Generally, dogs are great pets to keep around. But these otherwise gentle animals can turn vicious, leaving you with severe injuries. If you, your child, or a loved one got bit by a dog, you can get compensation from the animal’s owner. This is possible when the owner’s recklessness led to the incident.
Personal injury cases involving dog bites can become complicated. A Marrero dog bite lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers specializes in handling cases like yours from start to end. Read through to understand your legal options after a dog bite, what the law says, and how we can provide aid.
How to File for Compensation After a Dog Bite in Marrero
Dog owners must ensure that their pets do not pose a danger to those around them. This includes safeguarding those who visit their homes and others in public spaces. When a dog owner fails to do so and the animal attacks you or a loved one, they are responsible.
So, you can file a personal injury case for the dog bite against the owner. The dog owner’s insurance company may have the role of compensating you for the damages. But insurance companies can use various tactics to try and pay you less or nothing.
So, before you speak to the insurer, you can consult our Marrero dog bite lawyer for help. They will take dealing with the insurance company off your plate.
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.
ClientLouisiana’s Law Lets You Hold the Dog Owner Responsible
Most states in America have clear laws on dealing with dog bite cases. For Louisiana, the law is found in CC Art. 2321. The state’s law says that the owner of an animal that causes damage will be answerable for the harm.
But there are provisions that your case must satisfy for you to exercise the right to hold the other party accountable. First, the dog owner had prior knowledge or should have known that their pet would bring about harm.
Condition number two is that exercising reasonable care would have prevented the damage. Thirdly, the owner did not exercise reasonable care. Also, if an injured person provokes the dog, it can bring some challenges during financial recovery. Our dog bite lawyers understand Louisiana’s dog bite laws and can explain them further to you.
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 | ClientWe Can Collect Evidence to Strengthen Your Dog Bite Case
Evidence is a critical component in proving your dog bite claims. So, your dog bite lawyer can work hard to collect supporting evidence for your case. An attorney from our firm can talk to people who witnessed the incident.
Their account of the attack can help validate your claims. Your dog bite lawyer can also talk to experts who can testify regarding your case. There might be a camera that captured footage of the dog attacking you. A lawyer from our firm can get access to such footage through legal ways. A video is crucial in identifying who was at fault for the accident.
Video footage can help you counter the defense’s claims that you were partly at fault for the attack. The defense stands to limit their liability if you contributed to the dog bite. Louisiana’s comparative fault laws make sure of this. Under the law, compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault for the bite.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientOur Lawyers Can File Your Jefferson Parish Case Within the Required Time
According to CC Art. 3492, if you want to file a personal injury lawsuit, you have one year. This time starts counting from the day you suffered the injury.
You may have to file a lawsuit for your dog bite if you cannot reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company. Filing a suit places the responsibility of determining a settlement on the jury. But even after you file the suit, your lawyer can continue negotiations with the insurer.
Your dog bite lawyer can start working on your claim as soon as they can to make sure you meet all the deadlines. Filing a suit within one year keeps your case from being dismissed by the court.
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.
ClientSettlement in a Marrero Dog Bite Case
The settlement you receive in a dog bite case usually reflects the severity of your injuries. Dog bites can range from minor to fatal. In children, dog bites can be especially fatal because the injury can be to the head and neck.
A dog bite can cause you to have rabies. It is a virus that affects your central nervous system. If you do not receive medical aid for rabies, the virus can affect your brain and result in death. The more severe your injuries, the more likely you are to get a higher settlement.
You can also develop psychological problems from a dog bite. For example, sleeping can become a challenge, and you may develop anxiety. So, your settlement will reflect both economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
Protect Your Dog Bite Claim by Taking These Steps
You can take specific measures to secure your chances of recovering compensation for your dog bite. Some of the measures involve gathering evidence and keeping it safe. These measures include:
- Getting the contact information of witnesses and the dog owner
- Taking pictures or videos of the damage and the dog
- Filing a report
- Safeguarding all treatment-related bills
Be sure to get treated and follow the doctor’s advice regarding what to do during recovery. Afterward, you can contact a lawyer on our team who can handle all the legal aspects of your case.
Work With Our Dedicated Attorneys
When a dog bites you in Marrero, you don’t have to cater to the medical costs by yourself. Filing a case against the owner can help you recover damages from them. A Marrero dog bite lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help you see to it that the owner is held responsible for their negligence.
