Dogs can pose a serious risk to neighbors and passersby if they are not properly socialized. Our Harvey dog bite lawyers can help you seek damages if you have been a victim of a dog attack.
The injuries sustained in a dog attack can be very serious. If you lost a loved one due to a dog bite, you could file a wrongful death claim against the dog owner.
The Elements of a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Louisiana
The first element of dog bite injury claims is that they have strict liability. This means dog owners are responsible for injuries or damage their dog causes. The dog owner should take reasonable care to ensure their pet does not cause any injuries.
You must show evidence that the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog was capable of dangerous behavior. Our personal injury lawyers can help you gather evidence showing that the Harvey dog owner should have known the dog might have attacked or had bitten someone in the past. The other elements you might have to meet in a dog bite injury claim are:
- Proving the other party violated their duty of care
- Proving a breach of this duty
- Proving the other party’s violation of duty facilitated the occurrence of the dog bite or attack
- Proving your losses connected to the attack
You could be awarded punitive damages based on the particular details of your claim. Your lawyer can help you determine if your case meets the criteria set for receiving punitive damages.
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Get Medical Attention After a Dog Bite or Attack in Harvey, LA
Your priority should be to seek medical attention to prevent the risk of the wound becoming infected. This is because the risk of infection and even death cannot get ruled out without proper medical attention,
For instance, StatPearls reports that approximately 30-50 Americans die due to dog bites annually. Hence, it is important to seek medical attention, as it may save you or your loved one’s life.
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When to Retain a Dog Bite Lawyer After Suffering a Bite
A dog bite injury claim is legally classified as a personal injury claim. This means you can hire an attorney as soon as the dog bite or attack occurs. You can perform many actions to protect your case, including hiring a lawyer. Your lawyer helps you understand what you need to build a successful claim against the liable party.
One of the first things your dog bite lawyer will do is to evaluate your case and begin the process of gathering evidence. They might also file a motion of discovery to force the liable party to disclose any evidence that they may withhold. We can also gather evidence by:
- Look for witnesses and collect their statements
- Gather the medical records of your injuries
- Video evidence of the area the attack occurred if it was under surveillance
Our team can help you determine the value of your claim based on the severity of your injuries and the damages suffered. Your lawyer can handle the negotiation process with the negligent party or their insurance company. We will also help you go to court if you cannot recover damages through a negotiated settlement.
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Factors Affecting Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Injury Claim
The main factor that will affect how much damages you can recover is the economic losses you have suffered due to the dog bite or injury. One key determinant is the cost of medical treatment you need. So, keep all your medical records, especially the bills.
Your dog bite lawyer can help you determine the present value of any future cost of medical treatment. This will ensure that you do not face any financial difficulty when getting treated, especially if your Harvey dog bite injury was severe enough to require physical therapy or surgery.
Other economic factors that may affect the damages you can recover are wages lost, and any additional costs for medical devices such as casts. A dog bite lawyer will help you estimate the worth of the following non-economic factors that may affect recoverable damages:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Disabilities and physical limitations arising out of your injuries
- Mental distress and emotional anguish
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Our Team Will Help You Stay Within the Statute of Limitations
Our lawyers will help you understand the essence of filing your claim as soon as possible. This is because there is a statute of limitations set for personal injury claims in the state. The statute of limitations is one year from the date of the dog bite under LA Civ Code Art. 3492.
One year is very little time to successfully prepare your case, but your dog bite lawyer can help you utilize that time to your advantage. They will also handle the claim while you focus on recovering.
Don’t Worry About the Cost of Hiring Our Dog Bite Attorneys
Do not let the cost of hiring our dog bite attorneys deprive you of having legal representation. Our law firm works on a contingency-fee policy. This means you do not have to incur any upfront costs when hiring us.
We will begin working on your case immediately and only get paid if we help you get compensated by the liable party. Working on contingency is an incentive for us to ensure we help you through the legal process.
Call a Harvey Dog Bite Lawyer Today
We will give you a free consultation once you have contacted our team. This will help us get familiar with your case and begin working on an action plan to get compensated.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today and speak to us for free.
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