Get Help From Professional Dog Bite Attorneys

Despite being man’s best friend, not all dogs are friendly. And for many cases, this is the fault of the owner. Especially depending on the size of the dog, damages can cause severe, or even fatal, injuries that may require lengthy hospital stays, reconstructive surgery, painful rehabilitation, and lasting psychological trauma. Don’t pay out of pocket for something that isn’t your fault. Get what you deserve with a professional dog bite attorney at MMCD.

U.S. Dog Bite Statistics

Dog bites occur more frequently than you may think. The statistics about dog bites in the U.S. can be frightening and show that this problem is both widespread and extremely dangerous.

  • The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 4.5 million Americans suffer a bite from a dog every year.
  • Nearly 885,000 Americans will suffer injuries that require emergency medical attention every year following dog attacks.
  • The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that people injured by dog attacks suffer more than $1 Billion in financial losses annually.

In many cases, dog bites could’ve been prevented. Often with proper care from the owner. If you feel your case was preventable, contact our dog bite attorneys.

Louisiana Dog Bite Law

If a dog has bitten you, it is imperative that you first seek the necessary medical treatment and then contact a professional at MMCD so we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Further, you should contact your local Animal Control Agency to file an incident report. The agency will begin an investigation to make sure the dog is current on all of its vaccinations. If not, extra measures have to be taken for your health. The investigation will provide a report and statements to better document your claim. Try to document your injuries immediately after the bite. Take pictures of your injuries, the area in which the attack occurred, and any statements made to you by the dog owner after the attack. 

Louisiana is a strict liability state provided that the dog owner could have prevented the injuries. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2321, “the owner of an animal is answerable for the damage caused by the animal[.] Nonetheless, the owner of a dog is strictly liable for damages for injuries to persons or property caused by the dog and which the owner could have prevented and which did not result from the injured person’s provocation of the dog.”

As a result of this particular language, the Supreme Court of Louisiana held that a dog bite victim is required to prove that the dog posed an unreasonable risk of harm, in addition to the facts that must be proved in the more common dog bite statutes (i.e., that the defendant was the owner of the dog, the dog caused harm to the plaintiff, and the extent of loss to the plaintiff). Pepper v. Triplet, 864 So.2d 181 (La. 2004).

If you’ve been bitten by a dog or a dog has damaged your property, through no fault or provocation of your own, contact an attorney at Mansfield Melancon immediately to secure the compensation owed to you.

Homeowner’s Insurance Implication for Dog Bites

As a dog owner, it is important that you notify your homeowner’s insurance company of any dog(s) within your household. Some policies will not cover certain types of dogs that are known to be more dangerous or more likely to bite. It is imperative that you find out if your dog will be excluded under your homeowner’s policy.

If you are a dog bite victim, it is imperative that you contact an attorney at Mansfield Melancon immediately. Through our experience and expertise, we will investigate your claim and determine if the dog owner’s insurance policy will cover the dog bite. If so, the insurance policy will provide funds to help compensate you for your injuries.

Schedule a Consultation With Our Dog Bite Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite accident, the personal injury attorneys at Mansfield Melancon can help. We are committed to guiding our clients through the legal process with experience and personal attention.

Our offices are conveniently located in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette. Call us or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Louisiana personal injury lawyer. You can reach us at our New Orleans location at 504-500-1108, our Baton Rouge location at 225-612-0800, or our Lafayette location at 337-409-0003.