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Most states have laws in place for when a
dog attacks or injuries a person, and Louisiana is no exception. The dog bite law
in the Bayou State places more accountability on the dog owner and offers
more protection to victims of dog attacks. If you are a victim, the following
is what you need to know.
According to
Section 2321 of the Louisiana Civil Code, these are the requirements for a dog owner to be found liable for damages:
- The owner knew or should have known their dog was dangerous or exhibited
dangerous behavior, such as growling or striking.
- The injury or damage could have been prevented if the owner had taken reasonable
care, such as placing a muzzle on the dog.
- The owner did not take sufficient care to prevent the injury.
- The animal was not provoked by the victim or other people.
In short, if you have been injured by a dog through no fault of your own
and the dog’s owner failed to provide reasonable care that could
have prevented the bite, you may be entitled to compensation for medical
bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. In addition, the “dog
bite law” also provides protection for other types of damages caused
by an animal, such as jumping on a person and knocking them over.
If you are injured by a dog, the first thing you should do is seek medical
treatment, even if it doesn’t seem serious. There’s always
the risk of disease, infection or
even death if a wound is not treated properly. In addition, you need to collect the
dog owner’s information, call the police to file a report, gather
your own information and enlist the legal guidance of an experienced attorney
to fight on your behalf.
Contact our New Orleans dog bite attorneys
at Womac Law Firm today.
Call (504) 470-3935 for a free consultation.