Dogs may be man’s best friend, but sometimes that friendship goes awry. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Even the friendliest dogs can react unpredictably and bite their owner, or worse, a complete stranger.
Dog bite injuries can be very serious. For that reason, Louisiana lawmakers enacted a comprehensive set of dog bite laws to protect citizens if they’re bitten. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Louisiana dog bite laws!
Dog Owners Are Responsible
When a dog bites someone, the owner’s first response is probably one of surprise. This may be the first time that their dog has ever shown any signs of aggression, or they might try to cover for their dog’s behavior. Regardless of whether the dog has been aggressive in the past, owners are responsible for their dog’s actions in Louisiana, with some caveats.
As the plaintiff, you need to show that the owner knew that their dog had a history of similar behavior. That doesn’t mean that they just have a breed that is stereotypically aggressive. The dog would need to have acted in that manner before for you to succeed on your claim.
You may also hold the owner responsible if you can prove negligence. Every dog owner has a duty to take reasonable precautions so their dog doesn’t injure someone. If they fail to take those precautions, you’re injured as a result, and the owner could have reasonably foreseen the injury, you may succeed.
Statute of Limitations
If you’ve recently been the victim of a dog bite, you might be considering legal action. Louisiana laws give you a right to pursue legal action, but you have a very limited window of time to pursue it.
This window of time is known as a statute of limitations. In Louisiana, you have up to one year from the date of the bite to file your case. If you file after that time, there’s a very high likelihood that the court will dismiss your case.
Application of Dog Bite Laws
Dog bite laws in Louisiana are there to protect you, but that doesn’t mean they’re always easy to navigate. Determining whether the laws were violated in your case might seem downright tricky.
For this reason, it’s important to hire an experienced dog bite lawyer to help you with your case. Your lawyer will walk you through every step of the legal process and give you the best chance at success in court.
Do You Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Louisiana dog bite laws protect residents from suffering severe financial loss because of a dog bite injury. If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite, be sure to seek medical care promptly and document all of the expenses you’ve incurred. Be sure to contact a dog bite lawyer right away to help you exercise your right to compensation.
Are you looking for an experienced dog bite lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana? You’ve come to the right place. Contact Wright & Gray Trial Lawyers today to learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve!