Baton Rouge Dog Bite Attorney

Navigate This Page

Please click on any of the jump links below to jump to that section of the page.

• When Can a Dog Owner Be Held Liable For a Dog Bite in Louisiana?
• What Counts as “Reasonable Precautions”?
• Under What Circumstances Can a Dog Owner Not Be Held Liable?
• What to Do After a Dog Bite Attack in Baton Rouge
• Is a Dog Bite Really That Serious?
• How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?
• What Potential Compensation Can I Receive in a Baton Rouge Dog Bite Claim?
• Contact Our Baton Rouge Dog Bite Lawyer Today to Get the Help You Need

When Can a Dog Owner Be Held Liable For a Dog Bite in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, dog owners are not automatically responsible for a bite. Certain legal conditions must be met before an owner is held liable. Under Louisiana law, a dog owner can be held liable if:

• They knew or should have known the dog had a history of violent behavior
• The bite could have been prevented with reasonable care, but the owner failed to act
• The victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property
• The victim did not provoke the dog

This law typically applies when the dog has bitten someone before, giving the owner notice that the dog is dangerous.

What Counts as “Reasonable Precautions”?

Once a dog has shown signs of aggression, the owner is expected to take steps to prevent future attacks. These precautions might include using a strong, short leash in public, keeping the dog in a secure, fenced area, tying or chaining the dog when left outdoors unattended, and using a muzzle in public spaces. Failure to take such steps can lead to legal liability if the dog attacks again.

Under What Circumstances Can a Dog Owner Not Be Held Liable?

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 dog bite laws 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 attorney can assess what happened, conduct a full investigation, and walk you through your rights and options.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Attack in Baton Rouge

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 Sheriff’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.

If the bite caused serious injury, required extensive medical treatment, or involved a dog with a history of aggression, it’s a good idea to speak with a Baton Rouge dog bite attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights, gather important evidence, and take legal action if the dog’s owner failed to take proper precautions.

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.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?

If your dog bite occurred on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file a claim in accordance with Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1. If your accident or incident occurred before July 1, 2024, you had one year to file a claim. A skilled dog bite attorney in Baton Rouge can help ensure your claim is filed within the required timeframe and guide you through the legal process.

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.

What Potential Compensation Can I Receive in a Baton Rouge Dog Bite Claim?

If you suffered catastrophic injuries in a dog attack in Baton Rouge, you may be eligible to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. These categories of damages reflect not only the financial costs of your injury but also the personal and emotional toll it has taken on your life.

Economic losses include measurable, out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and prescription medication. You may also be entitled to recover lost wages if you missed work during your recovery, as well as compensation for any reduction in your future earning ability if the injury causes long-term limitations.

Non-economic losses are just as important, though they can be harder to calculate. These damages cover the physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological trauma you experienced as a result of the attack. If the bite left permanent scarring or disfigurement, impacted your ability to enjoy daily activities, or affected your personal relationships, you may be able to seek additional compensation for those harms.

Every dog bite case is unique, and the amount you can recover depends on the specific facts of your situation. A skilled Baton Rouge dog bite attorney can help you identify the full scope of your losses and fight for fair compensation through a negotiated settlement or a trial, if necessary.