Shreveport Dog Bite Lawyers

Common Dog Bite Injuries We See

The aftermath of a dog attack often involves serious injuries that require extensive medical care and can leave lasting impacts on victims' lives. Through our decades of experience representing dog bite victims in Shreveport, we've helped clients cope with a wide range of devastating injuries:

• Severe Lacerations and Puncture Wounds: Deep tissue damage that often requires multiple surgeries and leaves permanent scarring. These wounds can penetrate muscles, tendons, and ligaments, reducing function and mobility.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: When victims are knocked down during attacks, they can suffer concussions or more severe brain trauma. The impact can cause memory problems, cognitive difficulties, and personality changes.
• Facial Injuries: Often requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries and leaving lasting emotional trauma, especially in children. These injuries can affect breathing, eating, speaking, and self-esteem.
• Nerve Damage: Causing chronic pain, reduced mobility, or loss of sensation in affected areas. Some victims experience permanent numbness or debilitating pain that requires ongoing medication and therapy.
• Bone Fractures: Particularly in hands and arms used to defend against attacks. These defensive wounds often require surgical repair and extensive physical therapy. Some victims never regain full strength or range of motion in the affected limbs.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Many victims develop severe anxiety, fear of dogs, and other psychological challenges that persist long after physical wounds heal. Simple activities like walking in their neighborhood or visiting friends with pets can trigger intense anxiety and panic attacks.
• Infections: Including severe conditions like rabies, tetanus, or antibiotic-resistant infections that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. 
• Spinal Injuries: From falls or being knocked down during attacks, victims can suffer herniated discs, spinal cord damage, or other back injuries that cause chronic pain and mobility issues.

At Rice & Kendig, we understand that these injuries affect not just your physical health but every aspect of your life. We work tirelessly to ensure your compensation covers both immediate medical needs and long-term care requirements, fighting for the resources you need to rebuild your life after a traumatic dog attack.

Have You Been Attacked by a Dog? Your Rights Matter. Your Recovery Matters.

You've survived the attack — now let us help you thrive. Our experienced team knows how to secure the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us now for your free consultation.

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(318) 222-2772

Steps to Follow After a Dog Bite Incident in Shreveport

The moments following a dog bite are crucial for your health and legal rights. Here's what you need to do:

Your Health Comes First: Get Medical Care

Don't try to "tough it out" — even if the bite seems minor. We've seen too many clients who thought a small bite was no big deal, only to develop serious infections days later. Get checked out by a medical professional right away. Your health is too precious to take chances, and proper medical documentation will help protect your rights.

Make It Official: Report the Attack

Call Shreveport Animal Control and local law enforcement immediately. Why? Because your report could prevent someone else from getting hurt by the same dog. Plus, this official record becomes powerful evidence for your case. Try to include:

• A clear description of the dog and its owner.
• Where and how the attack happened.
• Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
• Photos of your injuries and the scene.
• Any damaged clothing or belongings.

Keep Track of Everything

Think of yourself as a detective gathering clues. Every detail matters for your case:

• Save all medical paperwork and bills.
• Track days you miss work.
• Take regular photos as your injuries heal.
• Write down what witnesses saw.
• Save any messages from the dog's owner.

Protect Your Rights: What Not to Do

We've helped hundreds of dog bite victims and seen how simple mistakes can hurt their cases. Protect yourself by avoiding these common pitfalls:

• Don't take a quick settlement – it's probably far less than you deserve.
• Stay off social media – insurance companies watch these posts.
• Let us handle all insurance company communication.
• Avoid confrontations with the dog owner.

Remember, you don't have to figure this out alone. At Rice & Kendig, we've helped countless Shreveport families navigate the aftermath of dog attacks. Call us immediately — let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing.

Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims

A dog attack affects every aspect of your life. You deserve compensation that covers not only your immediate medical bills but also how this incident has impacted your future. Here's what you can recover under Louisiana law:

Medical Expenses

The costs of treating dog bite injuries can be overwhelming. From emergency care to long-term recovery needs, you shouldn't have to worry about how to pay for the treatment you need. Compensation can cover:

• Emergency treatment and hospitalization costs.
• Surgeries and reconstructive procedures.
• Ongoing care, including therapy and counseling.
• Future medical needs and medications.

Lost Income & Career Impact

When injuries keep you from working, the financial strain affects your whole family. Whether you're facing temporary time off or permanent career changes, you deserve to be compensated for these losses:

• Wages lost during your recovery period.
• Reduced future earning capacity.
• Job retraining expenses if needed.
• Lost benefits and opportunities.

Pain and Suffering

The impact of a dog attack goes far beyond medical bills and lost wages. Louisiana law recognizes the deep emotional and physical trauma these incidents cause:

• Physical pain and trauma.
• Emotional distress and PTSD.
• Anxiety and fear of dogs.
• Impact on relationships and daily activities.

Additional Damages

Dog attacks often create unexpected expenses and long-term consequences that deserve compensation. These additional damages help ensure nothing is overlooked in your recovery:

• Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Long-term disability.
• Property damage.
• Out-of-pocket expenses.
• Loss of consortium damages for your spouse.

Louisiana's compensation laws ensure you can pursue recovery for both economic losses and personal suffering, helping you rebuild your life after a traumatic attack. Let our experienced dog bite attorneys help you understand the full value of your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Louisiana Dog Bite Laws & Your Rights

Louisiana's unique approach to dog bite cases provides strong protections for victims while holding owners strictly accountable. Here's what the law says about your rights:

Louisiana Civil Code Article 2321 - Owner's Strict Liability

This foundational law states: "The owner of an animal is answerable for the damage caused by the animal. However, he is answerable for the damage only upon a showing that he knew or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known that his animal's behavior would cause damage, that the damage could have been prevented by the exercise of reasonable care, and that he failed to exercise such reasonable care."

Key implications:

• Owners are responsible even without prior aggressive behavior.
• No "one bite free" rule applies in Louisiana.
• The owner's knowledge of potential danger is presumed.
• Reasonable care requirements are strictly interpreted.

Louisiana Revised Statute § 14:102.14 - Dangerous Dog Law

This statute defines owner responsibilities and penalties:

• Requires secure confinement of dangerous dogs.
• Mandates specific insurance coverage for dangerous breeds.
• Sets criminal penalties for negligent owners.
• Requires immediate reporting of attacks.

Shreveport City Code Section 14-41 - Local Requirements

Our city's ordinances add additional protections:

• All dogs must be leashed in public areas.
• Owners must maintain current vaccinations.
• Specific breeds face additional restrictions.
• Mandatory reporting of all dog bites within 24 hours.
• Required quarantine periods after bites.

Time Limits Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492

Recent changes affect when you must file a dog bite lawsuit:

• Pre-July 1, 2024 incidents: One-year filing deadline from the day of the attack.
• Post-July 1, 2024 incidents: Two-year deadline from the day of the attack.
• Claims against government entities may have shorter deadlines, so it’s important to contact our dog bite lawyers immediately.

Comparative Fault Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323

This law affects how compensation is calculated:

• Victims can recover even if they are partially at fault.
• Compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
• Multiple parties can share liability.
• Full documentation of fault factors is crucial.

Understanding these specific laws helps protect your rights and supports maximum compensation for your injuries. Rice & Kendig uses our deep knowledge of Louisiana dog bite statutes to build compelling cases for our clients.