Dogs are known for providing companionship and an endless amount of love. However, even the friendliest dogs can cause personal injuries and property damage. If you or your pet gets injured by another person’s dog or your dog hurts someone, it would be best to contact a dog bite lawyer. Dog bite laws usually differ from state to state.
An attorney can review your case and advise whether you’re eligible for a legal claim, the types of defenses available, the possible extent of your liability, and the potential legal and financial consequences of your dog bite claim.
Ways a Branch Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
Dog bites pose a severe health risk to our society and communities. If you live in Branch, Louisiana, and you get bitten by a dog, consider contacting a lawyer for legal advice.
A dog bite lawyer can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Here are some ways a dog bite lawyer can help:
Understanding Dog Bite Laws
Every state, including Louisiana, has dog bite laws that cover different types of claims. Your lawyer can help you initiate a lawsuit against a dog owner for lost wages or income, medical bills, and pain and suffering if the dog bite occurred without being provoked and you sustained a severe injury resulting in disfigurement and fractures.
If the dog bite was not severe, you could only file a claim for medical expenses. The other scenario is if the owner is aware the dog has a history of attacking people. You may be eligible to file a dangerous dog claim for damages in such a case. Lawyers are familiar with dog bite laws and stay updated on current legislation.
Proving the Dog Owner Is Liable for Injuries
A dog owner is legally responsible for injuries sustained if a dog attacks a person because of neglect in taking reasonable care to control the dog. However, proving negligence can be challenging. You must prove the dog owner owed you a duty of care to control their dog’s behavior and that the owner failed to meet their duty to win a
claim based on negligence.
Your lawyer can investigate your case and collect evidence to prove that the dog owner’s negligence directly or indirectly caused your injuries.
Negotiating With the Insurer on Your Behalf
After experiencing a dog bite, hiring a lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf is advisable. If the insurance company or the dog owner offers less than a reasonable compensation payout, you don’t have to accept it. Your lawyer can review the offer, show the incident’s seriousness, and negotiate with the insurer to increase the compensation offer.
If the insurance company isn’t ready to pay a reasonable settlement amount, your lawyer can file a case in a court of law to fight for your interests.
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.
ClientCommon Dog Bite Injuries
Even though every dog bite is unique, here are some common dog bite injuries many victims sustain in Branch:
- Puncture Wounds:After a dog bite, the skin is punctured, causing bleeding that can lead to a high risk of infection.
- Avulsions:Dogs tend to tear and rip flesh from the victim’s body using their powerful jaws and neck muscles.
- Nerve Damage:Avulsion, crushing, and puncture from a dog bite can cause permanent nerve damage in the affected areas.
- Leg and Foot Injuries:Dogs may injure a victim’s leg or feet as they attempt to flee. The victim’s nerves and muscles can sustain permanent damage or have a temporary disability due to the attack.
- Rabies and Tetanus:The secondary effects after a dog bite can be worse than the initial attack. Deep dog bites could lead to tetanus if the victim had not recently received a booster of the tetanus vaccine. A dog that has not been vaccinated against rabies can jeopardize the victim’s health or lead to death.
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 | ClientRecoverable Damages
You may be eligible to seek financial compensation if the injuries you sustained from a dog bite are due to negligence. Some of the damages in a dog bite case include:
- Medical Bills: Damages from a dog bite are known to be expensive. Recoverable medical expenses include ambulance rides, rabies shots, tetanus shots, stitches, and surgical procedures.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: If a dog bite caused a permanent injury, you might be eligible to claim reduced earning capacity. Your lawyer can help determine how much you could have earned without permanent injury to ensure you receive total compensation.
- Lost Wages: During the recovery period, you may miss time at work. To win a claim based on lost wages, your lawyer must prove the injuries from the dog attack directly caused you to miss work. The lost wages can include base salary, commissions, bonuses, and other benefits.
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering fall under general damages. You must prove beyond a doubt the dog attack caused trauma for a successful claim. Pain and suffering are the most difficult damage to win since they require a high degree of persuasion and imagination.
- Property Damage: Dog bites typically don’t result in a lot of property damage. Most property damage in a dog bite incident is limited to pants and shirts. Dogs may also damage a victim’s backpack, purse, watch, and other accessories. Therefore, you can claim property damages after a dog bite based on the ruined items.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientContact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve sustained injuries from a dog attack in Branch, consider hiring a dog bite lawyer from our law firm, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. We have more than 350 years of combined personal injury experience, and we possess the necessary skills to win your dog bite case. Our team can deliver the settlement you deserve through negotiations or litigation. Call us to schedule a free consultation.
