Baton Rouge Dog Bite Attorneys

Dog Bite Lawsuit Representation

We often consider dogs to be friendly animals who do not pose a danger to others. Unfortunately, some dogs will sometimes attack innocent bystanders, particularly some breeds that have a known propensity to be aggressive. When you are injured because of a dog bite, you may have the right to recover damages under Louisiana premises liability law. 

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we are prepared to help you hold dog owners accountable for negligence. Our Baton Rouge dog bite lawyers have recovered billions in personal injury damages and settlements for thousands of clients over decades of experience. Our clients are our top priority, and we are committed to providing a personalized, attentive, and compassionate representation. Our firm is also founded on strong Christian values, which guide us in everything we do. We have a complete understanding of the state’s unique laws surrounding these incidents and will leverage our knowledge and resources to effectively advocate for you in and out of the courtroom. 

We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve, so call (225) 230-3110 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. You pay nothing unless you recover money. 

Louisiana’s Dog Bite Laws

In Louisiana, a dog owner is not automatically liable for a dog bite. It does not matter if the bite was unprovoked or if it leads to considerable harm. Under state law, certain conditions must be met before a dog owner becomes responsible for any injuries their animal causes.

Per the state’s dog bite law, a Louisiana dog owner becomes liable for a victim’s injuries when:

• The dog owner knew (or should have known) that their dog had a history of violent behavior
• The injuries from the dog bite could have been prevented if the dog owner had taken reasonable care to prevent the attack, yet the owner failed to do so
• The victim was on public property or in a place they had permission to be when the attack occurred
• The victim did not provoke the animal

The dog owner must have been aware (or should have been aware) that their animal had the capacity to be aggressive and become violent. In practice, this means that the dog must have bitten someone else before. When there has been a previous incident, the dog owner should know that their pet can become violent and therefore take reasonable precautions to prevent another attack.

Examples of reasonable precautions a dog owner might take to avoid liability include:

• Keeping the dog on a short and secure leash, especially in public areas 
• Keeping the dog in a secured, fenced area when the animal is outside
• Tying or chaining a dog to a post when left unaccompanied outdoors
• Placing a muzzle on the dog

The dog owner may not be liable if you were trespassing on private property when the attack occurred. For example, if you crossed through the dog owner’s yard and their dog attacked you, the owner is likely not liable, even if the animal had a history of violent behavior. Similarly, if you provoked an animal by hitting it, kicking it, yelling at it, or throwing objects at it, the dog owner liable will probably not be liable for any resulting attack. Note that children are typically exempt from trespassing rules when it comes to premises liability, meaning the owner could still be liable if their dog attacks a child who was trespassing.

Louisiana’s dog bite law can be confusing, and in the moments after an attack, you more than likely than not will have no idea whether the animal had a history of dangerous behavior. Our Baton Rouge dog bite attorneys can assess what happened, conduct a full investigation, and walk you through your rights and options.