A dog bite can leave you facing unplanned medical bills for the injuries you or your loved one has suffered. Your Delcambre dog bite lawyer can help you recover all the costs you may incur from the dog owner. Do not be afraid to have legal representation, even if the dog owner is a friend or a close neighbor.
Having a lawyer by your side makes it easier to build a successful claim. Our lawyers have dealt with similar cases in the past and will help you estimate the amount of damages you should seek from the liable party.
When Can You Hold the Dog Owner Liable for Your Injuries
LA Civ Code Art. 2321 makes dog owners strictly liable if their pets bite or attack someone. You can hold a dog owner liable for your injuries if they did not prevent that dog from biting or attacking you without provocation. This may require you to show that the dog owner knew (or should have known) the dog’s behavior was dangerous.
Your personal injury lawyer can help you find out the dog’s history and if it meets Louisiana’s definition of a dangerous dog. Dog owners who fail to keep their pets on their property are liable if the dog causes injury or damage to people outside the dog owner’s compound.
You could hold the dog owner responsible for your injuries if the dog’s actions resulted in injuries not necessarily caused by a bite. For instance, if a neighbor’s dog knocks you down and you sustain injuries from the fall, you could hold the dog owner liable.
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.
ClientTake Action After a Delcambre Dog Bite
After you have suffered a dog bite or attack, do the following:
- Call the police
- Seek medical attention
- Speak with your dog bite lawyer
Seeking medical attention is key to safeguarding your health and gaining evidence that your injuries were due to a dog bite.
For instance, the American Veterinary Medical Association states that out of 4.5 million dog bites, only 800,000 people receive medical attention. This indicates that many victims either do not seek damages or cannot provide sufficient evidence of the dog owner’s negligence.
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 | ClientWhy Work With a Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Delcambre?
Having medical records of the dog bite may not be enough evidence to get the liable party to pay you damages. You need to show how the other party was negligent. Your lawyer can investigate to determine how the dog owner was negligent.
Your Lawyer Can Prove Negligence in Your Dog Bite Case
For instance, your lawyer could uncover evidence that the dog broke the “one-bite rule.” Proving that the dog bit or attacked someone in the past demonstrates that the dog owner knew (or should have known) the dog’s behavior was dangerous. Your dog bite lawyer can help you seek specialized treatment for your injuries.
Your Lawyer Can Negotiate for a Fair Dog Bite Settlement
Your dog bite lawyer will negotiate with the liable party and their insurer. Negotiation processes can seem friendly, but injured parties often receive lowball offers from insurance companies if they do not have legal representation.
Our lawyers can document all the damages you have suffered. We could even work with experts to estimate the value you should accept as a settlement from the liable party.
Your Lawyer Will Take on All Tasks Your Dog Bite Injury Case Requires
We can also help you by:
- Filing a dog bite injury claim in court if need be
- Represent you in court
- Gather witness testimony
- Make use of legal procedures to your advantage
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCompensation Awarded in a Dog Bite Injury Claims
The money you receive from the liable party should compensate you for:
- Cost of medical treatment
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Wages lost
- Cost of counseling for emotional trauma suffered
The liable party and their insurer will try to argue against whatever damages you demand. The liable party may even argue that you were trespassing or provoked the dog into attacking you. We can help you fight off such claims and protect your interests against exploitation. The nature of damages you can recover will depend on your injuries.
Unfortunately, dog attacks can cause death. If you have lost a loved one, you could file a wrongful death claim. A surviving spouse, parent, or child can recover damages for medical bills, funeral expenses, and loss of consortium from the dog owner or their insurer.
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.
ClientBeating the One-Year Deadline for Louisiana Dog Bite-Related Lawsuits
Filing a personal injury lawsuit is a race against time. LA Civ Code Art. 3492 enforces a one-year deadline for all personal injury lawsuits. This puts a lot of pressure on injured parties seeking damages. Working on your claim alone puts you at great risk of missing the deadline without fully preparing your case.
You need to have sufficient evidence that the dog owner failed to uphold their duty of care. One year is a short time for you to heal and begin building your claim. However, we can help you build your case without missing the statute of limitations.
We understand the exceptions that may allow you to seek damages if the deadline passes. Our team can work to settle your lawsuit and keep the case out of court, as well.
Call a Delcambre Dog Bite Lawyer’s Staff Today
Our law firm is ready and willing to go the extra mile to help you recover damages if you have suffered a dog bite. Our Delcambre lawyers will walk you through the process of seeking damages and navigating the complex legal process involved.
Working with our lawyers comes at no initial costs or fees. Our law firm only gets paid if we successfully get you compensated. Thus, there is no reason why you should not have legal representation when preparing to file your claim. Talk to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today.
