Cameron Dog Bite Lawyer

Cameron Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites and attacks can lead to life-altering injuries and trauma. Children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks and are more likely to suffer catastrophic and fatal injuries. When the dog’s owner is careless in preventing the dog from causing harm, the owner may be liable for all the damage the dog causes. A Cameron dog bite lawyer can help victims of dog attacks navigate the insurance or civil claims process and secure financial recovery.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 19,062 dog bite claims in 2023. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that 4.5 million people are bitten each year. Dog bites can result in crushing injuries, nerve damage, broken bones, punctures, lacerations, and infection. The treatment for bites can be costly, and you shouldn’t have to pay when the injury happens because of the negligence of another party.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim With the Cox Law Firm

A dog bite claim is typically filed with an insurance company, such as homeowner’s insurance or a property manager’s insurance. Negotiating with these insurers is not easy, especially as you deal with medical treatment and recovery. Insurance providers do not have your interest in mind and want to limit their liability.

Working with the right attorney can give you the support you need. At the Cox Law Firm, we have worked for decades in personal injury law, and we know how to negotiate with insurers and protect your rights. Our team strongly believes in upholding the interests of those hurt by the negligence of others. With more than 135 years of combined experience, we have the resources and knowledge to support your claim. Let us help you navigate your compensation options.

Steps You Should Take After a Dog Bite

If you have been attacked or bitten by a dog, it is crucial that you take immediate action to protect your own physical well-being. Serious dog bites can lead to lasting injuries and infections. You should consider the following steps:

1. If you have been bitten, do not pull away, as this can make the dog bite down harder or cause lacerations, making the wound worse.
2. When you are able to, move to a safe location away from the dog.
3. Treat the wound, including applying pressure to any wounds that are bleeding, rinsing the wound with mild soap and water, and applying antibiotic cream to the wound. Wrap the area with clean gauze or bandages.
4. Even if the wound is minor, getting medical care as quickly as possible is crucial. Infectious diseases frequently pass from dog bites, and some can be very serious. Getting medical care protects your well-being and provides you with crucial evidence of the bite occurring.

If you have been attacked by a dog in Cameron, some local resources for medical assistance are as follows:

South Cameron Memorial Hospital
5360 W Creole Hwy
Cameron, LA 70631

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
701 Cypress Street
Sulphur, LA 70663

Once the most immediate danger has passed, there are several steps to take to protect a potential claim you make for the injury. If you are able to, you should:

1. Try to find the dog’s owner to recover their contact information and determine if the dog has had shots.
2. Report the accident, such as to the police and animal control. This report can contain the potentially dangerous dog and give you an official recording of the incident.
3. If there were witnesses to the accident, get their contact information.
4. Take photos of the scene of the incident and of your injuries.
5. Write down details of the incident, including the dog’s behavior and appearance.
6. Save medical reports and receipts of your treatment.
7. Talk with a dog bite attorney about your options for filing a claim.

Not all dog bites will result in valid personal injury claims. If a dog’s owner, a property manager, or another party acted negligently and breached their duty of care to you, and this led to the dog attack, they would likely be liable for your injuries. An attorney can review your unique situation to determine if you have a claim under state laws.

FAQs

What Is a Level 1 Dog Bite?

A level 1 dog bite is the least severe type of bite listed in the Dunbar dog bite scale and is not a bite. It is characterized by aggressive dog behavior without any contact with the dog’s teeth. This dog bite scale is used to determine the severity of a person’s injuries and the compensation associated with those injuries compared to other types of bite injuries. The scale goes up to a level 6 bite, which is a fatal bite.

How Much Would You Get for a Dog Bite?

How much compensation you can get for a dog bite relies on your injuries, their severity, why the accident occurred, and other factors. More serious dog bites likely require more costly medical care and longer recovery periods and can cause more serious pain. Your compensation will also rely on other factors, like whether you are working with an attorney or if you are partially liable. In 2023, insurance companies paid out $1.12 billion for dog bite claims.

What Level of Dog Bite Is Serious?

Based on the Dunbar dog bite scale, a dog bite becomes serious at about level 3 or level 4, as this is when punctures are made in the skin, and there may be many lacerations. However, any level of dog bite could result in a claim for the injury if the dog owner’s negligence led to the injury. If you are bitten by a dog, medical treatment is crucial, even for minor bites.

How Many Dog Bite Cases Go to Trial?

Very few dog bite cases go to trial. Most cases are settled outside of court in negotiations. Dog bite cases may be even less likely to go to trial than other cases. When you work with an experienced dog bite law firm, they can explain your options. A seasoned dog bite attorney is skilled in negotiating, improving your chances of avoiding a trial.

Contact the Cox Law Firm Today

You may be able to recover the costs of your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering in a claim. This can give you the financial certainty you need to physically recover from your injuries and move forward with your life after a traumatizing attack. Contact the Cox Law Firm today to see how we can help you.