Are You A Victim Of A Dog Bite Injuries?
Our Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers at the Russell Law Firm, LLC fully understand that if you, your child, or someone you love has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Louisiana, the trauma you experienced stays with you long after you physically heal.
Dog bites often result in serious injuries that leave scars that constantly remind our clients of the pain they endured because of the dog owner’s negligence. Louisiana has very specific dog bite laws that require our skilled attorneys to prove dog owners can only be held liable for a dog bite if they knew or had reason to know that their dog would bite someone.
To complicate things further, nearly 75% of all dog bites are caused by a dog that the victim knows. That means pursuing a friend, neighbor, or loved one for your financial recovery needs can be even more complex if you go it alone.
We want to help.
We truly understand that it is difficult for injury victims and their families to trust lawyers. We are here to change that, so you can partner with someone you believe in — and more importantly, someone who believes in you and your case.
At the Russell Law Firm, LLC, we want to help as many people as possible. That is why we offer free, no-obligation consultations to all our prospective clients. You do not have to face your recovery or the insurance company alone. Contact us today to put our winning team in your corner.
What is the Dog Bite Law in Louisiana?
Louisiana Legislation states that dog owners can only be considered negligent for a dog bite if they knew or had reason to know that their dog would bite someone.
In simple terms, this is often referred to as the “one-bite rule.”
The idea is, if a dog bites one person, it is highly likely that the owner knows — or should have known — that the animal tends to bite and, therefore, is capable of biting someone else.
If a dog has bitten someone previously, and then bitten you or a loved one, the owner may be found responsible for your damages.
While this law is someone subjective, especially if the previous bite victim did not report the incident, our Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers will create a precise and compelling argument to prove the legal standard of negligence in these cases.
That includes proving:
- The owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous to people, which could involve any type of aggressive behavior, including growling or striking out against guests.
- The injury or damage could have been prevented had the owner taken reasonable care to prevent it, which could involve placing the animal in a fenced-in area, or behind closed doors when guests are visiting.
- The owner did not take sufficient care to prevent injury.
- The animal was not provoked by the injured person.
Louisiana law does not only pertain to bites, but other injuries as well, including dogs or other animals causing injuries by charging at or knocking down a person or child because of the owner’s negligence.
If you are unsure whether you have a dog bite claim after being bitten or otherwise injured by a dog or another animal in Louisiana, our East Baton Rouge Parish personal injury attorneys are here to provide the legal representation you need to pursue real results.
We believe all injury victims and their families deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter where they live or work in Louisiana, and we would like to help you hold a negligent dog owner liable for the injuries you have suffered.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the very best outcome for your unique case.
What is the Average Cost of Dog Bite Injuries in Louisiana?
Like all personal injury claims, the expenses associated with dog bites in Louisiana are unique to the individual who suffered damages.
However, the Insurance Information Institute estimates about 4.5 million people across the country are bitten by dogs each year, most of them children.
According to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm, liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries cost homeowners’ insurers $882 million last year, with a national average of $49,025 in damages per claim.
The average cost per claim nationally has risen 39% over the past decade, due to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments, and jury awards, which are trending upwards.
Even if you were bitten by a friend or loved one’s dog, our experienced Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers will pursue their insurance coverage directly for your damages, removing you and the dog’s owner from the claim, so your relationship is not impacted by the recovery negotiations.
What is My Louisiana Dog Bite Case Worth?
Since each dog bite case we handle is unique, so are the financial compensation possibilities.
We will then calculate your complete damages and begin negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company to recover:
- Complete Past Medical Expenses
- Future Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs
- Past Lost Wages
- Diminished Earning Capacity
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma
- Pain and Suffering
- Physical Disfigurement
- Loss of Quality of Life
- Property Damage
- Eligible Out-of-Pocket Expenses
At the Russell Law Firm, LLC, we will aggressively pursue each form of financial recovery we believe you are entitled to for your injuries, so you can move forward with confidence and take back control of your life.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Louisiana?
Our dedicated Baton Rouge dog bite attorneys represent clients throughout the great state of Louisiana — from Shreveport to New Orleans, and every Parish in between — when they have suffered injuries from a dog bite or attack.
Our trusted attorneys begin each conversation with our fellow New Orleanians during a free consultation, so they and their families can understand their legal rights and options to pursue the negligent dog owner that caused their harm.
Our proven track record was made possible through our trusted position in our communities, and our commitment to providing experienced legal representation and resources on a contingency basis.
That means, if we do not win your case, you do not pay our legal fees. We will never ask you for any upfront costs, or out-of-pocket payments. When you win, we get paid. That is our promise to our communities.
The Russell Law Firm, LLC is in Your Corner, and We Fight to Win
If you, your child, or a loved one has been bitten or injured by a dog in Louisiana, contact our dedicated Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys today at (225) 307-0088 or online to get the legal support you need to produce real results for your unique case.
Our skilled Louisiana dog bite lawyers and support staff are here to help you get your life back, and we will not stop fighting for your right to recover the maximum amount for your unique case until we produce the results you deserve. Call us now to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions for Our Baton Rouge Dog Bite Attorney
You should immediately clean the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention if necessary. You should also try to identify the dog and its owner, and report the bite to local animal control or law enforcement agencies.
The owner of the dog is generally liable for a dog bite in Louisiana, regardless of whether the owner was aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, so long as injuries did not result from the injured person’s provocation of the dog.
Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the bite.
Yes, Louisiana has a specific statute that governs dog bites, which is Louisiana Civil Code article 2321.
Yes, the state does follow a strict liability rule for dog bites, which means that the owner of the dog is automatically liable for any damages resulting from a bite, unless the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing at the time of the bite.
You generally have one year from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit in Louisiana.
It may be more difficult to recover damages if the dog was a stray, as there may be no identifiable owner to hold liable. However, you may still be able to file a claim and seek damages against other responsible parties, such as the governmental agency charged with a legal duty to protect the public from harm from stray dogs.
If the owner of the dog is a minor, their parents or legal guardians may be held liable for damages resulting from a dog bite.
The fact that the dog had never bitten anyone before is generally not a defense in Louisiana. The owner is still liable for any damages resulting from a dog bite, regardless of the dog’s history, unless the victim provoked the dog.