Most states have laws in place for when a dog attacks or injuries a person, and Louisiana is no exception. The dog bite law in the Bayou State places more accountability on the dog owner and offers more protection to victims of dog attacks. If you are a victim, the following is what you need to know.

According to Section 2321 of the Louisiana Civil Code, these are the requirements for a dog owner to be found liable for damages:

1. The owner knew or should have known their dog was dangerous or exhibited dangerous behavior, such as growling or striking.
2. The injury or damage could have been prevented if the owner had taken reasonable care, such as placing a muzzle on the dog.
3. The owner did not take sufficient care to prevent the injury.
4. The animal was not provoked by the victim or other people.

In short, if you have been injured by a dog through no fault of your own and the dog’s owner failed to provide reasonable care that could have prevented the bite, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. In addition, the “dog bite law” also provides protection for other types of damages caused by an animal, such as jumping on a person and knocking them over.

If you are injured by a dog, the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment, even if it doesn’t seem serious. There’s always the risk of disease, infection or even death if a wound is not treated properly. In addition, you need to collect the dog owner’s information, call the police to file a report, gather your own information and enlist the legal guidance of an experienced attorney to fight on your behalf.

Contact our New Orleans dog bite attorneys at The Womac Law Firm today. Call (504) 470-3935 for a free consultation.