Dogs bite for various reasons, such as when they feel threatened or stressed. If you or your loved one has sustained injuries from a dog bite, you might be able to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
Abbeville Dog Bite Lawyer
About 4.5 million people in the U.S. encounter dog bite injuries each year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dogs have a reputation for being friendly or even protective pets. However, some dogs have a propensity toward violence, and in some cases, this happens because they have not been properly socialized. If you sustain injuries from a dog bite attack, you are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Dog owners in Louisiana have a duty of care to anyone who comes into contact with the dog. Thus, when a dog bite occurs, the owner is liable for the injuries sustained by the victim, as explained in LA Civ Code, Art. 2321.
In many cases, the party who owns the dog is responsible for compensating the victim for medical and other expenses after a dog bite attack. The cost of such an attack also increases if the victim must have cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The emotional trauma and stress from the attack also might adversely affect the victim’s quality of life, which could make it hard for the victim to socialize with dogs thereafter.
Getting compensation can sometimes be challenging, but with an Abbeville dog bite lawyer, you could pursue compensation and recover awards for your injuries and losses. If you or your loved one is recovering from injuries from a dog bite attack, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for a free case evaluation.
When the Dog’s Owner Is Liable
There are various conditions under which a dog owner is liable for injuries that the dog causes. They are:
- Negligence
- Failure to prevent injury
- If the injured person did not, in any way, provoke the dog
- If the dog has attacked someone else previously
Negligence on the dog owner’s part will make them liable for any injury that the animal causes. The dog owner has a duty of care to ensure the animal does not cause an unreasonable risk of harm to another person. The victim, therefore, has a right to receive restitution if the dog owner did not act responsibly, and this negligence directly led to the injuries sustained in the dog attack.
A dog owner is also liable if it is proven there was a failure on the owner’s part to prevent an injury. For example, if the dog owner knew the dog had a propensity to bite people, then they are liable for the animal’s actions. If the dog had bitten someone else previously and injures another person, then the owner is liable for failure to prevent injury.
The dog’s owner bears responsibility for any injuries sustained by the victim if the victim did not provoke the dog. A dog that attacks people without any provocation causes an unreasonable risk of harm.
The dog owner might mount a defense based on the principle of comparative negligence or showing that the victim provoked the dog. The injured party must also prove that the injuries sustained are from the dog bite. A dog bite lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve, even if the dog’s owner denies liability.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientStatute of Limitations on Dog Bite Cases
A dog bite case in Louisiana falls under the personal injury claims category. The statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim against the dog owner is two years from the date of the incident, as explained in LA Civ Code, Art. 3492.
The main reason the statute of limitations is limited is to ensure the case’s evidence has not been compromised over time. The evidence from a dog bite case is crucial in showing that the injuries sustained were from the dog bite. More important, it will help the court determine whether the dog’s owner was liable for the attack.
Certain exceptions can still allow you to file your case after the statute of limitations expires. These exceptions include:
- If the victim is a child
- If there are multiple parties at fault
- Discovery rules
The statute of limitations does not apply to individuals who are under age 18. A victim can pursue a claim after a dog bite attack two years after becoming an adult, regardless of when the attack occurred. The victim is also exempted from the statute of limitations if there are multiple parties at fault.
However, you must make a claim against one party who is at fault within the statute of limitations. The exceptions apply to other at-fault parties also responsible for the incident. The discovery rule exempts the victim from the statute of limitations if, during the two-year limit, they did not know the dog’s owner.
Filing your case on time is an important factor in helping you seek compensation. An attorney can handle all paperwork required and file your case with the court on time.
If you are recovering from a dog bite injury and are interested in exploring your legal options, call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today to learn how an Abbeville dog bite lawyer might be able to help you during a free case review.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientPursuing a Case Against a Property Owner in a Dog Bite Attack
The property owner has a separate liability to the injured victim of a dog bite attack. Thus, you can make your injury claim against the property owner, even if they do not own the dog.
To make a sound case against the property owner, the injured party must show that:
- The property owner knew that the tenant was keeping the dog
- The property owner should have known the tenant was keeping the dog
- The property had some defect, which allowed the dog to attack the victim
An Abbeville dog bite lawyer can advise you on how to file a claim or lawsuit against liable property owners and answer questions you may have.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCall a Dog Bite Lawyer From Laborde Earles Today
A dog bite lawyer can be instrumental in helping you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. You do not need to hire an attorney to represent you in your dog bite case. However, hiring legal counsel might make the process of seeking financial recovery for your injuries more manageable.
A lawyer can gather evidence, question witnesses, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to seek a fair settlement for you, and even pursue claims against multiple at-fault parties.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free case review.
