Dog bites often cause serious injuries and leave you with physical and emotional scars. At Tomeny Best, our team of dedicated personal injury attorneys understands the severity of dog attacks and is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Recovered compensation could cover the costs of the incident and help you move forward. When you or a loved one is injured by a dog in Louisiana, contact a Prairieville dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal rights.
Common Causes of Dog Bites and Attacks in Louisiana
Dog owners should always protect others from their dogs, especially if their dog has a history of aggression. Whether it means engaging in dog training or using a leash in public, owners should ensure the safety of others. When dog owners do not take these basic precautions and lose control of their animals, they endanger those around them. Common pet owner mistakes include:
- Inadequate socialization or training
- Failure to supervise the dog
- Allowing aggressive or reactive behavior
- Neglecting medical care
- Failure to secure the dog
When a dog attacks you, and you believe the owner is negligent, speak to our Prairieville attorneys today.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
In dog bite cases, injuries range from mild to severe. Dog bites can cause various forms of harm, including cuts, bruises, or severe trauma like limb loss. In more serious cases, victims could require expensive medical care such as surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Common injuries from dog bites include:
- Puncture wounds
- Tissue or nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Infection
In addition to physical complications, dog bites often cause emotional trauma. After an attack, injured people often suffer from anxiety and PTSD. When advocating for compensation, a seasoned Prairieville dog bite attorney would consider the emotional trauma the person suffered in addition to their physical injuries.
Louisiana Dog Bite Laws
In Louisiana, bite victims can hold the owner liable for injuries if there is a history of the dog’s aggressive behavior. Under Louisiana Civil Code § 2321, dog owners are strictly liable for their pet’s actions if the owner knew the dog exhibited similar behavior patterns in the past. People who experience dog bites must also prove that the owner did not take reasonable precautions to prevent the attack and that their injuries could have been prevented if a leash or fence properly contained the animal.
Exceptions to the general rule of strict liability apply to some cases. For example, if the injured person was trespassing when the dog attack happened, they may be unable to recover damages for their injuries. Moreover, if the dog owner can prove they did not have reason to believe the dog was dangerous, they could avoid liability. This is known as the “one bite” rule. A dog bite attorney in Prairieville could represent injured parties and fight against these commonly used dog owner loopholes.
Hire a Prairieville Dog Bite Attorney
When you or someone you love is attacked by someone’s pet, speak to a Prairieville dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. A successful personal injury lawsuit could reimburse the cost of medical care, lost income, and other losses related to your incident. Contact Tomeny Best if you have questions about a potential dog bite claim. We offer free consultations and want to help you and your family.