Were you bitten by a dog in New Orleans, Louisiana? You may deserve compensation. An experienced New Orleans dog bite lawyer can help you fight to hold the dog’s owner accountable. Call the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. at (504) 500-5000 for a free consultation today.
Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. We’re prepared to use that experience to help you fight for every available dollar. We’ve already recovered millions of dollars in compensation awards. Call our law offices to learn how we can fight for you today.
Why Should I Trust the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. To Handle My Dog Bite Case in New Orleans?
The New Orleans personal injury lawyer you hire can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Louisiana dog bite cases are highly fact-sensitive. Recovering compensation from the dog’s owner can be tougher than you might think. Our team at the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. has the tools to handle all of the challenges you might face.
For our success, we’ve been recognized with Martindale-Hubbell’s Platinum Client Champion award. We’ve also earned an AV-Preeminent rating from the prestigious lawyer rating company. Our team is personally invested in the cases we take on in New Orleans, LA. You’ll always have access to your lawyer. We’ll answer your questions and keep you updated at every turn.
For more information about how we can help you take legal action, call us today for a free consultation with a New Orleans personal injury attorney.
Dog Bite Statistics
Based on reports published by the American Veterinary Medicine Institution (AVMA), insurance companies in the U.S. paid dog bite victims roughly $1.86 billion to settle claims in 2025. Roughly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year. Unfortunately, children are often the most likely victims of dog bites.
Overview of Louisiana’s Dog Bite Laws
Louisiana’s dog bite laws are complicated. The state takes a “limited” strict liability approach in dog bite cases.
Dog owners are strictly liable when:
- Their dog injures another person
- They could have prevented the injury by using reasonable caution
- The victim did not provoke the animal to attack
Victims don’t have to prove that the dog had bitten before. They don’t have to prove the dog had a history of aggression or vicious tendencies. The key is determining whether the dog created an unreasonable risk of harm.
What Factors Can Affect a Dog Owner’s Liability?
Somewhat confusingly, the evaluation of a dog owner’s responsibilities is similar to approaches taken in negligence-based cases.
Relevant questions include:
- Did the owner know that the animal created an unreasonable danger?
- Should the owner have known about the risk?
- Did the owner take reasonable steps to prevent the dog from biting you?
- Did the victim share any blame?
Different considerations apply if the dog had formally been classified as a dangerous dog. Dangerous dogs in Louisiana are dogs that meet specific statutory criteria based on prior bites or threatening behavior.
How Can I Prove the Owner Failed To Take Reasonable Steps To Prevent the Dog Bite?
Different types of evidence can be used to prove the owner’s liability.
Examples can include:
- The owner violated New Orleans leash laws
- A responsible party failed to prevent children from approaching the dog
- The dog was permitted to roam freely
- The owner failed to post adequate warning signs
Negligence theories are also relevant. Dog owners generally have a duty to keep their animals under control to prevent injuries. That’s especially true when they take their dogs off their own private property.
In the end, dog bite injury cases are highly fact-sensitive. It’s important to have an experienced lawyer review the details and collect the evidence. Our New Orleans dog bite attorneys are always here to discuss your options. Just give us a call for your free case review today.
How Much Is My New Orleans Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of your case hinges on the severity of your injuries. Some victims require only basic medical care. Others need surgeries, ongoing care, and rehabilitation that dramatically change their lives.
As our attorneys evaluate your dog bite injury case, we’ll consider all the facts, including:
- The nature of your injuries
- Whether you’ve suffered any permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Your age at the time of the attack
- The mental trauma and PTSD you have suffered
- Your current and projected future medical costs
- The amount of income you’ve lost during recovery
- The circumstances of the attack and the strength of the evidence
- Whether provocation is a serious defense
Our lawyers will take the time to consider all relevant details as we’re building your case. No two cases are exactly the same–so you don’t have to feel pressured to take a “standard” insurance settlement.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in New Orleans?
As in any personal injury case, damages are allocated into two primary categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages address direct financial consequences of the dog attack, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages address your personal pain and trauma, to account for things lie:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and fear
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic pain and disability
In the end, your damages should account for any loss you’ve experienced. It’s important to begin documenting your losses early after an injury. Our attorneys can help and offer more details during a free case review.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Dog Bite in New Orleans?
Most personal injury law firms in New Orleans work on a contingency fee basis–including ours. You can hire the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C., without handing over a dime.
How Can Louisiana’s Shared Fault Law Impact My Rights After a Dog Bite Injury in New Orleans?
Provocation is often a viable defense in New Orleans dog bite injury cases. Strict liability laws do not apply if the victim provoked the dog. Instead, negligence theories apply. Louisiana has a modified comparative negligence system in cases where shared fault is at issue.
If a jury finds that a victim is at least 51% responsible for their injuries, they can’t receive compensation. If they find the victim shared any fault, compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Our lawyers know how important this rule can be in dog bite cases. We’ll work hard to keep your share of fault to 0%. If you’re being blamed, contact an experienced lawyer to protect your right to compensation.
Our Attorneys in New Orleans Fight for Clients With All Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause devastating injuries. The nature of those injuries can depend on many factors, including the size of the victim versus the size and strength of the dog.
Our attorneys represent clients with all types of injuries, including:
- Deep lacerations
- Severe bruising
- Soft tissue damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Back injuries
- Serious infections, which can lead to amputations and internal injuries
It’s important to take your injuries seriously. Seek immediate medical care–and follow the doctor’s orders. The risk of infection from dog bites is very real. That’s especially true if the dog wasn’t properly vaccinated.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Dog Bite Injuries in New Orleans?
Typically, the dog’s owner will be held responsible for the damage their dog causes. However, it’s possible that someone else could be responsible–depending on who was in charge at the time of the attack.
At-fault parties might include:
- Dog groomers
- Doggie daycare centers
- Pet sitters and dog walkers
- Veterinarians and their assistants
It’s also possible that a third-party property owner could bear responsibility. That’s true if the property owner allowed the dog onto their property without taking proper precautions to prevent it from harming others.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Louisiana?
The statute of limitations in Louisiana gives you two years. The two-year period begins on the date the dog attacked you. Some exceptions can apply.
If you miss the applicable deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation through the courts. It’s also important to act quickly because evidence can become harder to obtain over time.
Call a New Orleans Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Do you have questions about your right to compensation after a dog bite in New Orleans, LA? Call the Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. for a free consultation today. An experienced New Orleans dog bite attorney can review the facts, listen to your story, and explain your legal options.