When dog owners fail to take reasonable care and caution for their dog, and it attacks someone, the owner can be held liable. Although these injuries can seem like they would be less severe than other types of personal injuries, they can be catastrophic and deadly, particularly to children. If you or a loved one was injured in a dog attack, a experienced Gonzales dog bite lawyer can determine if you have the grounds for a claim and help you obtain financial recovery. Our expert lawyers team at Murphy Law Firm is here to provide the legal support you need and help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
You should not be responsible for the costs and financial losses of a dog bite when it happened because the dog’s owner was careless. When you work with Murphy Law Firm, we can help you get the financial recovery you need to cover medical bills, lost income, and the physical and emotional trauma of the attack.
We have more than 30 years of legal experience in personal injury cases, including dog bites and attacks. Our team understands the immense strain these incidents can cause, especially when the dog’s owner is someone you know. At Murphy Law Firm, we also understand how substantially these injuries can affect your life, resulting in serious long-term pain, disfigurement, and disability. A personal injury lawyer from our team will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your suffering and help you navigate the complexities of your case.
We want to help you navigate your case and determine if you have the right to hold the dog’s owner liable and protect your financial future. Our team can provide you with compassionate legal support.
If the dog owner is found to be strictly liable for your damages, you can recover the entirety of your losses. The value of your compensation is dependent on the value of your own losses, both economic and non-economic. Understanding dog bite laws is essential in these cases, as they determine the extent of the owner’s liability and the type of compensation you may be entitled to. A knowledgeable attorney can help ensure that all applicable laws are considered and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Economic losses are monetary losses, including:
Medical bill compensation should also consider the future complications that are common with certain types of injuries and the costs of those complications.
Non-economic damages are losses that are emotional or psychological and do not have set financial values. Instead, they are assigned financial values based on the severity of the person’s economic damages and other factors. These losses can include:
Some of these damages are straightforward to calculate. However, without an attorney, you are likely to undervalue your claim and fail to recover the value of your non-economic damages or future medical bills.
An attorney knows how to calculate your losses, maximize your damages, and ensure the calculation is fair. This information helps significantly when entering negotiations. There are also unique damages if you have lost a loved one because of a fatal dog attack. An attorney can help you navigate this impossibly difficult time and hold the dog’s owner liable.
There is not an average dog bite settlement in Louisiana because every dog bite claim is unique, and the value of your own dog bite settlement cannot be based on other claims. The value of your settlement will depend on factors such as:
Yes, you might have a claim for compensation after a dog bite. Each state holds dog owners to a different level of liability. Dog owners in Louisiana have limited strict liability. They can be held strictly liable for damages their dog does if they knew the dog’s behavior would cause damage or should have known, were able to prevent that damage, and failed to do so. The injured party must not have done something that provoked the dog.
A level 4 dog bite is based on the Dunbar dog bite scale and refers to a single bite that results in between one and four puncture wounds, as well as deep bruising or lacerations. This scale is used to measure the severity of different dog bites. A level 6 dog bite is the most devastating, while a level 1 bite does not break the skin. The scale is often used to determine the compensation based on the severity of the individual’s wounds.
If you are a dog owner, you can protect yourself from a dog bite claim by remaining diligent and preventing your dog from causing damage. Dog owners should also secure insurance coverage, such as homeowners insurance. This insurance coverage can be used if you are found liable for damages done by your dog. Rather than you being held personally liable for the injured party’s medical bills and other damages, the person can file with your insurance coverage. If you’re in Gonzales, Louisiana, it’s important to understand the local laws and ensure you have adequate insurance coverage to protect yourself from potential liability.
You may have been bitten, scratched, knocked down, or otherwise injured by a dog. If the owner should have taken more care to prevent the attack and didn’t, you can hold them accountable. Skilled legal representation is crucial to successfully navigate the case within the appropriate deadlines. Contact the experienced team at Murphy Law Firm to see how we can help.
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