Dog owners have a legal obligation to keep their animals under control. Despite this fact, injuries from dog bites and other attacks are a common occurrence. Victims of dog attacks have the right to seek compensation for their losses. However, you must show that an owner was liable under the state’s dog bite statute.
An Iberville Parish dog bite lawyer at Tomeny | Best Injury Lawyers could help you prove liability in settlement talks or court. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys could work to get you the compensation you deserve by evaluating the dog’s prior history, measuring how the event has impacted your life, and building a strong case on your behalf.
Who is Liable for a Dog Bite Injury?
Many states maintain one-bite rules for dog attack claims. This concept means that a dog bite victim can only collect compensation if they can prove that an owner knew of the dog’s violent tendencies beforehand. Other states use strict liability laws that hold an owner responsible for a dog attack regardless of the animal’s past.
In Plaquemine and the rest of the state, the law follows a combination of these concepts. According to Louisiana Civil Code § 2321, the owner of an animal is responsible for the damage that an animal caused if the owner knew or should have known that the animal’s behavior would cause damage. Additionally, the owner must have failed to exercise reasonable care in preventing that harm.
These combined factors establish that an owner is not always liable for a dog bite. Instead, a victim must prove that the owner failed to provide adequate protection and care. An Iberville Parish dog bite attorney could build a strong case against dog owners that show that their failure to act resulted in an injury.
Recoverable Damages After an Animal Attack
Proving that a dog owner was negligent in allowing a bite to occur is only one part of a successful case. It is just as important to be able to demonstrate how the event has changed an injured person’s life.
The primary factor in these cases is the physical injuries that a bite may inflict. Even smaller dogs have sharp teeth that can puncture skin and cause infections. Larger animals may be able to break bones or tear muscles. It is also not uncommon to endure injuries while running from a dog. An owner who is negligent in allowing these events to occur could be on the hook for the medical costs of all needed care.
A dog attack can also impact a person’s life in other ways. A bite may cause extreme emotional trauma or result in lost income during recovery. A dog bite lawyer in Plaquemine could help victims determine the true value of their case and seek out appropriate compensation from dog owners and insurance companies.
Contact an Iberville Parish Dog Bite Attorney Today
Dog bites are serious matters that can affect every part of your life. Not only can they cause severe physical injuries, but they may also devastate your emotional well-being and ability to work. Dog owners who allow these events to occur are liable for all resulting damage. However, in the Plaquemine area, the law puts the burden of proving liability on victims, which is why it is crucial to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible after an animal attack.
An Iberville Parish dog bite lawyer could help you establish a dog owner’s negligence and pursue the payments you need to move on with your life. Contact Tomeny | Best Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.
