Livingston Parish Dog Bite Lawyer
When a vicious animal such as a dog attacks an individual, the resulting injuries can be severe and sometimes permanent. Dog bite injuries can range from small lacerations to large open wounds, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured due to a negligent animal owner, a Livingston Parish dog bite lawyer can help your case. They can gather evidence to prove negligence and to help you seek compensation from the responsible party. Speak to a seasoned personal injury attorney to learn about your legal options and how you can hold the responsible party accountable for their actions in court.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Livingston Parish
The civil law governing dog bites and animal attacks in Livingston Parish is listed in Louisiana Civil Code § 2321. Animal owners are responsible for bites and injuries caused by their animals if four conditions are met:
- The owner knew or should have known the animal was likely to bite or attack someone else
- The danger to others could have been prevented with reasonable care
- The animal owner did not take reasonable steps to prevent injury
- The injured person did nothing to provoke the animal in question
The law is different for dogs as the owner of the dog is strictly liable for damages for injuries to persons or property caused by the dog and which the owner could have prevented. This means for dogs as compared to other animals there is no requirement that it be shown that the dog owner knew or should have known the dog was likely to bite or attack someone. Even so, it must be shown the injuries did not result from the injured person’s provocation of the dog.
Knowledge and Prevention of Dog Bite Attacks
If an owner knows their dog is likely to be dangerous to others, or if the owner failed to train or restrain their dog properly, they may be held liable under negligence law in addition to strict liability for any injuries that their dog causes. Aggravated factors are if the owner trained or abused the dog to make the dog aggressive or dangerous to strangers.
The law in Louisiana also recognizes that a dog owner can take normal and reasonable steps to prevent their dog from harming others. This could be as simple as keeping their dog on a leash when out in public or fencing their yard to separate their dog from pedestrians on the sidewalk. A Livingston Parish dog bite attorney can further clarify the scope of these laws and how they might apply to an individual’s case.
What are the Damages for Dog Bite Victims?
Victims can suffer severe injury due to animal bites. These could include broken bones, loss of limb, scarring, and disfigurement. Fortunately, with the help of a Livingston animal attack attorney, individuals may be eligible to compensation for a wide range of damages. Individuals can recover damages such as medical and surgical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, lost earning capacity, and disfigurement.
When Would a Plaintiff Share Responsibility with a Defendant for an Attack?
In some dog bite cases, the dog owner may argue comparative negligence which is a claim that the victim should bear responsibility for the occurrence. For example, the dog owner may argue that the bite victim disregarded warning signs located on the premises or provoked the dog to attack them.
If the courts find that the plaintiff is partially responsible for the attack, then their compensation award will decrease by their percentage of fault. An experienced lawyer can argue against claims of comparative negligence to help the injured claimant recover more compensation.
Hire a Livingston Parish Dog Bite Attorney to Handle Your Case
Injuries inflicted by a vicious dog can affect you for many years to come. These injuries can keep you from working, result in high medical expenses, and cause physical and emotional scarring. Let a knowledgeable attorney work on your behalf to help you hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Speak to a Livingston Parish dog bite lawyer to learn how you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. Call today to get started.