Dog bites can lead to serious, perhaps even lethal, consequences. If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite in Metairie, you may be entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Let a Metairie dog bite lawyer help you take legal action. Reach out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. Dial (337) 777-7777 today.
Dog Bite Law in Louisiana
All dog owners must ensure the safety of others when they are around their dog. If a dog owner fails to uphold this duty, then they might be considered negligent. If you decide to file a case against the dog owner, then you must prove the four elements of negligence. Otherwise, your case may be declared invalid by the courts. Make sure you can prove the dog owner was accountable for the following:
- Duty of care: The dog owner properly trained their dog.
- Breach of duty of care: The dog owner did not properly train their dog. If the dog was dangerous, then they should have kept their dog away from the public.
- Causation: Failure to properly train the dog resulted in it biting you.
- Damages: You now have damages that resulted from the dog bite.
Under Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §2321, should a dog owner’s dog injure someone, it is their responsibility to reimburse the victim for any related damages. However, if the victim provoked or agitated the dog, then the owner may not be held liable.
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What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury
The Cleveland Clinic gives us a rundown on what victims should do after a dog bite:
Make sure you clean the affected area right away and stop the bleeding as much as you can. Keep a bandage on it to prevent further infection. Taking these basic measures may be all you need to heal.
However, if the area starts to swell, hurt more, or you get a fever, seek medical help right away. A doctor can thoroughly clean the area, prescribe you medicine or antibiotics, and, if deemed necessary, give you a tetanus shot. The effects of this vaccination should keep you immune from this infection for about 10 years.
Always make sure to follow up with your doctor after your first visit to make sure you have not had a bad reaction to the vaccine, your condition has not worsened, and that you are not suffering from further infection.
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Recoverable Damages for a Dog Bite
Suffering from a dog bite can impact various areas of your life, making you adjust your daily routine and how you manage your finances. Luckily, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the at-fault party. Recoverable damages are categorized into two types: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These losses hold a dollar value, so you can put an exact amount on how much the at-party owes you.
- Medical expenses: if your injury required you to attend doctor’s appointments, get blood tests, and take medication.
- Lost wages: if the event of injury or the consequences of it (e.g., going to treatment or healing) caused you to miss time at work
- After-life expenses: if your loved one lost their life by getting infected from a dog bite, and you had to pay for their funeral and burial services
Non-Economic Damages
These losses are geared toward things that do not hold a dollar value.
- Pain and suffering: if your injuries were so emotionally and physically debilitating that you could not engage in your usual activities
- Loss of companionship: if your loved one died from their dog bite and you no longer have their support and comradeship
What you can sue for is not limited to the list above. A Metairie dog bite lawyer can go over your damages with you and help you determine what else you can claim. Take action today, and call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Here are some additional Practice Areas that Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Handles:
- Personal Injury
- Truck Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury Claims
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Auto Accidents
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How can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help with a Dog Bite Case?
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you might wonder how a personal injury lawyer can help you. The answer is simple – a personal injury lawyer has experience handling cases involving dogs. They know how to investigate and build a strong case for you. They also know how to navigate the legal system to ensure you receive justice.
The following are some examples of how a personal injury attorney can benefit you:
They can help you collect evidence. For instance, they can locate and interview witnesses who were present during the dog attack. These people could provide information regarding the dog’s breed, size, age, temperament, and more. They can also look into whether there was an owner present at the time of the attack.
They can help you find out which laws apply to your situation. This includes determining what type of law applies to your claim (e.g., negligence, strict liability, etc.). It also means finding out which state’s laws govern the case.
They can help determine if you need expert testimony. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to evaluate the merits of each witness’ testimony. They can then decide if they think they need to call them as experts.
They can help you prepare your case. A personal injury lawyer can help draft a complaint, conduct discovery, and gather evidence. They can also advise you on how to handle certain situations, such as when to settle versus going to trial.
They can assist you through the litigation process. If you choose to take your case to trial, a personal injury lawyer can work with you to make sure you understand the legal proceedings. They can also help you select a jury and manage the courtroom.
They have the knowledge and resources to win your case. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, he or she will likely use his or her own staff to research and prepare your case. He or she will also have access to the latest medical technology and techniques.
They are familiar with the insurance companies involved in your case. Insurance companies often try to pay less than what they owe. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
You can trust our team of attorneys to fight for your rights. We’re here to protect your interests throughout the entire process. Our lawyers are committed to providing you with exceptional service and superior results.
We offer free consultations. Call us today to schedule yours!
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Dog Bites & Dog Attack Attorneys
Dog bites and attacks are one of the most common types of accidents that occur in Louisiana. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3 million Americans suffer from dog bite injuries every year. Of those, about half require medical attention.
In addition to being painful, dog bites and attacks can cause serious physical damage. Some of these include puncture wounds, broken bones, lacerations, loss of teeth, and even death.
If you’ve been injured because of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately after the accident occurs. Your lawyer can review your case and determine whether you have grounds for filing a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
If you do file a lawsuit, your attorney will investigate the facts surrounding the incident. This includes interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and examining any documents related to the incident.
Your lawyer will then determine which laws apply to your case. The laws governing dog bites vary by jurisdiction. In some states, dogs must be licensed and properly vaccinated before they can legally enter public areas. Other states only allow certain breeds of dogs into certain locations.
Your lawyer will also look at the circumstances surrounding the attack. For example, did the dog have prior history of attacking people? Did the victim provoke the dog? Was there adequate warning given? These factors all play a role in determining liability.
Once your lawyer has determined which laws apply to your situation, he or she will begin preparing your case. A personal injury lawyer will gather information regarding the identity of the dog, its breed, where the attack occurred, how much force was used, and other relevant details.
The next step is to interview witnesses who were present during the attack. Witnesses may provide valuable insight as to what happened. They may also have photographs or video footage of the incident.
After reviewing this information, your lawyer will decide if you have a strong enough case to pursue legal action. If so, he or she will prepare a complaint and send it to the appropriate authorities.
After receiving notice of the complaint, the defendant will likely respond. During this time, your lawyer will continue investigating the case and gathering additional evidence. He or she will also attempt to negotiate a settlement with the defendant.
If negotiations fail, your lawyer will proceed to trial. At trial, your lawyer will present his or her case to a jury. The jury will make an award based on their findings.
A personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and more. Contact our office today to learn more about your rights.
A Lawyer Can Take on Your Case for You
Recuperating from your injuries takes time and energy, so navigating the legal process can be too much. Thankfully, a lawyer can do all the work for you so you can focus on your recovery. Some of their duties include:
- Investigating: Your lawyer can gather evidence. Some of it may include locating and interviewing witnesses who saw the dog bite incident. If anyone happened to record any part of the event (business or civilian), they can add this to your case file. In addition, they can review your medical records to note any doctor’s visits or treatment related to the dog bite.
- Helping you meet the statute of limitations: Under Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §3492, if you wish to file either a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, you have one year to do so. Given sufficient notice, your lawyer can bring your lawsuit against the at-fault party on your behalf before the deadline.
- Communicating with relevant parties: Talking to the other party’s legal team, insurance company, and even the party itself can be scary. Fortunately, a lawyer can do all the talking for you. They can even negotiate a settlement for you and keep you informed about any changes in your legal battle.
- Taking your case to court: Although this is a rare occurrence, your case may go to trial if you and the at-fault party cannot agree on a settlement. You can expect that your lawyer will represent you to the best of their ability to get you fair compensation if it comes to this.
- Attending all your concerns: No matter where you are in the legal process, feel free to address any concerns or ask your lawyer any questions about your case. After all, we are working for you.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyer Today
You should not have to bear the financial burden of paying for all your dog bite-related damages. The dog owner was obligated to control their animal, but they failed to do so. A Metairie dog bite lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation from them. To learn more about what we can do to help you, contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 777-7777 today.
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