Baton Rouge Dog Bite Attorneys
Dog Bite Lawsuit Representation
We often consider dogs to be friendly animals who do not pose a danger to others. Unfortunately, some dogs will sometimes attack innocent bystanders, particularly some breeds that have a known propensity to be aggressive. When you are injured because of a dog bite, you may have the right to recover damages under Louisiana premises liability law.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we are prepared to help you hold dog owners accountable for negligence. Our Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers have recovered billions in personal injury damages and settlements for thousands of clients over decades of experience. Our clients are our top priority, and we are committed to providing a personalized, attentive, and compassionate representation. Our firm is also founded on strong Christian values, which guide us in everything we do. We have a complete understanding of the state’s unique laws surrounding these incidents and will leverage our knowledge and resources to effectively advocate for you in and out of the courtroom.
We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve, so call (225) 230-3110 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. You pay nothing unless you recover money.
Louisiana’s Dog Bite Laws
In Louisiana, a dog owner is not automatically liable for a dog bite. It does not matter if the bite was unprovoked or if it leads to considerable harm. Under state law, certain conditions must be met before a dog owner becomes responsible for any injuries their animal causes.
Per the state’s dog bite law, a Louisiana dog owner becomes liable for a victim’s injuries when:
- The dog owner knew (or should have known) that their dog had a history of violent behavior
- The injuries from the dog bite could have been prevented if the dog owner had taken reasonable care to prevent the attack, yet the owner failed to do so
- The victim was on public property or in a place they had permission to be when the attack occurred
- The victim did not provoke the animal
The dog owner must have been aware (or should have been aware) that their animal had the capacity to be aggressive and become violent. In practice, this means that the dog must have bitten someone else before. When there has been a previous incident, the dog owner should know that their pet can become violent and therefore take reasonable precautions to prevent another attack.
Examples of reasonable precautions a dog owner might take to avoid liability include:
- Keeping the dog on a short and secure leash, especially in public areas
- Keeping the dog in a secured, fenced area when the animal is outside
- Tying or chaining a dog to a post when left unaccompanied outdoors
- Placing a muzzle on the dog
The dog owner may not be liable if you were trespassing on private property when the attack occurred. For example, if you crossed through the dog owner’s yard and their dog attacked you, the owner is likely not liable, even if the animal had a history of violent behavior. Similarly, if you provoked an animal by hitting it, kicking it, yelling at it, or throwing objects at it, the dog owner liable will probably not be liable for any resulting attack. Note that children are typically exempt from trespassing rules when it comes to premises liability, meaning the owner could still be liable if their dog attacks a child who was trespassing.
Louisiana’s dog bite law can be confusing, and in the moments after an attack, you more than likely than not will have no idea whether the animal had a history of dangerous behavior. Our Baton Rouge dog bite attorneys can assess what happened, conduct a full investigation, and walk you through your rights and options.
How to Report a Dog Bite in Louisiana
After a dog bite, you should get the wound looked at and treated. The treating facility is required to report the attack, including the owner and location of the violent animal, to the Animal Control Division of Louisiana’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). You should also file your own report with the Animal Control and Rescue Center, the Sherriff’s Office, or your local police department within 24 hours of the incident. The owner of the dog is required to submit a report, but it is in your best interest to file as well.
Is a Dog Bite Really That Serious?
We generally associate dogs of all sizes and breeds with innocence and playfulness, but the reality is a dog bite can do tremendous damage to the human body. Dogs carry a lot of bacteria, and a bite wound can quickly become infected (and life-threatening) if it is not swiftly cleaned and treated. You should seek immediate medical care if a bite leaves deep puncture wounds that have broken the skin or do not stop bleeding after several minutes.
Other types of dog bite injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Broken skin
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scarring
- Tissue damage
Recovering Compensation in a Louisiana Dog Bite Lawsuit
A dog bite may not initially sound like a big deal, but, depending on the size of the animal and the ferocity of the attack, an incident can result in catastrophic and even deadly injuries. A particularly nasty bite could lead to severe bleeding and penetrate muscles, ligaments, or even bones. You must make every effort to document your injuries and seek immediate medical treatment following an attack.
Then, you must act quickly, as you will be unable to recover damages if you wait too long to take legal action. In Louisiana, you typically only have one year after a dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. Should someone die due to dog bite injuries, certain family members will have one year after the victim’s passing to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
To recover compensation in a dog bite case, you must prove the dog owner was negligent by establishing the animal’s history of violent behavior and the lack of precautions taken at the time of the attack. Our team at Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys understands how to build and present a persuasive case and will work to secure a favorable resolution as quickly as possible. We may be able to avoid going to court entirely by negotiating an optimal settlement.
Our Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers will fight to recover compensation for all applicable losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
We are confident we have what it takes to put you back on top, so call (225) 230-3110 or contact us online today.
Client Testimonials
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Billions of Dollars
Recovered for Our Clients
Big or Small, We Maximize Them All
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$8,750,000
Rear-end: Chris’ client suffered head, neck, elbow, arm, wrist, rib, back, and leg injuries in a truck wreck in Pointe Coupee Parish.
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$3,100,000
Side-Swiped: Chris’ client suffered head, neck, and back injuries in a car wreck in East Baton Rouge Parish.
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$2,900,000
Rear-end: Chris’ client suffered headaches, neck, back, and various soft-tissue injuries in a truck wreck in Pointe Coupee Parish.