Dog Bite

Dog Bite

The guy next door has a dog that always growls at your kids when they go to the bus stop, the dog has chased you multiple times while you walked your dog. The owner lets the dog roam the neighborhood despite the leash law and without a fence. Soon you or your child might end up bitten by this fearless dog.

If you or a loved one are involved in a dog bite incident in Louisiana and you don’t know what to do after a dog bite incident , follow the simple steps below:

1. Get Medical Assistance. If the wound is serious, go immediately to the emergency room then follow up with an infectious disease specialist. If the wound is less serious, make an immediate appointment with an infectious disease specialist. An emergency room doctor or general practitioner may not know to test for some the dangerous bacteria that can live in a dog’s mouth. These bacteria can kill tissue, cause sepsis and eat bone. Keep records of medical expenses.
2. Call the police and report the dog and owner. The owner may be criminally liable and this will trigger an investigation by Animal Control which could mandate, fencing, quarantine, vaccinations or muzzling. This creates a record that will be helpful in recovering your medical expenses and personal injury damages.
3. Take pictures of all your injuries.

If the dog bite occurred at the owner’s property or anywhere else you should be covered by homeowners insurance policies. Unless the dog is provoked, the owner is liable for:

> Your medical expenses including expenses covered by your insurance.
> Lost wages for missed time from work for recovery, doctors appointments, surgery, or therapy, mileage to and from the doctor.
> Therapy expenses if you have been traumatized by the incident.
> Reconstructive surgery or scar reduction expenses.
> Medications including antibiotics, pain medication and anti-anxiety medication.
> Pain and suffering for however long you treat for your physical injuries, reconstructive surgery, scar reduction or therapy.

At Ellen Cronin Badeaux in Covington, Louisiana we can discuss and make recommendations regarding your Dog Bite case. Call us at (985)-892-1955 and talk to Ellen Cronin Badeaux in Covington, Louisiana.