Dog bites are more common than we think. They can cause permanent scarring and lasting emotional pain. Treating dog bites is also another burden with a dog bite attack. Treating your injuries can be expensive and drain you of your finances.
Contacting a Chalmette dog bite lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is one of the best ways you can get justice for the attack. The lawyer can help you with the legal process and ensure no one takes advantage of your situation. You can use the settlements to pay for your injuries and other damages from the attack.
Why a Dog May Attack
Dogs usually are very loving pets and are not prone to attacking people. However, certain situations might provoke a dog into attacking someone. This could be because they:
- Feel threatened or scared
- Want to protect their puppies, their owners, or themselves
- Are under stressful situations
- Dealt with past abuse
Regardless of the reason for the attack, an unprovoked dog attack can still result in injuries. You can use a Chalmette dog bite lawyer at our firm to help you file for compensation for your injuries. They use the local rules to hold the dog owner accountable and help you get justice.
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Dog Bite Laws in Louisiana
Under CC Art. 2321, dog owners are strictly liable for their dog’s aggressive behavior, meaning you can hold them accountable for your damages no matter their intent. However, as the victim, you must show that the dog owner should have known about their dog’s dangerous tendencies. In doing so, you need to apply the theory of negligence to your case.
- Duty of care: The owner should have restrained their dog on a leash or kept them away from others if they knew it had a history of causing injuries.
- Breach of duty: They violated this duty of care and failed to properly restrain their dog.
- Causation: The dog bit you.
- Damages: You have incurred economic and non-economic damages.
All of these components must be in your case for you to hold the dog owner accountable for your damages.
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Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
Although a dog bite is painful, there are certain things you should do right away to improve your chances of getting justice. You should follow these steps:
- Get the dog owner’s insurance information, including renter’s or homeowner’s insurance.
- Ask for proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination.
- Go to the hospital. The hospital can treat your wound and see if there are any infections. They can also document the incident, and you can use this when filing claims.
- Gather eyewitness contact information. You should also get the dog handler’s information, even if they are not the dog owner.
- Take pictures and videos of the wound and the surrounding environment. Take photos, especially if there are no warning signs.
Another important thing you need to do is report the attack to the local animal control agency and the police. They can document the attack, and you can use the documentation when filing a personal injury claim.
You should also contact a Chalmette dog bite lawyer at our firm. Your lawyer could use all this information when filing a dog bite claim. They use this information to support your case and provide enough evidence of the attack and the extent of your injuries.
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Dog Bite Injuries and Infections
Dog bites are a source of great pain and can spread infections. The results of the injuries range from mild to severe. Some include:
Rabies
Rabies is very dangerous and is a severe infection to get. This infection progresses fast and can kill its victim in a few weeks. Seek medical attention immediately after a dog bite before the infection starts spreading.
You should ask for the dog’s rabies vaccination card to see if the dog was recently vaccinated. Talk to a Chalmette dog bite lawyer on our team to get the details if the owner doesn’t want to release that information. Rabies is dangerous, and the dog owner should pay for any treatment you need after their dog attacks you.
Lacerations
Dogs’ teeth are very sharp, and a bite can create deep lacerations on your skin. It would be best if you got treatment quickly after a laceration. This is because it exposes your skin, leaving it vulnerable to infections. It can also cause deep scarring that you can have to live with for the rest of your life.
Other injuries and infections you can get from dog bites include:
- Facial injuries
- Contusions
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Tetanus
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How a Dog Bite Attorney with Our Firm Can Assist You During the Claims Process
Treating your injuries and recovering from the dog bite incident should be your priorities—not learning new legal terminology and finding your way through the Louisiana claims process. Our attorneys can handle those responsibilities for you and take on these tasks:
- Obtaining a copy of the police report
- Studying and applying relevant dog bite laws to your case
- Collecting and analyzing evidence
- Proving the dog owner’s negligence and liability
- Communicating with the parties involved in your case
- Fighting for a fair settlement during negotiations
- Arguing your case before a jury, if need be
In addition to managing the legal aspects of your case, we will provide quality client care. Your attorney will regularly update you on the status of your case and promptly answer your questions.
Our Lawyers Operate on a Contingency-Fee Basis
Many firms that take dog bite cases charge upfront or out-of-pocket fees—not Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys serving Chalmette will take your case on a contingency-fee basis. Under this payment plan, you assume limited to no financial risk, as we only deduct our payment if we resolve your case.
Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Lawsuits in Louisiana
The statute of limitations refers to the time limit you must file your lawsuit. This means you must file a lawsuit before that time limit expires, or you won’t be able to recover anything. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, you generally have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit, per CC Art. 3492. The same time applies to wrongful death lawsuits, according to CC Art. 2315.2.
It is necessary to reach out to a Chalmette dog bite lawyer on our team to know of all the laws surrounding dog bites in Chalmette. The lawyer can ensure you file your lawsuit on time, giving you a fighting chance.
Common Forms of Compensation for Dog Bite Injury Claims in Chalmette
The dog owner’s insurance company deals with the compensation claims. The dog owner is responsible for their dog’s behavior, and they suffer the risks if their dog attacks someone. You can get different types of compensation, which are:
-
Economic Damages
This category covers any financial or tangible damages. It includes past and future medical expenses. It also covers any cosmetic treatment you might need, such as reconstructive surgeries. It could also cover:
- Loss of income
- Damage to possessions
- Loss of the ability to earn income
- Cost of psychological treatment
- Rehabilitation costs
-
Non-Economic Damages
These damages cover any emotional trauma you endure because of the accident. It includes:
- Pain and suffering from your injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
-
Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, dog bite victims succumb to their related injuries and infections. If your loved one passed away from such an incident, you and your family could seek damages for:
- Final medical bills
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of financial support
Whether you’re filing a personal injury or wrongful death case, the compensation you obtain is to help you accommodate your new way of life without financial strain.
File Your Claims with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
Our dog bite attorneys can help you seek compensation for your damages. You can also get a free case evaluation to know how we can deal with your case. We don’t charge upfront fees or costs so that you won’t incur extra expenses. Call us today and talk to one of our Chalmette dog bite lawyers.
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