Tangipahoa Parish Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but they are still capable of causing great damage. Dog owners in Louisiana can be held responsible in court for the actions of their dogs, which includes paying compensation to those who have been injured or sustained losses.

If you were injured or bitten due to the negligent actions of a dog owner, a seasoned Tangipahoa Parish dog bite lawyer can help. Having a skilled personal injury attorney at your side can be key to effectively seeking compensation for your injuries and taking advantage of all your legal options.

Liability for Dog Bites in Louisiana

The civil law governing dog bites and animal attacks in Tangipahoa 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:

1. The owner knew or should have known the animal was likely to bite or attack someone else
2. The danger to others could have been prevented with reasonable care
3. The animal owner did not take reasonable steps to prevent injury
4. 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,

Does an Owner Have a Duty to Prevent Dog Bite Attacks?

If an owner knows their dog is likely to be dangerous to others, or if the owner failed to properly train or restrain their dog, 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 Tangipahoa Parish dog bite attorney could further clarify the scope of these laws and how they might apply to a client’s case.

How is Liability for a Dog Bite Injury Proven in Tangipahoa Parish?

To recover compensation for dog bite injuries, the plaintiff must prove that the dog in question directly caused them injury. In some cases, the dog does not bite the victim but can still cause injuries. If a dog lunges at a person and knocks them over, causing them to injure their head, then the dog attack can still be said to have caused the injury.

Victim Liability

In some instances, injured individuals may be partially responsible for their injuries. For example, if the injured person provoked the dog by teasing them, or they ignored a warning sign and sustained injuries, they can be found partially fault. While they may still be eligible to recover damages in some cases, their total damage award would be reduced in proportion to their fault, as detailed in Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323.

Dog Bite Damages in Tangipahoa

Individuals who have been injured due to a dog bite may be eligible to recover a wide range of damages, both economic and non-economic. These can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Cost of medical bills, therapy, and rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

In general, the more severe the injury is, the larger award an injured individual may be eligible to receive. It is best to speak to a determined Tangipahoa Parish dog bite lawyer to take stock of damages suffered and determine a proper amount of compensation.

Time Limits to Bring a Dog Bite Claim

Like most personal injury claims in Tangipahoa Parish, dog bite claims are subject to a statute of limitations. This means there is a limited time period to bring a dog bite claim before the plaintiff is time-barred from seeking compensation.

In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for dog bite cases is one year from the date of injury. Presenting and settling a case—or filing a lawsuit to recover damages—within one year of a dog bite’s occurrence would meet the statute of limitations.

Hire a Tangipahoa Parish Dog Bite Attorney Today

If you were injured or suffered damages due to an animal bite, you may want to consider retaining a Tangipahoa Parish dog bite lawyer to fight for compensation on your behalf. A tenacious attorney can help you in assessing and seeking compensation for all your damages, and they may even be able to fairly settle your case before going to trial. Call today to get started on your case.