If a dog bit you, your child, or another family member, you might be eligible to file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. If you can prove your dog bite injuries were the result of negligence, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner financially liable for your damages.
A lawyer with our firm in New Orleans might be able to help you prove the dog owner’s negligence and why you might be entitled to receive compensation for the injury you suffered. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can explain your legal options for pursuing financial recovery after a dog bite during a free consultation today.
We Can Help You Like We’Ve Helped Others
With more than 100 years of combined experience, we have secured over $200 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Some of these outcomes include:
- A $23,000,000 verdict for a woman’s wrongful death
- A $17,000,000 verdict for clients whose doctor(s) overcharged them
- A $7,000,000 verdict for an 18-wheeler driver who was injured
- A $5,500,000 award for a maritime worker who suffered injuries
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving New Orleans, call (504) 777-7777
Our Dog Bite Lawyers Work on a No-Win, No-Fee Payment Structure
You might lose hours at work and have high medical bills after being attacked by a dog. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a lawyer. Fortunately, our firm operates on a contingency fee structure, meaning:
- Your first call to us is free and comes with no obligation.
- Our services cost you nothing up front.
- There are no retainer or hourly fees involved.
- We don’t take our payment unless you recoup your damages.
Working with us is risk-free, and our payment structure allows us to start on clients’ cases right away with no financial risk to them. We can answer any questions you have about payments during your free consultation.
New Orleans Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (504) 777-7777
Louisiana Dog Owners Are Responsible for Their Pets
A dog bite or attack can cause catastrophic physical damage and lead to severe emotional trauma, which might include a new or worsening fear of dogs. If you or someone you love was injured by a dog bite in New Orleans, you might be able to hold the owner of the dog financially responsible for your injuries and injury-related expenses.
CC Art. 2321 allows you to hold dog owners financially responsible for damages their animals caused if you and your lawyer can prove the owner was aware of or should have been aware of their dog’s aggressive behavior. If the owner “failed to exercise such reasonable care” to prevent their dog from harming others unprovoked, they may be held strictly liable for injuries and other related damages.
Our lawyer serving New Orleans may be able to help you collect compensation if you or someone you love was the victim of an unprovoked dog bite. Our case review team member can review the circumstances of your dog bite case. We can start strategizing on how to build your claim or lawsuit right away.
Potential Dog Bite Damages
Dog bite injuries can lead to extensive and long-term medical treatments. Our team may be able to help you fight to receive compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Current and future medical expenses: Emergency treatment, follow-up doctor’s visits, pain medication, hospital admissions, and corrective surgeries
- Current and future loss of earnings: Tips, bonuses, commissions, hourly rates, and vacation benefits
- Reduced earning capacity: A change in jobs or inability to work
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain
- Disability: Temporarily or permanently
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral and burial costs and loss of consortium
According to Mayo Clinic, a dog bite can leave severe and unsightly wounds that might require corrective surgery. You may be able to include the physical and emotional costs of your physical impairment or disfigurement in your claim for financial compensation.
Our personal injury team may assess your current and future injury-related expenses to reach a conclusive value of your claim. After valuing your claim, we may begin negotiating a financial settlement with the dog owner or their insurer.
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Proving Negligence After a Dog Bite in New Orleans
While you focus on recovering from the physical and emotional damage of a dog bite or attack, our client care team can start working on building your case. Your case will be built on the evidence presented to the at-fault dog owner and their insurance company or legal representative.
Our personal injury team may request some or all of the following items to build your case:
- The police report
- The animal control report
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Proof of income
- Photos of your injuries
- Witness statements
- Available video footage
- The dog’s vaccination and medical records
Letting Our Firm Take Charge of Your Case
In addition to searching for evidence to prove negligence, we can provide other services such as:
- Communicating with other involved parties
- Negotiating for a settlement that appropriately compensates you
- Preparing your case for trial
- Updating you regularly on your case
We encourage you to reach out to our legal team if you have any questions or concerns about your case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Meeting Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations
Your ability to compel compensation for your damages from the at-fault dog owner is time sensitive and subject to Louisiana’s statute of limitations. According to CC Art. 3492, you generally have one year from the date of the dog bite incident to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. The same timeline goes for wrongful death, under CC Art. 2315.2, if your loved one lost their life from the dog bite.
By using the dates on the police report and your medical records, our team can make sure your personal injury lawsuit is filed in compliance with the state’s time restriction. Failure to file your lawsuit within the state’s deadline could forfeit your right to compensation.
The Physical Aftermath of a Dog Bite Can Be Painful
According to the Merck Manual, a dog bite can lead to the following physical injuries:
- Risk of dangerous infection
- Pain, swelling, and redness
- Ragged, unsightly wounds
- Canine teeth puncture wounds
In rare cases, a dog bite might also lead to rabies. According to the Merck Manual, once rabies symptoms develop, there is no effective treatment. So, it is imperative that you seek medical attention after a dog bite injury as soon as possible.
Let Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Help You with Your Dog Bite Case
Our lawyer can help you navigate the claims process if you would like to file a personal injury claim for a dog bite injury. While you concentrate on your physical recovery or helping your child or another relative through their recovery, our legal team can focus on your financial recovery.
You can reach the personal injury team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers in our New Orleans office by calling (504) 777-7777. We welcome you to start building your compensation claim today.
Call or text (504) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
