You never know how a dog may respond to someone it does not know, and it is even more questionable if the dog’s owner is nowhere in sight. But even if the owner is around, it can be scary when a dog suddenly turns aggressive. We are all familiar with the kind of damage a dog can do. Even small dogs can inflict nasty bites if they want to, but a larger dog attack can be deadly.
If you are dealing with a dog bite, getting the assistance of a Crowley dog bite lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be an option for you. A lawyer will advocate on your behalf, ensuring you get fair compensation for your injuries. They will make sure you do not have to go through this alone.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we have assisted many clients with personal injury cases. Our goal is to make sure you collect a fair monetary amount considering your current and future suffering. We look at the whole picture when assessing your dog bite situation. We know it is not only about the physical injuries you are experiencing, but also the other losses and suffering you have endured throughout this ordeal. Our lawyers will work hard for you to reclaim your losses.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, our lawyers have over 350 years of combined experience helping others win cases. We’ll seek evidence and present a strong case on your behalf. In the end, we can often negotiate a fair settlement for you without going to court.
If you would like to discuss your case with our legal team free of charge, you can contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. We operate on a contingency basis, so you do not pay unless we win.
The Damages You May Be Eligible for in Your Crowley Dog Bite Case
When our team pursues a payout for a client, we may claim several different damages. These damages can vary from financial costs to mental or emotional costs. In your dog bite case, we may claim:
- Medical costs you incurred
- Medical costs you’ll incur in the future
- The costs involved in continual care, like physical therapy
- Wages you’ve lost due to an inability to work
- Wages you may lose in the future
- The damage of a diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
We may be able to help you recover other damages depending on your case’s circumstances. There may be some damages you haven’t considered yet. When we see you for a consultation, we’ll go over all the damages you may be eligible for.
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.
ClientAbout Dog Bites in Crowley
A dog bite can be a serious situation, even if it isn’t life-threatening. Whether you need medical attention or not, the incident can be traumatizing.
From an article published in Heliyon on the demographics of dog bites, data shows the following statistics:
- The average age of a dog bite victim is 28.9 years.
- Dogs bite more males (52.6%) than females (47.4%).
- Bite location breakdown is as follows: Upper extremity: 47.3%; head/neck: 26.8%; lower extremity: 21.5%; and trunk: 4.4%.
- Younger people had more bites on the head/neck area.
- Older patients had more bites on the upper extremity.
- Hospital admissions were necessary for 1.7% of cases.
- Most dog bites occurred in the summer and on weekends.
- Just over 80% of dog bites occurred at home.
Dog bite injuries can range from mild to severe, but even a minor wound can be troublesome.
No matter how severe or minor your injuries are, you can seek the help of a Crowley dog bite lawyer. At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we will go over your case for free.
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 | ClientProving Liability in a Dog Bite Case
Your Crowley dog bite lawyer will build your case to prove liability. There are generally three main steps in proving the dog owner’s liability:
Establish the Duty of Care in a Dog Bite Case
What is the duty of care? According to the Legal Information Institute (LII), this legal term means we expect a person to behave based on common norms or provide a service that another person of the same background and education would provide.
For example, if you are at someone’s place of business, you expect their store to be safe from any tripping hazards. They must take reasonable precautions on their property to prevent you from getting hurt. You can expect the same duty of care from a person who owns a dog. They are responsible for making sure it does not harm anyone.
Prove That There Was a Breach of Duty
Breach of this duty is the next thing your lawyer must prove. This breach means a dog owner failed in their duty of care. For instance, if they knew the dog had a history of aggression but did not take steps to secure the dog so that you were safe from injury, this is a breach of duty.
Whatever way they chose to restrain the dog must have been secure enough to ensure no harm came to others. That may have meant putting the dog in a kennel while people were around or holding it on a leash when out in public. However, if the person opted to keep the dog on a leash, they must have been sure they were strong enough to restrain it if it decided to attack.
Show That Your Damages and the Dog Bite Incident Are Linked
Finally, the lawyer must show a direct link between the attack and your injuries. This link should be straightforward for some injuries, but may require more work to prove for other injuries. For example, let’s say a dog knocked you down, you fell and hit your head, and then the dog bit you. Your lawyer will have to prove the connection between the dog attack and the bite injury, as well as your head injury. Your lawyer may even have to show a connection to any emotional trauma you experienced.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientThere’s a Lot We Can Do to Prove Liability
As we take steps to prove the other party’s liability in your case, we’ll investigate the incident, the parties involved, and much more. We may also obtain and analyze:
- Medical records related to your injuries
- Documents detailing your other expenses or any future expenses
- The police report and other reports filed by any first responders
- Additional documents that may be related to your injuries or the incident
- Testimonies from anyone who witnessed the incident or your injuries
- Testimonies from medical or other experts
- Photos and video footage of the incident or the scene (like cell phone recordings)
- And more
After Establishing Liability, We’ll Pursue Your Payout
Once your lawyer has determined the other party’s liability and built your case, they will pursue the payout you deserve. This may be as simple as approaching the other party’s insurance company, filing a claim, and negotiating a settlement without going to court. However, if it does become necessary to go to court, your lawyer will not hesitate to do so.
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.
ClientYou Have a Limited Time to File a Lawsuit
You may not be thinking about filing a lawsuit, but you might want to at some point. To keep this option open, you should connect with our team right away. By connecting with us soon, you’ll allow us to meet the filing deadline that applies in your case.
The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Crowley, Louisiana is only two years, per CC Art. 3492. If you wait too long to pursue your case, we may not be able to meet the deadline, and you may lose your option to sue the other party.
Even if you don’t file a lawsuit, settlement negotiations can take time, especially if the other party’s insurance company doesn’t agree to a fair settlement. Connect with us today if you’re ready to move forward with your case.
Work with a Crowley Dog Bite Lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
Connect with a Crowley dog bite lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today. An attorney will manage all of your paperwork and other necessary tasks so you can relax and recuperate. You shouldn’t have to manage financial matters while managing your health and family matters. Let us help you with your case.
Contact a member of our team for more information about filing a claim or lawsuit. We will provide you with a completely free, no-obligation case consultation.
