Many people have heard of dog bite laws by now. It’s well-established that owners of domesticated dogs have a certain level of responsibility to protect others from harm. However, dog bites still happen, with many victims sustaining minor and severe injuries every year.
If someone else’s dog bit or attacked you in Port Barre, you might be eligible for compensation. Consider hiring our Port Barre dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and claim.
Determining Whether You Have a Dog Bite Case in Port Barre
Dogs are usually friendly animals, but they can get scared or feel threatened by certain situations or people. If a dog bites someone, its owner could be held liable for any medical costs associated with the victim’s injuries.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. You might not be able to file a claim if you:
- Provoked the dog
- Were trespassing on private property at the time of the attack
- Were bitten by a police dog while committing a crime
If any of these exceptions apply to your situation, you should still speak with an attorney from our firm about your options. It might be possible to file an appeal or take legal action against the city instead of the dog owner. We recommend speaking to an attorney from our firm before pursuing legal action for any personal injury claim, regardless of your legal situation.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Port Barre, call (337) 777-7777
Factors Determining Your Dog Bite Case Worth
If you’ve suffered injuries from a dog bite, the dog owner may be liable for your damages. An attorney with our team can help you recover compensation for your injuries.
However, you may be wondering what factors determine your case’s worth. Here are the most common factors that determine the value of your dog bite claim:
- Whether the bite caused an injury. If there was an injury, then it will have to be proven that the injury was due to the dog bite and not something else.
- The severity of the injury. Your lawyer will also consider the severity of your injuries when determining your case’s value. It will cost more to treat a severe wound than it does a minor one.
- The amount of lost wages. This could be due to time off from work for recovery, therapy, or follow-up appointments.
- The bite’s location. A bite on the face, for example, may cause permanent scarring, which can dramatically increase a case’s value.
- Witnesses and evidence of the attack. If there were witnesses, this could also help establish fault and thus increase compensation. Photographs of injuries are also helpful in establishing evidence and liability.
- Records of previous aggressive behavior by the dog. In cases where a dog has bitten someone before, prior incidents would have been recorded by animal control, and these records can also be used in court.
Port Barre Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Compensation in a Dog Bite Claim
The value of your dog bite claim will depend on the severity of your injuries. The law allows you to recover compensation for all damages resulting from the dog bite, not just your hospital bills.
Your lawyer could help you get compensation for the following:
Medical Costs
You’re entitled to receive full reimbursement for all medical expenses related to the dog bite, including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and prescription medications. If you have ongoing physical therapy or other treatment needs due to the injury, your lawyer will ensure to take that into account when determining your claim’s value.
Physical or Vocational Therapy
A victim may need physical therapy to recover from the pain and discomfort caused by a dog bite injury. Other victims may also need help learning how to get around with an injury that causes partial paralysis.
Psychological Counseling
The effects of a dog bite are not always physical. Many victims experience anxiety, fear, and depression due to their injuries. Therapy is often necessary for these victims.
Lost Wages
Most dog bite victims miss work while recovering from their injuries. Lost wages are recoverable when the owner is liable for the attack that caused you to miss work.
Lost Earning Capacity
If your injury caused you to miss work or prohibited you from returning to work, you might be eligible to recover compensation for your lost earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Depending on your claim, you might also receive compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish that resulted from your injuries.
Scarring and Disfigurement
In some cases, dog bite victims leave permanent scars or disfigurements after an attack. You could recover compensation for the cosmetic impact of your injuries.
Loss of the Use of a Limb
This type of injury is often associated with more severe attacks. If your injuries have prevented you from using any part of your body, you might be eligible to receive compensation as well.
Click to contact our Port Barre Personal Injury Lawyers today
Why Choose Our Lawyers?
If a dog has ever bitten you, you know it’s a traumatic incident. Unfortunately, getting a dog bite can also mean dealing with insane medical bills, the fear of rabies, and the potential to have scarred tissue on your skin for the rest of your life.
While many people assume there are strict liability laws to protect them in successful dog bite cases, there’s a complex legal framework that governs these types of cases. As such, it would be best to consult a lawyer from our firm to guide you on how to handle your dog bite case.
Our Port Barre dog bite lawyer will represent you in such a situation by leveraging their knowledge of animal law and the best way to settle the case without wasting unnecessary time or money.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for Legal Help in St. Landry Parish
If you’ve recently been bitten by a dog in the Port Barre area, don’t hesitate to contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for legal guidance. We take all dog bite cases seriously, and we’ll fight for you to get the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.
Contact us for a free case review and more information on your claim. We require no upfront fees and costs to get started working on your case. Check out our client testimonials to see what previous clients have to say about working with us.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
