Have You Been Bitten By A Dog In Shreveport?

Dogs are one of the most commonly owned animals in the United States, whether as pets or used for work. However, it is the responsibility of the owner to control their dog, and to ensure that it is kept in a safe way. In most situations, if a dog gets out of control and bites a person, Louisiana law will hold the owner responsible.

If you have been bitten by a dog in Louisiana, a Shreveport dog bite attorney can help to explain your potential options and help you work out how best to proceed in your case.

Dog bite victims suffer over $1 billion in monetary losses each year; such as hospital bills, lost wages, and other expenses. The Journal of the American Medical Association has classified dog bites as a public health problem, and estimates the monetary losses to be as high as $1 billion per year. This is especially difficult to hear because so many dog bites are preventable with sufficient training and oversight on the part of the owner.

Foreseeability Matters

Louisiana’s law can be somewhat confusing surrounding dog bites so it is important to get the facts from an experienced attorney.

You May Be Held Partially Liable

Be advised that even though strict liability controls whether a dog owner is ruled negligent or not, you still may be held partially responsible for your own injuries if the court believes your choices played a role. For example, if you accidentally trespassed into a yard with a dangerous dog, you would not necessarily be barred from recovery, but you would likely be ruled to have been partially at fault, which in turn reduces any award you might receive.

Louisiana follows a doctrine called pure comparative negligence, which means that if you are found partially liable in a civil case, you may still be able to recover damages, minus your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault, you would still, in theory, be able to recover 80 percent of the damages you suffered. It is often worth contacting an experienced Louisiana attorney to discuss your options and evaluating your potential case.

Being bitten by a dog can be a frightening experience, and knowing that the bite could have been prevented can be distressing/ A knowledgeable Shreveport dog bite attorney from Rice & Kendig can offer dedicated and compassionate representation at a time when you may feel as though you have no allies. We are ready to work hard for you. Contact our offices today at 318-222-2772 for a free consultation.

Resource:

legis.la.gov/legis/law.aspx?d=109387

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/413376