If a dog attacks you, causing injuries, you have every right to be angry and worried. After you get medical care, seek out the help of an attorney who can get justice for you.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we bring the legal team you need to your fight. Our dog bite lawyer in Lafayette is your advocate through this process. Contact our Lafayette personal injury lawyer for a free consultation on your case. We have recovered hundreds of millions for our clients.
The Benefits of Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer in Lafayette
When dogs bite or attack people, they can cause serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. Some victims may need multiple surgeries to repair fractures and deep gashes. After the wounds heal, victims may continue to suffer from mental trauma.
If you suffered a dog bite injury due to the owner’s negligence, you might be able to seek compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. These cases are complicated, so you should seek a knowledgeable attorney who can manage your case and protect your best interests.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers have extensive knowledge of dog bite laws in Louisiana. We have been representing injured victims for more than 30 years and have a history of securing favorable results for our clients.
Founding partner, John Jefcoat, is a Lafayette Parish native and a National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 member. Our experienced Louisiana dog bite attorneys are prepared to discuss your legal options.
"I have used Galloway Jefcoat a few times and have always been very satisfied. Furthermore, all of the people who work there are very professional, nice, and courteous."
What Steps Should I Take After a Louisiana Dog Bite?
After a dog bite incident, many victims may feel frantic and unsure of what to do. The first step is to get away from the dog to lower the risk of further injury. Your second priority is to get medical treatment for your injuries.
While you are at the scene, you may be able to gather information to help your lawyer build a claim. For example, you may be able to find the owner and exchange information with them. You may also be able to get a picture of the dog.
However, gathering information at the scene is not entirely necessary. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible to stabilize your injuries. Some dogs may carry infectious diseases such as rabies. A doctor can treat your injuries and run tests to determine if any diseases could have a lasting impact on your health.
Report the Incident
Dog bite victims in Lafayette should report the incident to the Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center. This helps to create an official record of the attack and could also help prevent the dog from attacking others in the future. Animal control can also tell you if the dog has bitten anyone before.
Document What You Remember
Once your injuries have been stabilized, you may want to write down what you remember about the incident. You could also record a video on your smartphone. You would be amazed at how quickly injured victims can forget important details about what happened.
Call Our Dog Bite Lawyer in Lafayette
Our Lafayette dog bite lawyers can tell you what else you can do to help build a case. While you are not required to seek legal help, those who do often secure more compensation than those who do not.
"Galloway Jefcoat are amazing professionals who are very client focused. They will guide you thru all the details to help get your litigation solved. I was involved in a crash that ultimate required a knee replacement"
Why You Should Seek Legal Help After a Dog Bite Injury
By pursuing legal action, you can help prevent other incidents from occurring. Your case can be used as evidence to determine if a dog needs to be classified as a dangerous dog. More so, proving liability in a case like this can be complex.
It will be necessary for your dog bite lawyer in Lafayette to build a strong case and claim for you that demonstrates the owner’s negligence and holds them accountable. To prove liability in a dog bite case, you need to prove that the dog bite caused injuries and that you did not provoke the dog.
Dog bite laws are complex. An experienced attorney from our team can assist you in seeking the compensation that you need to recover mentally and physically.
"As a client of Galloway Jefcoat for over two years I want to take a minute to say how much I appreciate the team handling my case."
What Is Considered a Dangerous Dog in Louisiana
Louisiana follows a strict liability statute under Civil Code Article 2321. This means that dog owners are liable for any damages their dog causes to others if the owner could have prevented it. One component of that is proving the dog is a dangerous animal. In Louisiana (RS 14:102.14), a dangerous dog is one that:
- Was involved in two separate incidents within a 36-month period that caused a person to engage in defensive action to prevent injury. These incidents must have been unprovoked and occurred off the owner’s property.
- The dog bit someone, causing an injury, assuming the dog was not provoked.
- Killed, seriously bit, or injured a domestic animal off the property of the dog owner twice within the past 36 months.
Under Louisiana Title 14, Section 102-6, the law states that dogs used for fighting are considered dangerous, vicious, and a threat to public health.
If you believe these are factors contributing to your injury and losses, seek out the help of our dog bite lawyer in Lafayette for guidance on taking the next step. Even with clear laws, limitations can occur.
"Great experience, from day 1 I felt like I finally had someone on my side and that feeling didn't leave me for 1 single moment."
When Can Dog Owners in Louisiana Be Held Liable For Bites
In Louisiana, dog owners can be held strictly liable for damages for injury to people or property caused by their dogs if the owner could have prevented the attack and the attack was not provoked. Owners need to take steps to prevent an attack if the dog presents an unreasonable risk of harm.
For example, a dangerous dog presents an unreasonable risk of harm. Owners should take extra precautions to prevent the dog from leaving the property, such as posting a “Beware of Dog” sign or installing a fence. Owners should also keep a dangerous dog on a leash when taking the dog off the property.
Even if a dog has not been declared dangerous, owners who are aware of their dog’s excessive aggression should take additional steps to prevent the dog from harming others off the property.
Liability When Dogs Are Provoked
If the victim provoked the animal, the owner may be partially liable or not liable at all. Here are some actions that can provoke a dog into reacting in an aggressive manner:
- Pulling on a dog’s tail
- Yanking at a dog’s ear
- Throwing an object, such as a rock, at a dog
- Startling the animal
This can complicate your claim for losses. In these situations, it is very important for you to seek legal guidance to ensure that you can document losses and prove negligence. Our dog bite lawyer in Lafayette can assist you in that process.
The Value of a Dog Bite Case
Dog bite settlements can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the owner’s level of neglect. If a dog owner is held liable for a dog bite incident, he or she may be obligated to cover expenses such as:
- Medical care: Any expenses you have for medical care received at the time of the bite or afterward to treat complications are costs you can claim.
- Loss of earnings: If you are unable to work for a period of time due to your injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for those losses.
- Pain and suffering: These types of accidents can cause serious injuries that create significant nerve pain and damage. You can receive compensation for any of those losses.
- Emotional trauma: Many dog bites have traumatic influences. Your attorney will help you demonstrate the impact, including the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
- Loss of quality of life: If your injuries cause disfigurement, loss of mobility, or other substantial injuries that can lead to damage to your quality of life. We look at all of the current and future implications to your physical, emotional, and financial well-being due to the dog bite.
At Galloway Jefcoat, our goal is to secure full compensation for all your damages, including ongoing medical costs. We want you to have the compensation you need for the best possible recovery. We are also committed to holding negligent parties accountable for their failure to protect others from injury.
Although some injuries are not reversible, recovering compensation can be an important step in the recovery process.
Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries
The most common types of dog bite injuries are those that cause scarring, puncture wounds, and cuts. Some physical injuries could be permanent, and in some rare cases, dog bites can lead to death. Dog bites can potentially break your skin, leading to bruising and scarring. The severity of a dog bite can be classified in levels:
- Level one: No skin contact with teeth
- Level two: Skin contact made, but no punctures
- Level three: One puncture from a single bite (usually from pulling the dog or victim away)
- Level four: A deep puncture from a single bite (dog could have held or shaken a victim’s body part)
- Level five: Multiple bites at a level three and up
- Level six: Victim death
Some dog bites can cause muscle and nerve damage. Bites to the face and neck can cause serious damage, especially if the dog bite ruptures a major blood vessel. Our case results show how we fight for our clients.
Look for Long-Term Outcomes
Many times, surface-level bites can become more complicated over time. This is especially true when they become infected. One thing to watch for after a dog bite is signs of infection, which can include:
- Fatigue
- Oozing from the wound
- Redness that expands out from the wound
- Fever
- Red streaks coming from the wound
- Losing use of an arm or leg
Dog bites often cause an infection with Pasteurella bacteria. This bacterium can cause a local infection, but sometimes it can cause severe swelling and pain in your joints. However, the most dangerous infections from dog bites are rabies and tetanus.
Signs of PTSD After a Dog Bite
No matter how a dog bite incident occurs, it can be a traumatic experience that leaves lasting emotional scars. Some victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which can result in:
- Trouble sleeping
- Flashbacks
- Avoiding everything that triggers memories of the incident, such as other dogs
- Mood swings (anxiety or depression)
- Lack of interest in hobbies
- Becoming easily startled or frightened
- Having difficulty staying focused
Psychologically recovering from a dog bite can take months or years, depending on the individual. Seeking emotional support from family, friends, or a mental health professional can be vital. Our lawyers want to help you get the compensation you need to get all the medical care you need. Our goal is to help you get your life back after this traumatic incident.
How To Handle a Dog Bite Case With a Family Member
If you are hesitant about seeking legal help for a dog bite involving a family member, remember that your case will involve the insurance company and your lawyer. In most cases, dog owners have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance and do not pay for compensation out of pocket.
Contact a Lafayette Dog Bite Attorney After a Dog Bite
Trying to handle your dog bite injury case without legal help may leave you without the full compensation you need. At Galloway Jefcoat, we have been representing clients for decades. During that time, our Lafayette dog bite lawyers have recovered millions in compensation for their damages.
We have representatives available to take your call 24/7. You can visit our firm to speak with one of our lawyers in person. We are located approximately 15 minutes away from Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.
Our firm does not charge upfront fees to determine if you have a case. We also do not charge upfront costs while we work on your case, and only get paid after you receive compensation.
"Galloway Jefcoat helped me at a time when I felt lost and taken advantage of by my employer."
