Dogs are like family as they are kind and loving pets. Nonetheless, some dogs can be dangerous and threaten individuals and other pets. A dog bite attack can be painful both physically and emotionally, traumatizing the victim after an attack.
Dog bite injuries are not only painful, but they can also lead to severe ramifications for the dog owner and compensation for the attack victim. The legal process can be stressful following a dog bite injury, but you don’t have to undertake this journey alone. A Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer can help you or your loved one get fair compensation after a dog bite attack.
Dog Bite Claims
If you experience physical or emotional pain after a dog bite, you can file a personal injury claim to cover your injuries. You can hold the dog owner legally liable for their pet’s actions.
Dog bite laws may vary from state to state. It would help if you spoke to a Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer to find the laws fitting your state and the best way to claim compensation.
Below are the general steps you can take to make a solid legal claim:
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.
ClientFind Out Who Is at Fault
Your Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer can help you prove liability for a dog bite attack. They do this by finding evidence showing how the attack happened and the injuries you got from the dog bite. They can also help you find evidence indicating the dog owner’s negligence and file personal injury claims.
Some of the ways a lawyer can prove liability depends on one or more of the following aspects:
Negligence
Negligence of dog bite injury calls for the plaintiff to show that the defendant, the dog owner, owes the injured party duty of care and that there was a breach of duty of care. Your Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer can prove that the dog owner was not observant of public safety rules which led to the dog bite attack.
The dog owner’s breach of care can include not securing their dog correctly on a leash. Another point that the lawyer can use to solidify the claim of fault through negligence is that the dog owner failed to keep the dog far away from others when they knew the dog was dangerous.
One Bite Rule
This is a claim used in some states to file claims on dog bites. The one-bite rule is used when the owner knows that their dog has a previous bite history and can do it again. This puts the dog owner at fault as they did not take measures to ensure their dog didn’t attack someone else.
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 | ClientDocument Your Claim
The dog bite injury claim is more straightforward than other personal injury claims as it is necessary to receive medical care. The documentation involving your medical care after a dog bite is then used to support your legal claim, and your Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer can use them to build your case.
Some important documents include:
Medical Reports
Medical care is the most crucial step to take after a dog bite. While getting medical care, the attending physician can take medical reports of injuries from the dog bite and the total cost of treatment. Medical reports from a medical professional are then used as evidence to support your claim.
Photographs and Witnesses
If there were eyewitnesses, take their contact information and statement of account of the incident.
Your lawyer can also help you find a recording of the incident. This can also include photographs or video footage of the attack. The footage backs your argument and is valuable evidence that a Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer can use to support your claim.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCommon Defenses You May Face
The dog owner can also hire a lawyer to defend them against your accusations. Some of the defenses they can use to undermine your claim include:
Provoking the Dog
Provoking the dog means you forced or put the dog in a position to hurt you or where they felt like they had to defend themselves. Using this defense, the opposing lawyer can claim you cannot expect compensation if you knowingly put yourself in a dangerous position.
Trespassing
A dog bite injury victim cannot sue the private property owner for personal injuries. They got bit by a dog when trespassing. There are exceptions to trespassing cases, and you should ask your Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer if any apply to your case.
Assumed Risk
Assumed risk is the greyest area in dog bite injury cases. The defense can claim that you took an assumed risk by going to a dog park which exposes you to dog bite attacks.
Consult your Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer to see whether these defenses apply to your case. They can help create relevant answers to counter the defense’s arguments.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientHow a Lawyer Can Help
There are different degrees of complications in proving the liability of a dog bite to the dog owner. Our dog bite attorney knows the local laws and can take legal action to get you compensation.
A lawyer can also handle all the negotiations with the responsible party. This ensures you get the proper compensation and prevents the at-fault party or insurance company from taking advantage of you.
File Your Claim
Dog bite injuries cost both money and time. It would help if you talked to a Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer first about your case before contacting the insurance company.
Talking to a legal expert on dog bite cases levels the playing field for you and puts you in the best position to receive deserved compensation from the pet owner. Some of the compensation you can get includes:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Work With Our Baton Rouge Dog Bite Lawyer
At Laborde Earles, we are ready for any defense a pet owner can use to refute your legal claim. Our lawyers work to ensure you receive justice and compensation for a dog bite attack. Call us today to start working with a Baton Rouge dog bite lawyer.
