Why You Should Call a Marksville Dog Bite Lawyer

Each state has procedures for determining legal liability for a dog bite. Whereas some states do not require the plaintiff to prove liability, Louisiana does. Louisiana dog bites fall under personal injury law in Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §2321.

An Avoyelles Parish dog attack attorney from our team can help you or a loved one determine who is liable for your injuries. The owner of the dog is generally liable for their animal’s damages if:

  • They were aware or should have been aware that their dog’s behavior could cause harm.
  • They did not take reasonable care.
  • They could have taken reasonable care to prevent the harm.
  • The injured individual did not provoke the dog to attack.

A dog owner who lets their dog out in the yard without a leash or a fence, knowing that their dog could act aggressively, is not taking reasonable care to prevent harm. If a neighbor walks by and does not provoke the dog yet suffers a bite, the dog’s owner will likely be found liable.

This statute covers not only dog bites but also other injuries caused by a dog’s actions. For example, if a dog jumps on someone and knocks them over, the owner could be liable for any injuries the person incurred from their fall.

With the help of a personal injury attorney from our office in Marksville, the injured person could seek compensation under this law for the damage caused by the dog.

What Laborde Earles Can Do for You After a Dog Bite Accident in Marksville

Our firm’s mission is to help those in need, including dog bite victims. Whether a dog bit you or your loved one is the victim of an attack, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will prioritize your case.

Winning your case is our goal. We also want you to be satisfied with the way we represent you. Our team will:

  • Speak with you and your loved ones, answer your questions, and learn about the effects of your dog bite
  • Respond as quickly as possible to your calls, text messages, and emails
  • Handle each interaction with empathy and compassion
  • Try to accommodate any requests you have for our team
  • Give you case updates as circumstances change

Our team can assist you by:

  • Defending your rights: Defending you will be our priority. Our attorneys will protect you from any party that wants to see your case fail, such as an insurance company, dog owner, or attorney. We will handle all case-related communications so these parties can’t breach your rights.
  • Investigating the cause of your dog bite: We must learn how and why your dog bite accident happened. Whether a dog was loose, an owner failed to maintain control of the dog’s leash, or other circumstances led to your dog bite, we will gather all relevant facts of your case.
  • Identifying those liable for your damages: At the end of our investigation, we’ll zero in on those who owe you compensation. These are the parties we will name in your insurance claim or lawsuit.
  • Preserving evidence: Evidence is a key variable in every dog bite case. Our firm will pursue all useful evidence, which may include witness accounts, video footage, photographs of your injuries, incident reports, and more. Our team will preserve this evidence until it’s time to use it during negotiations or trial.
  • Retaining experts: Our firm can hire experts for your case. We will pay the cost of hiring them, and these experts may testify, reconstruct your accident, and assist us in other ways.

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Filing Within the Statute of Limitations

People who suffer from a dog bite generally have only two years from the date of their injury to file a case for damages per CC 3493.1. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.

Missing this deadline generally prevents the injured individual from filing a lawsuit and bars them from any possible recovery. Potential plaintiffs should also understand that the sooner a Marksville dog bite lawyer can collect evidence in their case, such as pictures of the bite and medical records, the stronger their case may be.

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to det...

I am very impressed with Jillie Boone’s professionalism and dedication. She demonstrates excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of reliability. Jillie consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everything is handled efficiently and with care. Her knowledge and work ethic make her an outstanding professional, and I would highly recommend her!

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I had an amazing experience working with my paralegal, Wesley Guillory, at Laborde Earles Law Firm. Wesley went above and beyond for me throughout the...

I had an amazing experience working with my paralegal, Wesley Guillory, at Laborde Earles Law Firm. Wesley went above and beyond for me throughout the entire process. He was always patient, knowledgeable, and quick to respond to any questions I had. What stood out most was how genuinely he cared. He made sure I understood every step and always made me feel supported and informed.

Wesley’s professionalism and compassion truly set him apart. He made a stressful situation so much easier, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of his hard work. I highly recommend Wesley and the entire Laborde Earles team. They really do put their clients first.

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Lafayette

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking...

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Marsh today. She was extremely knowledgeable in addition to being patient and empathetic. She was able to provide me with the necessary resources and provided me with encouragement throughout the process. I definitely recommend Laborde Earls! Ask for Courtney!

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Megan C.

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. He...

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. Her communication is clear, and she truly cares about delivering results. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

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Mimi

Lake Charles

Jourdan is an outstanding paralegal! She is knowledgeable, organized, and truly cares about the clients she works with. Every interaction I’ve h...

Jourdan is an outstanding paralegal! She is knowledgeable, organized, and truly cares about the clients she works with. Every interaction I’ve had with her has been positive — she takes the time to explain things clearly and makes the process much less stressful. Laborde Earles Law Firm is lucky to have someone like Jourdan on their team. I would highly recommend both Jourdan and the firm to anyone looking for trustworthy and reliable legal support.

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Matt Picard

New Orleans

I am able to witness Karely Cornwell handle calls from people who are in need of Laborde Earles services. She is always polite and professional. I thi...

I am able to witness Karely Cornwell handle calls from people who are in need of Laborde Earles services. She is always polite and professional. I think it’s safe to assume that the majority of people who call in are stressed and to have someone who is calm and kind taking the call is a great representation of the company.

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Debbie Fontenot

Marksville

Mr. DC and Amber have always been available to answer my questions and concerns. I have never doubted that they were working on our side and have had ...

Mr. DC and Amber have always been available to answer my questions and concerns. I have never doubted that they were working on our side and have had our best interest and our well being as a priority. I would recommend them to friends and family. My case had some extenuating circumstances and they both worked diligently to help us. I am very thankful for their service and dedication to us.

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Michel Lanclos

New Orleans

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Elizabeth Lachney I absolutely hands down the best. She is very professional, knowledgeable and most importantly she is very respectful. She is one reason why we use Laborde Earles Law Firm. They make you feel like family!

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Tiffany Bardwell

New Iberia

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How Do You Prove Negligence in a Dog Bite Case?

Dog bite laws in Marksville are based on strict negligence laws. This means that to be awarded damages, the plaintiff in a dog bite case must show that the owner breached their duty of care by failing to control or restrain the dog and prevent a foreseeable injury. This differs from ordinary negligence cases where a plaintiff must also demonstrate they suffered injuries that another negligent party directly caused.
Injured plaintiffs may need to discuss the circumstances surrounding their injury with a Marksville dog bite lawyer to determine if these facts can be proven in a civil court of law. Our team can review your case at no cost to you.

It is important to note that if the injured individual provoked the dog to bite or otherwise injure them, the dog’s owner may not be liable for the plaintiff’s damages. It may be unlikely that a Marksville court will compensate a plaintiff in this instance.

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Recoverable Damages After a Dog Attack

When a plaintiff files a lawsuit, their objective is to either receive a fair settlement in the case or go to trial and have the jury award them compensation. The value of settlements or trial verdicts depends on the damages suffered by the dog attack victim. Recoverable damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of a limb or bodily function
  • Medical and surgical bills
  • Physical or occupational therapy
  • Loss of society
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Lost wages or future earning capacity

When we review your case, our team will account for each damage you have suffered. This includes losses and expenses you have already experienced and those you may experience in the future.

Talk to Our Marksville Dog Bite Lawyer for Your Case

If a dog bite recently injured you, you might benefit from compassionate legal assistance. A Marksville dog bite lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your physical injuries, pain and suffering, and any therapy or future medical expenses you require.

When you choose us to represent you, an attorney from our firm will help you navigate complex Louisiana laws and work to prove the facts of your case. Consult with our team about hiring our attorneys today.

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