After a dog bite, you should first get medical attention. If you are not in immediate need of medical care, you should report the incident, especially if the dog is still loose. Reporting the incident can also provide a report of the situation and note any important evidence. You may also call your local animal control to have a record of the incident. This agency is trained to respond to dog attacks.
Plaquemine Dog Bite Lawyer
Plaquemine Dog Bite Attorney
Dog attacks can sometimes result in catastrophic, disabling, and even fatal injuries. These incidents are especially damaging to vulnerable individuals like children and the elderly. If you or a loved one was injured from a dog attack, you could hold the dog owner liable. An experienced Plaquemine dog bite lawyer can determine if you can file a claim against the dog’s owner and how to effectively maximize your financial recovery. Our expert lawyers team at Murphy Law Firm is here to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Murphy Law Firm: Defending Those Injured in Dog Attacks
Dog bite claims can be complicated, especially when the dog’s owner is someone you know. The support of the right attorney is necessary after these incidents. At Murphy Law Firm, we can help you take the right steps after a dog attack, protecting your rights and financial interests while seeking the necessary compensation for recovery.
You should not have to deal with negotiations with insurance providers or gather evidence of the harm you have suffered while you are trying to recover. Our team has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law, including dog attack claims. We know how to determine if you have a valid case and can work to get you compensation for your medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and other damages associated with your injuries. A personal injury lawyer from our team will provide the expert legal support you need to navigate the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Injuries Are Common in Dog Attacks?
Dog bites and attacks can result in numerous injuries, which can sometimes impact someone for the rest of their life. Some of the common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Sprains
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Infection and disease
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Rabies
- Loss of limb function
- Sight loss
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
After a dog attack, it is crucial that you receive prompt medical care. These injuries can be serious, and certain infections may not immediately seem as life-threatening as they are. A thorough medical examination by a professional is essential to protect your well-being.
More serious injuries require more expensive medical treatment, long-term care, and significant time off work. If the injuries result in a permanent disability, you may never be able to work again and may require mobility aids and medical devices to live comfortably. The more serious and life-altering your injuries are, the more compensation you may need. Understanding dog bite laws is crucial in such cases, as they can affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to and how liability is determined.
When Are Dog Owners Liable for a Dog Attack?
In Louisiana, dog owners are not automatically liable for the harm done by their dogs. Instead, there are specific circumstances requiring some level of carelessness before the dog owner is held strictly liable. A dog owner is liable if:
- They knew, or with reasonable care should have known, that their dog would cause damage.
- They could have prevented this damage by taking reasonable care.
- They did not take reasonable care.
- You did not provoke the dog to attack.
If all of this is true, the dog owner can be held liable for your damages. The support of an attorney is crucial when determining if the dog owner should have taken action to prevent the attack. It requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the dog bite, what caused it, and the owner’s actions or inactions. An attorney can determine if the owner can be held liable and gather proof of that fact.
An attorney is also helpful in determining what damages you suffered that the owner is liable for. While some damages, like the cost of your medical care, are straightforward, other losses are more complicated. Damages that are subjective, like physical pain and emotional trauma, are easier to calculate with a skilled professional. Without an attorney, you may undervalue how much your claim is worth and have long-term costs that the claim does not cover. If you are in Plaquemine, Louisiana, a knowledgeable attorney can ensure that all damages are accurately assessed and that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
FAQs
What Is the Average Payout for a Dog Bite Claim?
There is no average payout for a dog bite claim because each person will have a unique financial recovery depending on the specific losses they suffered. If your injuries are minor, such as minor lacerations, your payout may be less. This is because your medical costs will not be as high, and you likely don’t need a long time to recover.
Serious injuries can have much higher payouts. Effective legal support is also useful for securing the most compensation possible.
Can I File a Claim for a Dog Bite in Louisiana?
Yes, you could file a claim for a dog bite in Louisiana under specific circumstances. If the dog owner knew the animal was likely to cause damage, was able to prevent the damage, and failed to do so, they can be held liable. You also must not have provoked the dog. When these elements are met, you have the grounds for a personal injury claim against a dog owner for the injuries their dog caused you.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bite Claims?
Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers dog bite claims made against the homeowner, although it may only cover bites happening on the homeowner’s property. Without this insurance, a dog owner is entirely liable for the full cost of an injured person’s damages if the owner is found liable. If the dog owner has insurance coverage, the injured party can recover compensation from the insurance provider up to the coverage limits.
Get Free Legal Consultation for Dog Bite Cases at Murphy Law Firm
If you are unsure whether or not you have the grounds for a claim against a dog’s owner, you need to discuss your case with an attorney. The personal and financial consequences of these attacks can be serious, and it is crucial that you have all the legal support you need. Contact Murphy Law Firm today to see how we can help you recover compensation after a dog attack.
© 2024 Murphy Law Firm. All rights reserved.