Louisiana Dog Bite Law Firm

Dog owners are obligated to take reasonable care to prevent their animals from causing harm to others.  However, this is not always the case.  Dog bites unfortunately happen frequently, and often with serious injuries.  If you have been injured by a dog or other animal, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Standard of Care

La. Civil Code article 2321 holds dog owners strictly liable for their pet’s aggressive actions.  However, it requires that the owner have knowledge, or in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known that the dog was capable of causing injuries.  The victim will also need to show the owner failed to take reasonable actions to prevent the attack and that the injuries would not have happened if reasonable care was taken.

A dog owner can defend against liability by claiming a victim provoked the dog in some way.  A victim’s recovery may then be decreased or barred if the dog owner succeeds in a provocation claim.

Dogs that are known to be aggressive are sometimes referred to as “dangerous dogs,” and there are express rules about how they must be handled and kept.  La. R.S. 14:102.14 provides such rules.  It may be possible to show that the owner did not follow these rules despite being aware of what their dog is capable of doing to a person.

Injuries from Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause severe physical and emotional injuries, and often require medical treatment.  If you have suffered injuries from a dog bite, you may have legal remedies.  Any time a dog bite punctures the skin, the bite will require medical treatment.  For minor bites it may only need cleaning, which could come from an urgent care facility or your general practitioner.  Severe bites may require stitches, could cause broken bones, or leave you with mental anguish.

It is vital to get care as quickly as possible.  Seeking treatment will ensure the injuries are properly documented, ensure more significant injuries are not present, and ensure the wounds are properly cleaned to prevent infection.  If the dog has not had current rabies vaccinations, it may be necessary for the victim to take a course of treatment to prevent rabies.

New Orleans Car Accident Attorneys

Bowes, Petkovich & Palmer, LLC is a Gretna law firm that has served the New Orleans area since 1980.  Our experienced personal injury lawyers are well versed at handling all types of injury claims including dog bites and other animal attacks.  We take pride in offering a personal and trusted experience.  Call us today for a free consultation and find out why so many of our clients come back to us.