks associated with the defective products are discovered. Breast implants, knee implants, hip replacement devices, and pacemakers have all been subject to FDA recalls. In cases of recalled implants, a physician must weigh the risks of leaving the device in the patient against the risks of surgery to remove the device and replace it with a fully-functioning device.
A medical device manufacturer may voluntarily recall a product for correction or removal when they become aware that the device does not meet FDA guidelines or violates FDA law. In some situations, the FDA itself may mandate the recall of a defective medical device. Unfortunately, recalls are not issued until health risks associated with the use of the device are reported. By the time a medical manufacturer or the FDA becomes aware that the health risks of a specific device outweigh the benefits of use, serious injury may have already occurred.
Patients injured by a defective medical device may be able to obtain financial compensation through a products liability lawsuit, a medical malpractice lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit, or a class action lawsuit against the medical manufacturer or others involved in using the defective device in the patient's treatment. For more information about pursuing medical litigation regarding malpractice, defective drugs, or defective medical equipment, contact Phillips & Bailey to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Oklahoma City.
Tassimo Single-Cup Coffee Makers Recalled Due to Burn Hazard
Single-serve coffeemakers have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Now, one popular brand of single-cup brewers has been recalled as a severe burn hazard. Product liability lawyers in Oklahoma City and across the United States and Canada will be keeping an eye on developments and recalls associated with these coffee brewers and the risks they pose for consumers.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada, and BSH Home Appliances Corporation have issued a recall 835,000 Tassimo brewers in the United States; 900,000 Tassimo brewers in Canada; and 4 million "T-Discs" used in the defective coffeemakers.
According to the CPSC, there have been 140 reports of the T-Disc that contains the coffee or tea used in the single-serve brewer exploding during use, spraying hot liquid, coffee grounds, or tea leaves. In these reported incidents, 37 individuals received second-degree burns, including a 10-year-old girl whose second degree burns to the face and neck required hospitalization.
The brewers affected by the recall include Tassimo brewers labeled with the Bosch brand and Tassimo Professional brewers:
- Bosch models TAS100, TAS200, TAS451, TAS46, TAS654; date codes FD 8806 through 9109
- Tassimo Professional model TAS6512CUL
Date codes for all affected models begin with FD and include those ranging from FD 8806 to FD 9109.
Product liability refers to the responsibility of anyone involved in the development, production, or distribution of a product for ensuring the product is safe for consumers when used as intended or in a foreseeable manner. If a dangerous product or defective product causes injury or death, the injured victim or surviving family members have the right to seek financial compensation for the personal injury or wrongful death. Product liability lawsuits are filed on the basis of negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty. An Oklahoma City products liability lawyer can explain the difference in these three legal theories and can determine which is the most sound basis for your specific personal injury lawsuit.
Consumers should be able to expect that the products they use are free from unreasonable risks or hazards. They should have the right to assume that a product will function as intended and will not cause serious risk of burns, electrical shock, eye injury, or other serious injuries associated with defective appliances and household products. If you have received a serious burn as a result of using the Tassimo brewer or other defective product, contact Phillips and Bailey to speak with an Oklahoma City defective products lawyer who can help you find financial compensation for your injuries.
Oklahoma Car Accident Lawsuits: Who is Liable?
Each year approximately 25,000 people are injured in automobile accidents in Oklahoma. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 197 fatal accidents in Oklahoma City alone in 2010. For those injured in a car accident and for the surviving family members of those killed in roadway accidents, financial compensation may be available through a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit. An Oklahoma City car accident lawyer can file a civil suit against those responsible for the accident which caused the plaintiff's injury or loss.
Those suffering whiplash injury, catastrophic injury, or the wrongful death of a loved one will, unfortunately, face extreme financial hardship in addition to the emotional and physical trauma inflicted by the accident. Through accident litigation, plaintiffs may be able to recoup expenses and even obtain financial compensation for pain and suffering and loss of companionship. An Oklahoma City accident attorney with Phillips & Bailey will work aggressively to get his or her clients maximum compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, reduced income or earning potential, burial expenses, and more.
One reason it is critical to proceed with a civil suit represented by a car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City is to ensure that all avenues for compensation have been explored. Obviously, a reckless driver, drunk driver, or distracted driver may be a defendant in the lawsuit, but often, there are several other parties who may have contributed to the accident, and therefore, may be held liable for their role. It is particularly important to identify these negligent parties when the driver is uninsured or under-insured and is unable to provide the financial compensation needed by the plaintiff for the fullest recovery.
Non-driver parties who may be considered responsible for an automobile accident include:
- Automobile manufacturers responsible for defective vehicles or auto parts
- Vehicle owners who allow their automobiles to be driven by reckless drivers
- Cities, counties, and public entities responsible for poorly designed or inadequately maintained roadways
- Maintenance contractors who improperly maintain or repair vehicles
- Employers whose policies cause drivers to practice unsafe driving or whose employees cause an accident while on the job
- Parents who allow an unsafe teen driver to drive the family vehicle or who provide a vehicle for a reckless teen driver
By fully identifying any parties potentially responsible for causing or contributing to a motor vehicle accident, a plaintiff assures himself or herself that all possible sources of recovery are addressed. At Phillips and Bailey, our Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys evaluate each case using thorough investigative techniques and innovative resources to find all sources of accident liability. Our diligence helps our clients achieve a favorable settlement or judgment following a car accident in Oklahoma.
CPSC Announces Bumbleride Stroller & Weeplay Clothes Recalls
Some of the most emotionally difficult personal injury cases are those handled by an Oklahoma City child injury lawyer. Despite the best efforts of even the most vigilant parents, sometimes, children are subject to serious injuries on playgrounds, in swimming pools, and at day care facilities. Frequently, child injury lawsuits are the result of dangerous and defective products such as defective toys, dangerous baby products, and even defective children's clothing.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent government agency authorized to regulate the manufacture and sale of consumer products in order to assure that consumers are protected from unreasonable risk of injury from these products. While the CPSC sometimes mandates recalls, it also encourages voluntary recalls of products which may carry injury risks, and it announces both voluntary and mandatory recalls via the CPSC website.
A few days ago, the CPSC announced the recall of defective baby products from two companies. Recalls include:
- Bumbleride Indie and Indie Twin Strollers
- Weeplay Kids infant clothing labeled as Carter's Watch the Wear Bodysuits and Watch the Wear Sleep 'n Play
The Bumbleride Indie Strollers and Indie Twin Strollers are considered a fall hazard. The strollers, sold at Buy Buy Baby and online retailers, are susceptible to the front wheel breaking at the axel hub, which can cause the strollers to tip over. The CPSC reports 36 instances of a broken front wheel, with two of those incidents resulting in minor child injury as the stroller tipped over. If your child has been injured while riding in a defective stroller, quickly contact an Oklahoma City products liability lawyer to see what options may be available to you.
Choking is one of the greatest child injury threats from defective products. Weeplay Kids LLC has issued a voluntary recall of infant bodysuits after more than 30 reports that the snaps can detach and pose a choking hazard. Though no injuries have yet been reported, Weeplay Kids is recalling several styles of their Carter's Watch the Wear Bodysuits and Carter's Watch the Wear Sleep 'n Play garments. The recalled baby clothing was sold at budget retailers between November 2010 and August 2011.
Dangerous and defective child products are among the leading causes of serious child injury. Falls from strollers, high chairs, and strollers can lead to traumatic brain injury and death. If your child has suffered serious injury as a result of a dangerous or defective baby product, call Phillips and Bailey to speak with a children's product liability lawyer in Oklahoma City.
Pfizer Birth Control Recall May Lead to Class Action Lawsuits
Last week, leading pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced the recall of one million packets of oral contraceptive birth control pills. According to Pfizer, a "packaging error" resulted in these packets containing insufficient hormone to prevent pregnancy. Women who have been taking the birth control affected by the recall have been advised to immediately begin using a non-hormonal contraceptive, to return the defective drugs to their pharmacists, and to see their doctors for a pregnancy test. If use of the defective birth control pills has resulted in an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, local women may wish to consult an Oklahoma pharmaceutical litigation lawyer or a class action lawyer in Oklahoma City.
About the Pfizer Birth Control Recall
Pfizer, Inc. recalled fourteen lots of Lo/Ovral-28 and fourteen lots of its generic form, Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, after it was discovered that packaging error led to placebo pills being interspersed with active pills. Lo/Ovral-28, like many other popular oral contraceptive pills, uses three weeks of active pills and one week of placebo pills. The placebo pills, which are to be taken at the beginning of a woman's menstrual cycle, were improperly placed in the packaging. Women taking the affected packets may have taken these pills out of order, resulting in a lack of hormonal protection against conception during ovulation.
The placebo pills are generally a different color than the active pills. The packaging error was discovered when one observant woman contacted her doctor after noticing a colored pill in the middle of her packet. Pfizer says the mistake is due to both a manufacturing error and a failure in the visual inspection.
The affected pills are manufactured by Pfizer, the world's largest drug company, and marketed by Akrimax Rx Products and Akrimax Pharmaceuticals. Exact lot numbers can be found on the birth control recall press release on the FDA website.
What Are the Legal Implications of the Pfizer Birth Control Recall?
If a woman becomes pregnant after using the inadequate birth control, she may be able to successfully pursue pharmaceutical litigation. Generally, cases involving dangerous or defective drugs are litigated in a class action lawsuit, in which a group of people suffering ill effects as a result of taking these drugs bring suit together to accomplish receipt of compensation.
Birth control litigation in the past has taken the form of class action lawsuits against contraceptives that have caused significant health risks, including a higher risk of blood clots. Yaz and Yasmin, created by Bayer AG, have been subject to civil litigation and to strict labeling requirements.
There have also been significant lawsuits arising out of unplanned pregnancies. These include medical malpractice suits against surgeons who improperly performed vasectomies and civil litigation against a pharmacy that improperly filled a birth control prescription.
Oklahoma women are urged to check the lot numbers of their birth control against the lot numbers recalled by Pfizer. If they are affected by the recall, they should immediately contact a physician to find out if they are pregnant. If taking the improperly packaged birth control resulted in an unplanned pregnancy, a woman should consult an Oklahoma City class action lawyer or a pharmaceutical litigation attorney in Oklahoma for an evaluation of her case and to see if any legal remedies are available.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Enduring the physical recovery of an injury caused by another person’s negligence is both painful and frustrating. At the personal injury law practice of Price Benowitz LLP, we believe that those whose negligence, carelessness, or recklessness causes an accident or injury should be held financially accountable for the consequences. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Price Benowitz LLP serves D.C., Maryland, and Virginia as a leader in personal injury litigation.
Price Benowitz LLP was co-founded by DC personal injury lawyer Seth Price and criminal defense attorney David Benowitz. These esteemed attorneys built the law firm on a commitment to providing exceptional legal representation in both criminal and civil matters. The personal injury practice of Price Benowitz LLP is dedicated to protecting the rights and livelihood of those injured in accidents or harmed by medical malpractice. We work aggressively to obtain the highest possible financial compensation for our clients involved in personal injury, medical malpractice, or wrongful death litigation.
Maryland personal injury lawyer Chamille Kittles leads the firm’s personal injury practice from the firm’s offices in Baltimore, Rockville, and Ellicott City. Ms. Kittles and attorney Rabihah Scott handle the firm’s cases in Montgomery County, Howard County, and Prince George’s County, Maryland. Both of these seasoned personal injury lawyers are licensed to practice in both DC and Maryland, and they handle the firm’s cases in both locations.
In Virginia, the personal injury practice of Price Benowitz LLP is headed by Virginia personal injury lawyer Thomas Soldan. With offices in Leesburg and Fairfax, Virginia, Mr. Soldan represents the firm’s clients in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties. An experienced and highly qualified attorney, Thomas Soldan is the current president of the Fauquier Bar Association and Insurance Regulation vice chair with the American Bar Association.
In addition to handling Virginia personal injury litigation for Price Benowitz LLP, Thomas Soldan also represents the firm as an experienced Virginia reckless driving lawyer. Along with Mr. Soldan, attorneys Vanessa Hicks and Ann Thayer provide skillful and thorough defense against criminal traffic charges. Virginia has some notoriously strict traffic laws, and penalties can be harsh for those charged with serious traffic violations. Speeding, failure to yield, and illegal passing can result in reckless driving charges, punishable by fines, license suspension, and even jail time. The Virginia reckless driving lawyers with Price Benowitz LLP can work to minimize or avoid consequences of a criminal traffic conviction, helping their clients preserve their driving privileges, their freedom, and their dignity. Those charged with reckless driving, DUI, or driving with a suspended license should contact the Virginia offices of Price Benowitz LLP to set up a free case evaluation with a qualified Virginia reckless driving lawyer.
Offering high quality criminal defense and personal injury representation, the law firm of Price Benowitz LLP has established itself as a leader in the legal field. Our clients enter the courtroom with the confidence that comes from knowing they are well represented by thorough, committed professionals who are determined to achieving results. To find a DC personal injury lawyer, Maryland personal injury lawyer, Virginia personal injury lawyer, or Virginia reckless driving lawyer, call the Price Benowitz LLP office nearest you.
Oklahoma Lawsuit Filed after Playground Death
Oklahoma personal injury attorneys help injured victims obtain financial compensation from injuries resulting from someone else's negligence. In some cases, a defective product may lead to the death of its user; in wrongful death cases, surviving dependents may file suit seeking compensation for financial and emotional damages resulting from the death of their loved one. Among the most unfortunate and tragic personal injury cases are those involving children. Oklahoma child injury lawyers will be closely monitoring the outcome of a recently filed lawsuit pertaining to the school playground death of an Oklahoma fourth grader.
Cathy Collins, the mother of the girl suffering a fatal head injury in a playground accident, filed suit last month against the manufacturer of the playground equipment involved in the accident, the local retailer which sold the product to the school, and the Wyandotte School District.
Collins's daughter, Alyssa Avila, was only nine years old when she fell from the X-Wave, a piece of playground equipment similar to a teeter-totter. The X-Wave moves in multiple sections and can seat up to twenty children at a time. In the accident, Alyssa fell from the X-Wave and was apparently unharmed. However, as she was getting up, a section of the X-Wave came down and struck her on the head. Alyssa was in full cardiac arrest when she was transported from the school, and she died of severe concussion at Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami, Oklahoma.
After the accident, Wyandotte Elementary School dismantled the X-Wave and placed it in a secure storage area. Several other Oklahoma school districts also removed similar equipment from their playgrounds. However, Xccent, Inc., maker of the X-Wave, still lists the dangerous equipment as available on its website.
Cathy Collins's Oklahoma personal injury lawyer holds Xccent, Inc., accountable for the defective design of the X-Wave. The lawsuit further claims that Noah's Parks and Playgrounds of Edmond, Oklahoma, failed to provide adequate product warnings and precautions to purchasers including the Wyandotte School District. The lawsuit also alleges that the Wyandotte School District failed to install the recommended minimum amount of mulch and/or other safety surface material around the X-Wave.
Accidents can happen anywhere, even on school playgrounds, and even in the first days of school. If the accident occurs as a result of a defective or dangerous product, the designer, manufacturer, retailer, installer, and others can be held financially accountable for any injuries that result. If your child has been injured as a result of a daycare accident, playing with a dangerous toy, or in an accident on defective equipment, contact an Oklahoma child injury attorney who can help you seek justice and financial compensation from those responsible for your child's suffering.
Oklahoma Criminal Charges and Civil Litigation
Oklahoma courts rule on both criminal cases and civil cases, and while each type of litigation is clear and distinct from the other, there are circumstances in which a person may be a defendant in both a criminal case and a civil case for the same alleged action. Having civil action brought against you even though you were acquitted of a criminal charge does not violate your Fifth Amendment right to avoid double jeopardy, because of several distinguishing features of each type of case.
In a criminal case, the defendant is charged with violating a local, state, or federal law. The charges are brought by the government, and the defendant is prosecuted by the District Attorney, and has the right to legal defense by an Oklahoma criminal lawyer. In a criminal case, the prosecuting attorney's burden of proof is to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the crime with which he or she is charged. If the defendant is convicted, or found guilty, of the crime, he or she faces legal consequences which may include fines, jail or prison sentences, and probation. Though in some cases, such as embezzlement or other white collar crimes, the defendant is ordered to pay restitution as part of the sentence, in most cases, the legal consequences of a criminal case do not involve financial compensation to the victim(s) of the crime.
Civil litigation, on the other hand, is brought by the injured victim or by the family of the victim in a wrongful death case. The penalties associated with a civil lawsuit are financial compensation for punitive damages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other physical, emotional, and financial difficulties incurred by the victim. If a defendant in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit loses the case, he or she reaps financial penalties, but is not saddled with jail or a criminal record as a result. Civil litigation holds accountable those whose negligence or wrongdoing--even if it is not a violation of a criminal law--harms others. In a civil case, the burden of proof by the Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer bringing suit is much lighter. Rather than proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, the attorney must simply demonstrate a preponderance of evidence, meaning that it is more likely than not that the defendant is in some way responsible for the plaintiff's injury or death.
Because of the differences in the two types of cases, it is possible that a defendant in a criminal case will also be a defendant in a civil case as a result of the same action. A civil lawsuit can be brought against a defendant in a criminal case regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. One common example of a person facing both criminal and civil litigation occurs after a DUI accident. Whether the defendant is convicted of DUI or whether his or her Oklahoma DUI defense lawyer is able to get the case dismissed, anyone injured in the accident may sue for damages in a civil case. Because the burden of proof is lighter in a civil case, the victim may be awarded damages even if the defendant was found not guilty or had the criminal case dismissed. The most notorious example of this is the O.J. Simpson murder trial and wrongful death lawsuits that followed. Though Simpson was found not guilty of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, the families of the victims brought wrongful death suits against him. It was demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence that Simpson was responsible for the deaths, and the families were awarded $33.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Locally, this is playing out in the case of Oklahoma City police officer Chad Peery. While off-duty, Peery was asked by bartenders at an Oklahoma City bar to escort some unruly patrons from the facility. Peery was beaten by the men and paralyzed as a result of the brutal attack. Joshua B. Rinken, Jimmy Dan Smith, and Cadmio Antonio Lopez have been charged with assault and battery by means of force as is likely to cause death and face a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted. In addition to the criminal charges, the men have been named in a personal injury lawsuit filed by Officer Peery on October 31, the day before a $350,000 cap on non-economic damages in personal injury suits, went into effect. Peery is seeking actual and punitive damages for the catastrophic personal injury he incurred as a result of the beating. Also named in the lawsuit is The New Dan O'Brien's LLC, the company that owns the establishment where Peery was beaten. He claims that they are in part liable for his injuries because they continued to serve alcohol to the obviously intoxicated patrons, and because they lacked security on the premises.
Both criminal and civil cases bring heavy consequences for those found guilty or held responsible at the conclusion of the trial. For legal counsel, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer or criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma City.
New Law Increases Late Oklahoma Injury Lawsuit Filings
Last week, the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer blog brought you news of several laws that would take effect November 1. However, criminal penalties and traffic laws are not the only legislation that has been enacted as of the first of this month. One new law limits the amount of damages a plaintiff can be awarded in a personal injury suit. With the limit fast approaching, the last week of October was an extremely busy one if you happened to be an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney or a civil court clerk in the Oklahoma County District Courthouse.
House Bill 2128, which took effect last Tuesday, is part of a push for tort reform. It caps the award for non-economic damages in a personal injury suit--such as pain and suffering--at $350,000. Though personal injury lawyers in Oklahoma City say that the vast majority of personal injury litigation will not be affected by the cap, many feel that the law is unfair in capping the amount of compensation for non-economic losses for those who truly deserve financial compensation for their suffering.
Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers were working diligently to file lawsuits for cases that may have been affected by the cap had they been filed after November 1. According to Teresa Becker, head of the civil division of the Oklahoma County District Court Clerk's office, approximately 1,600 lawsuits were filed in October, with the majority of those cases being filed in the final days of the month. She told the local media that, in a typical month, the court clerk's office sees between 200 and 500 filings. If her figures hold true, then in the final four business days of October, there were a month's worth of filings each day:
- Wednesday, October 26 - 200 lawsuits filed
- Thursday, October 27 - 200 lawsuits filed
- Friday, October 28 - 300 lawsuits filed
- Monday, October 31 - 400 lawsuits filed
Though House Bill 2128 places a cap on the amount of damages awarded for pain and suffering and other non-economic impact of a personal injury accident, the $350,000 limit may be exceeded in certain cases of negligence. A personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City can evaluate any claim to uncover all potential sources of recovery.
Another law passed in the name of tort reform is Senate Bill 272. This law eliminates the possibility of being awarded non-economic damages for people involved in motor vehicle accidents if they do not have required auto insurance. Some Oklahoma City accident attorneys claim that both House Bill 2128 and Senate Bill 272 are unconstitutional and are determined to fight them. In the meantime, if you are involved in an accident or injured as a result of another's negligence, contact an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury attorney for an evaluation of your case.
Prevent Oklahoma Dog Bites Despite Negligent Pet Owners
Under Oklahoma dog bite law, pet owners are responsible for keeping their dogs leashed, fenced, or otherwise restrained, and they may be held liable for any bites, attacks, or injuries caused by their pets. However, as any Oklahoma City Dog Bite Lawyer can attest, not all pet owners act responsibly in protecting others from possible injuries by their dogs.
Certain breeds are considered more aggressive and dangerous, with Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, and German Shepherd listed among the "top ten dangerous breeds," but even small breeds and puppies can be extremely dangerous--even deadly--if they become aggressive. In one notorious case, a 6-week-old infant was killed by the family dog--a Pomeranian. In Oklahoma, a two-month old baby was killed at his home by a 6-week-old lab puppy. These cases, though rare, underscore the adage that "any dog can bite." Even otherwise gentle animals can act aggressively if they are provoked, whether that provocation is real or simply perceived by the animal.
After Oklahoma City Animal Welfare workers reported more than 300 animal bites, most of them by pets rather than strays, by June 30 of this year, local experts listed several tips to help people prevent dog bites or to avoid serious injury if attacked. First, say experts, avoid any action which may trigger a dog's predatory instincts:
- Remain calm.
- Do not run, which merely encourages the animal to chase.
- Do not look the animal directly in the eye, as this is seen as an act of aggression which may entice the animal to prove its dominance.
- Do not make loud noises, such as squealing or screaming, which may mimic the sound of prey.
Next, respect an animal's territoriality. Dogs will protect areas they feel belong to them:
- Do not approach a stray animal or an unfamiliar animal.
- Do not trespass on a dog's property. If legitimately on the animal's property, make sure its owner has the dog properly restrained.
- Do not lean against a fence or wall in attempting to avoid an animal. You may be allowing that dog to corner you on property it has "marked" as its own.
- If a dog barks at you, it is likely warning you to stay away. Leave the animal's "territory."
If attacked, curling into a fetal position can help protect your head, neck, eyes, and other soft tissue and vital organs. If possible, climb to an area where the dog or dogs can no longer reach you. One Oklahoma runner was attacked by six dogs earlier this summer and made his escape by climbing onto the hood of a passing car and being driven to safety. Some people rely on pepper spray to help protect them from aggressive dogs.
If, despite your best precautions, you have been bitten or savagely attacked by a dog or dogs, you may have legal recourse against any dog owners whose negligence allowed the animal or animals to injure you. Contact an Oklahoma City Dog Bite Attorney who can help you get compensation for your injuries.