Each year in the U.S., dog bites lead to an average of 337,103 visits to emergency departments. Dog bites are painful, traumatic, and often expensive events. From a legal perspective, these incidents are often due to the negligence of dog owners, which means that victims can pursue compensation for their injuries.
If you’ve suffered a dog bite, our Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers at Dudley DeBosier can help. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial distress dog bites inflict and can help you get justice and compensation. In addition, you pay us nothing unless we get you money.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites often result in puncture wounds, lacerations, and abrasions. Minor injuries can also escalate to long-term complications, including infections, nerve damage, scarring, and disfigurement. Seeking immediate medical attention after a dog bite is crucial, not just for health reasons but also to create a documented record of your injuries if you decide to take legal action.
Louisiana’s Dog Bite Laws
In Louisiana, dog owners are legally obligated to prevent dog bites. Louisiana law holds dog owners “strictly liable” for any harm their dogs inflict, if the the harm could’ve been prevented by exercising reasonable care. Proving negligence in dog bite cases may involve demonstrating that the owner knew their dog was prone to aggression and failed to control or restrain the dog.
Baton Rouge Dog Ownership Laws
Per local law, all dogs in Baton Rouge must be registered, licensed, and vaccinated against rabies annually. Dogs must wear a collar with a license tag when not being worked/shown. In addition, dogs cannot create nuisances like running loose, excessive noise, or property damage—or owners may face fines. There are also strict ownership requirements for dogs deemed potentially dangerous or vicious.
If a dog bites someone, the bite must be reported to authorities within 24 hours. The dog will be impounded and observed for rabies for 10 days at a shelter, vet clinic, or the owner’s home.
In general, dogs must be confined to the owner’s home, fenced yard, or leashed at all times. Proper food, water, shelter, and vet care must be provided. Abandonment and abuse are illegal.
Determining Liability in Dog Bite Cases
Determining liability is crucial in dog bite cases. To establish liability, it’s important to gather evidence like photographs of the scene, dog, and injury, witness statements, and surveillance footage. Victims of dog bites may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Our team of experienced Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers at Dudley DeBosier can evaluate your case and help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Essential Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
After a dog bite incident in Baton Rouge, it’s important to take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights:
1. Seek Medical Attention: Visit a healthcare professional immediately after the incident for proper treatment and to prevent infection. The record created by this visit will also be important for insurance and legal purposes.
2. Report the Incident: Report the dog bite to local police or Animal Control and make an official report. Again, this documentation is crucial if you decide to pursue legal action.
3. Gather Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible for your dog bite claim, including photos, notes about the incident, witness statements, and records of medical expenses and treatments.
Preventing Dog Bites and Ensuring Safety
Understanding dog behavior and body language can help ensure safety and prevent bites. Here are some tips:
Approach Carefully: Always ask permission before approaching a dog, especially if it’s eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. Avoid running away from a dog or making loud noises.
Watch Behavior: Recognize signs of aggression or fear in dogs, such as stiff body posture, growling, baring teeth, intense staring, and backing away.
Educate Children: Teach children how to interact with dogs safely, including when and how to approach them.
Though you might take every step possible to avoid a dog bite, an attack can still happen. When it’s due to a dog owner’s negligence, the victim has the right to pursue compensation.
Contact Our Baton Rouge Dog Bite Lawyers Today
When dealing with dog bite cases in Baton Rouge, Dudley DeBosier is the trusted choice. Our experienced dog bite lawyers have a proven track record of successful outcomes. We understand that a dog bite can be traumatic and costly, and we’re committed to helping you through every step of the legal process.
Contact Dudley DeBosier today for a free consultation.
