Dog bites are very serious injuries that can result in significant financial losses due to medical bills you may have to incur in treatment. Your Henderson dog bite lawyer could help you recover damages from the dog owner if you or your child suffered a dog bite.
Dogs are man’s best friend, but that does not take away from the fact that some dog are extremely dangerous even when unprovoked. Dangerous dog owners are strictly liable if their pets cause serious injuries to neighbors or visitors legally allowed on their property.
Steps To Take After Suffering a Dog Bite
The first step you should take if you or your child suffered a dog bite is to seek medical attention. Receiving treatment ensures that the injury will heal completely, and you may even receive cosmetic surgery. This could reduce scarring if the dog bite injury is very serious. Getting treated also prevents the injury from worsening because the injury will not get infected.
The medical records you obtain can serve as evidence of the injury. The medical records act as a source of information on the severity of the injury and the expenses incurred during treatment. The second step you could take after suffering a dog bite is to retain your dog bite lawyer.
Your dog bite attorney can help you understand the legal options that you can use to recover damages. Our attorney will also help you determine which party you can hold liable for the damages you have suffered. Some of the parties that may be liable in a personal injury lawsuit following a dog bite are:
- The dog’s owner
- The parent of the dog owner if they are under the age of 18
- The property owner
- The kennel or pet sitter or any party responsible for the dog
We will handle all communications with the liable party and their insurance providers. Your lawyer will answer all your questions about the claims process and keep you up-to-date with all developments in the claim.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Henderson, call (337) 777-7777
Establishing Negligence When Claiming Damages After a Dog Bite
You need evidence to establish fault, and this is where your dog bite lawyer comes in. Your Henderson lawyer can help you prove that the dog’s owner knew or should have had knowledge that their pet was dangerous or could cause damage.
We can gather evidence by looking into the dog owner’s past. This may help prove that the dog’s owner has faced similar claims in the past. The second element of establishing fault is proving that the dog bite was preventable if the owner took reasonable care. The state also requires that you meet the following conditions to successfully make your claim:
- The dog bite occurred unprovoked
- The injured party was at the property legally
- The animal caused damages to you even if it did not bite you
Claims for damages after a dog bite get based on negligence laws. This means that, as the claimant, you have to show the duty of care existed, a breach occurred, the breach led to the dog bite, and you suffered damages as a result.
For instance, dog owners who fail to keep their dogs on a leash or in a fenced compound are liable if their dog bites anyone it comes across outside the compound. This means that pedestrians bitten by that dog can argue that the dog owner’s failure to fence their compound breached their duty of care.
Henderson Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Possible Recoverable Damages After a Dog Bite Injury
People suffer varying levels of emotional trauma from the experience of a dog bite. The state allows you to recover economic and non-economic damages in a dog bite injury claim. Economic damages will compensate you for the cost of:
- Medical treatment
- Earnings lost
- Cost of therapy
- Cost of buying medical devices and equipment such as prosthetics
Non-economic damages get based on pain and suffering and if there is any scarring or disfigurement. Many injured parties make the mistake of dealing with the other party and their insurers directly. Although they may seem friendly, the liable party is not your friend, and their goal is to resolve the issue by making the lowest possible settlement.
Your dog bite lawyer will help you pursue fair compensation because they understand everything that goes into determining the worth of such claims. They will also explore if there is a possibility of recovering exemplary damages from the negligent party. Having your lawyer by your side makes the claims process less complicated if the other party has their own attorney.
We also understand the tactics the liable party may use to limit their liability. For instance, the dog owner might claim that you provoked the dog. Our lawyers can help you prove that such a claim is false by gathering evidence and collecting witness testimony.
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Remember the Deadline for Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Louisiana
If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite, you would have one year to file a claim for damages against the liable party under Louisiana Civil Code § 3492. The statute of limitations begins on the day the injury occurred but does not apply to minors. If a plaintiff turns 18 and waits longer than one year to file a claim, they will get barred from recovering damages.
The statute of limitations gives you very little time to recover and also prepare for the claims process. Having a dog bite attorney gives you time to focus on recovering while we work on helping you get compensated.
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Call a Dog Bite Law Firm Today About Your Case
Our Henderson lawyers can get to work on your claim as soon as you contact us. We will investigate the circumstances surrounding your dog bite and gather evidence to support your claim.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today and receive a free consultation. We can help you file an insurance claim or sue the dog owner.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
