A dog bite can cause pain, bleeding, and scarring. The medical costs involved in treating a dog bite injury can be high, especially if you need reconstruction procedures. If their negligence led to the dog bite, the dog owner is responsible for these costs and other losses.
You can ensure the owner pays compensation by filing a claim for the injury. Our Maxie dog bite lawyer can take care of filing the claim and fighting for your right to get compensation. Continue reading to understand what goes into filing a claim, your rights, and what you can recover as damages.
Filing a Dog Bite Claim With the Insurance Company
Most times, the dog owner’s insurance policy covers compensation for harm inflicted by their dog. This means that the claim will be filed with their insurance company. The insurer will assign an adjuster to your case to assess the damages and help ascertain a settlement value.
The insurance adjuster is not there to look out for your interests. Instead, they may limit how much the insurance company pays as compensation. Paying as little as possible helps the firm maintain profitability.
If you say something to the adjuster that points to you being at fault for the dog bite, it might give them a chance to devalue your claim. A lawyer from our firm can take on communication with the insurance company. They can advocate for your right to compensation for the dog bite.
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Potential Injuries from a Dog Bite in Acadia Parish County
Of all the animal bites in America in a year, dog bites are the most common. Children are at a greater risk of being dog bite victims than adults. Because of the small size of children, a huge dog’s mouth is close to their neck and head. So, head and neck bites are common in young ones causing severe injuries.
One of the most severe complications of a dog bite is rabies. Rabies can cause illness in your brain. Thus, you must see a doctor as soon as you can after an attack so that they can treat you if you were exposed to rabies.
The most common problem with dog bites is the risk of infection. Get medical care following a dog bite incident to lower the chances of an infection. Other injuries that can develop from a dog bite include:
- Broken bones
- Cosmetic injuries
- Complications if the injured person has diabetes, HIV, or other compromising diseases
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The State Has Laws to Protect You in the Event of a Dog Bite
Laws concerning how to deal with dog bites are different across states. Under CC Art. 2321, the law provides guidelines on legal action after a dog bite in Louisiana. The statute states that a dog owner is accountable for the damages caused by their dog.
The law is with you if your case meets some set-out qualifications. One is if the owner knew or had reason to believe that their dog’s behavior would eventually cause damage. Next is that the animal owner could have prevented the harm had they practiced due care.
Another qualification is that the owner did not practice such care. The final qualification is that you did not provoke the animal. Our Maxie dog bite lawyer can assess your dog bite case to establish whether you have a strong case.
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Comparative Fault as a Defense in Dog Bite Cases
Comparative fault in Louisiana affects the amount you can receive as compensation in your dog bite case. Under this law, your degree of contribution to the injury gets determined as a percentage. Then, your settlement gets reduced by that percentage.
So, the defendant may use comparative fault as a defense. The more your percentage of fault, the less their liability. Your dog bite lawyer can investigate your case and collect credible and quality evidence to show who was really at fault. Thus, substantial evidence can help protect your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
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Possible Damages in a Maxie Dog Bite Case
One of the most pressing legal questions for victims of dog bites is what damages they can recover. You can recover damages for medical costs. This includes the cost of seeing a doctor, reconstruction surgery, prescription drugs, and physical therapy.
Your lawyer can assist you in calculating the full extent of your medical bills. Doing so prevents you from paying for treatment out of pocket in the future. You can also recover lost income from the time you missed off work.
Some of the non-monetary damages covered by compensation for a dog bite include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A Lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Can Help You Meet the Case Deadlines
It would be wrong to assume that you have infinite time to take legal action against the dog owner. Under CC Art. 3492, you have one year from when you sustained the injury to bring a lawsuit against the defendant.
If you do so after the deadline, there is a risk that your case will be dismissed. Also, if the deadline passes, you may lose some of your negotiating power. Thus, your chances of financial recovery will be in jeopardy. Your Maxie dog bite lawyer can help you bring a case within the stipulated deadline to secure your chance at compensation.
Connect With Our Lawyers for Legal Support
You can get compensation to cover the costs of suffering a dog bite. But the process of doing so can be complicated and stressful. We can handle the financial recovery process as you recover from the dog bite. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation.
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