First Steps an Attorney Could Take

To set up a dog bite claim, an attorney may begin by sending letters to all appropriate parties, including the owner of the dog. If the owner is unknown, a lawyer may be able to trace the dog back to a particular household. There are other ways to find this information as well, depending on where and how the attack took place. In addition to the dog owner, a lawyer would send letters to the appropriate insurance company.

An attorney may also conduct research as part of the claim process. Lawyers often look into the history of the dog to see if it has a record of attacks or other aggressive behavior. To determine the value of a case, a lawyer could research previous dog bite claims and compare them to the case at hand. Using their knowledge of the local courts, an attorney could use this information to calculate a fair settlement value.

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How Long Does it Take to Resolve a Dog Bite Claim

Filing a dog-bite claim goes rather quickly. It is a matter of sending out the letters of representation, finding out the name of the insurance company, and sending letters to them. However, this is not always enough to resolve a case. If the claim cannot be resolved, a civil suit may be necessary.

What happens after a dog-bite claim is filed on the injury. If it was a minor injury that required minimal medical treatment, the claim could be resolved in a short amount of time. If the person has serious damage that required extensive treatment or reconstructive surgery, the process could take much longer.

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Factors That May Influence a Claim

One of the most important considerations when filing a Lafayette dog bite claim is the location of the attack. For example, if the dog was not within a contained area or was not appropriately leashed, it could have an impact on the liability of the dog owner. Additionally, if the dog had a history of bites but the owner still failed to properly contain it, this may be valuable evidence to the plaintiff.

One potential obstacle to a successful dog bite case could be the conduct of the victim. For example, if the injured person provoked the dog or trespassed into the dog’s area, they may be comparatively negligent. The victim’s conduct may not completely bar them from recovering compensation, but it could reduce their total award. Call the Lafayette personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Laborde Earles for a free consultation.

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Contact a Lafayette Dog Bite Attorney as Soon as Possible

Dog attack victims should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible, because the statute of limitations for a liability claim in Lafayette is two years. While this may seem like plenty of time, evidence is often time sensitive. Witnesses’ memories may fade, and video or audio recordings could be overwritten. The best way to preserve your eligibility for compensation is to retain a lawyer quickly.

For help filing your Lafayette dog bite claim, contact a skilled attorney today and schedule a consultation.

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