Can I Sue for a Dog Attack in New Orleans?

If you have been the victim of a dog attack in New Orleans, you might be wondering if you have the right to sue for damages. The answer is yes. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and losses with the help of a skilled New Orleans dog bite lawyer.

Let’s go over the legal aspects of dog bite cases in New Orleans and how the experienced dog bite accident lawyers at Egenberg Trial Lawyers can help you seek justice.

Understanding Louisiana’s Dog Bite Laws

Louisiana follows a “one bite rule” when it comes to dog bite cases. This means that a dog owner may not be held liable for their pet’s actions unless they knew or should have known that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior or a tendency to bite. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and our New Orleans dog bite attorneys can help you determine if your case qualifies for legal action.

Strict Liability in Dog Bite Cases

In some instances, a dog owner may be held strictly liable for their pet’s actions, regardless of whether they had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies. These situations include:

Failure to Properly Restrain or Confine the Dog

In New Orleans, local leash laws and ordinances require dog owners to keep their pets properly restrained or confined to prevent them from causing harm to others. When a dog owner fails to follow these regulations, they may be held strictly liable for any injuries or damages caused by their pet.

For example, if a dog is allowed to roam freely in a public park without a leash and attacks another person, the owner can be held responsible for the victim’s injuries, even if they had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies. 

Dogs Used for Commercial Purposes

When a dog is being used for commercial purposes, such as serving as a guard dog or a police dog, the owner or handler may be held to a higher standard of liability in the event of an attack. This is because these dogs often receive specialized training and are expected to perform specific duties that may involve aggressive behavior.

In these cases, the owner or handler must take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the public. This may include providing secure enclosures for the dog when not on duty, implementing strict handling protocols, and ensuring the dog is always under the control of a trained professional.

If a guard dog or police dog attacks someone without justification, the owner or handler may be held strictly liable for the resulting injuries and damages. This means that the victim may not need to prove negligence on the part of the owner or handler, as the mere fact that the dog caused harm while being used for commercial purposes may be sufficient to establish liability.

Negligence in Handling or Training the Dog

Even if a dog has no history of aggressive behavior, the owner may still be held liable for an attack if they were negligent in their handling or training of the animal. Negligence occurs when a dog owner fails to take reasonable steps to prevent their pet from causing harm to others.

Examples of negligence in handling or training a dog may include:

1. Failing to socialize the dog properly, leading to fear or aggression toward strangers
2. Not providing adequate obedience training, resulting in a lack of control over the dog’s behavior
3. Encouraging or rewarding aggressive behavior, such as allowing the dog to bark or lunge at passersby
4. Ignoring warning signs of the dog’s potential for aggression, such as growling, snapping, or biting

If the dog owner’s negligence in handling or training the animal directly contributed to the attack, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Our skilled New Orleans dog bite lawyers can help gather evidence of the owner’s negligence and build a strong case on your behalf.

Proving Negligence in a Dog Bite Case

To successfully sue for a dog attack in New Orleans, you must demonstrate that the dog owner was negligent in some way. This may involve showing that the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack, such as:

1. Not properly restraining or confining the dog
2. Allowing the dog to roam freely in public areas
3. Failing to provide adequate training or socialization for the dog
4. Ignoring warning signs of the dog’s aggressive behavior

Our skilled New Orleans dog bite lawyers can help you gather evidence to support your claim of negligence and build a strong case on your behalf.

Seeking Medical Attention and Documenting Your Injuries

If you’ve been bitten by a dog in New Orleans, your first priority should be seeking medical attention for your injuries. Even if the wounds seem minor, it’s best to have them evaluated by a healthcare professional to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.

Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, including:

1. Emergency room visits
2. Follow-up appointments with your primary care physician or specialists
3. Medications prescribed for pain, infection, or other related issues
4. Physical therapy or rehabilitation required for your recovery

These medical records will be helpful in establishing the extent of your injuries and the financial impact of the dog attack when pursuing legal action.

Calculating Damages in a New Orleans Dog Bite Case

When you sue for a dog attack in New Orleans, you may be entitled to several types of damages, depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances surrounding the incident. These damages may include:

• Medical expenses, including future anticipated costs
• Lost wages due to time away from work during recovery
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Our experienced New Orleans dog bite attorneys can help you assess the full extent of your damages and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact a New Orleans Dog Bite Attorney Today

If you have suffered from a dog attack in New Orleans, you may have the right to sue for damages. By understanding Louisiana’s dog bite laws, documenting your injuries, and acting quickly to involve a skilled New Orleans dog bite lawyer, you can take the first steps toward seeking justice and securing the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Don’t let the trauma of a dog attack define your future. Contact our New Orleans dog bite attorneys today at (504) 229-5700 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.