Dog Bite and Attack Lawyer and Attorney in Shreveport / Bossier City - Louisiana

Shreveport Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Dogs are the most popular pets in the United States, but what happens when “man’s best friend” turns on you? The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reported nearly 90 million pet dogs in 2017. While most pets are loving and friendly, aggressive and dangerous pets do exist. Poorly trained animals can be sweet and friendly with their owners, but attack people they perceive as a threat. If not properly secured by a leash or enclosed fence, dogs can attack adults, children, and other animals.

Dog attacks can be severe and traumatizing. If you or a loved one was harmed by a dog after their owner failed to secure them, you have legal options available. Contact the experienced Shreveport dog bite injury lawyer at the Greenwald Law Firm. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve while you recover from your injuries. Call us today at (318) 219-7867 to schedule a free consultation with a Shreveport dog bite attorney.

Dog Bite Statistics

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that in the United States, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. Infection occurs in roughly 1 out of 5 bites. Nearly half of dog bite victims are children. Children are significantly more likely to be permanently injured during an animal attack. These statistics show how commonly and how quickly a loving pet can turn against someone.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

In most cases, dog bites involve dogs who aren’t spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering can reduce aggressive behavior in dogs, including roaming and excessive barking. Dogs can bite because they feel threatened, to protect themselves or their puppies, or even when they get over-excited while playing. Most dog bite victims are familiar with the dogs that bite them.

Injuries Following Dog Attack

Dog bites can result in both physical and psychological trauma. Dog bites can cause serious injuries and complications during healing. In cases where the dog attacked the face or neck, skin grafting and cosmetic reconstruction surgery may be necessary to repair the damage inflicted by the animal. Additionally, people who are bitten or attacked by a dog could sustain emotional distress and life-long anxiety triggered when seeing a dog. Dog bites can even cause catastrophic injuries that have life-long consequences.

Some common dog-related injuries include:

  • Fractured and/or broken bones
  • Puncture wounds
  • Loss of limb
  • Severe tearing injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Extensive scarring

Complications from Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can result in infections, which can be life-threatening. It’s a common myth that a dog’s mouth is clean. A dog’s saliva can carry bacteria and diseases that cause their own sort of complications. Puncture wounds may not bleed as much as expected, but these injuries are often deeper and pose a greater risk of infection. Infections can risk the injured victim needing extensive surgery, rehabilitation, and even amputation.

At Greenwald Law Firm, our Louisiana dog bite injury attorneys know the damage that dog bites can cause. We can help you obtain compensation in your case.

DOG ATTACK INJURY

Res Ipsa Loquitur

Louisiana law holds a dog’s owner liable for any injuries they could have prevented. Unlike other personal injury cases, you don’t have to prove extensive liability in the case. In fact, the Louisiana dog bite law ends in a doctrine called ‘res ipsa loquitur.’ This translates to ‘the matter speaks for itself.’ This means that the evidence for a dog bite injury is the dog bite itself. Normally, personal injury law requires that you prove duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. The duty of care, breach, and causation are all proven by the existence of the injury.

Leash Law Violations

Under Caddo Parish ordinances, dog owners should make sure that their pets are in the confines of their home or in an enclosed area. When outside of this area, the dog should be kept on a leash less than six feet long. With these safety measures in place, pet owners should be able to control their pet. If the dog wasn’t on a leash during the attack, this can prove that the owner was not taking the appropriate caution to keep their dog under control.

Do I Have a Dog Bite Injury Claim?

Proving a dog bite injury claim can be tricky. Even though millions of people are bitten by dogs every year, only a small percentage (1%) of these people actually receive compensation for their injuries. Insurance companies often offer the lowest possible settlement for your injuries. If you were bitten by a pet dog without provocation, contact a skilled attorney at Greenwald Law Firm today.

Dog bite litigation can be complicated. A dog owner will fight to prove that you are at fault for your injuries and their dog was merely protecting itself or its family. Provocation is often the only defense for a dog bite injury, and they will try to use this defense.

Working with the Shreveport dog bite lawyers at Greenwald Law Firm is the first step in the right direction. After an attorney-client relationship is established, you can rest assured that our team will do everything possible to ensure your rights are protected and you get maximum compensation for your injuries.

What Damages Can I Recover for my Dog Bite Claim?

The true cost of an injury is more than the hospital bill. After a serious injury, victims often spend days or weeks unable to work until their injuries fully heal. Even after the injury, the psychological damage after an animal attack can require extensive therapy. At Greenwald Law Firm, we fight for the maximum compensation in your case. Dog bite victims can be compensated for:

  • Medical bills, including physical therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Mental anguish
  • Counseling and therapy
  • Funeral and burial expenses, if the injury caused a wrongful death

An animal attack often results in a serious injury that leaves you unable to go back to your daily life. Dog bites can result in extensive medical care, loss of limb, and even death. Dog owners have a responsibility to control their animals and take the necessary steps to prevent a dangerous dog from attacking people.

Shreveport Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Dog Bite Settlement Calculator

There is no tried and true method for determining how much dog bite claims settle for in Louisiana. Dog bites can cause life-threatening injuries and leave lasting consequences. The amount of your settlement depends on the victim, the severity of the injury, the future consequences of the injury, and more.

Children are more likely to be extensively mauled by dog attacks, and courts often have a lot of sympathy for young victims. A wound that requires a few stitches will not have the same settlement as a dog bite that resulted in an amputation.

In most cases, dog bite injury settlements happen outside the courtroom, so the information is not public record. As a general rule of thumb, most personal injury cases settle for around three times the amount of economic damages. Economic damages include direct financial losses, like lost wages and medical expenses. Working with an experienced dog bite injury lawyer from Greenwald Law Firm can help negotiate the settlement insurance companies offer and fight for fair settlement in court.

Personal Injury Lawyer for Animal Attacks in Shreveport, LA

If your or a loved one was bitten by a dog in the Shreveport/Bossier City area, call Joey Greenwald at the Greenwald Law Firm as soon as possible. We look forward to providing aggressive and proactive legal counsel in your case. Our experienced team has decades of experience working with injured victims across Louisiana. Let us do all the heavy lifting while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

The skilled team at Greenwald Law Firm can handle dog bite claims and other animal attack claims. For more information about our legal services, call us today at (318) 219-7867.

Greenwald Law Firm LLC has experience representing clients across Louisiana for almost 20 years. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, know your legal rights. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 318-219-7867.
Call Now Button