Harvey Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Dog Bites Can Cause Serious Injuries and Complicated Liability Issues

Dog bites and dog attacks occur in neighborhoods, apartment complexes, parks, and private homes throughout Harvey and the West Bank area. Many incidents involve dogs that escape fenced yards, are not properly restrained, or are being cared for by someone other than the owner at the time of the attack.

In many cases, the dog owner is a relative or neighbor the victim knows and may even be close to, complicating the entire process of holding the owner accountable.

That accountability is important, even if it strains relationships. Dog bites can be extraordinarily dangerous, potentially changing the lives of children who are bitten, causing serious infection or nerve damage, or leaving victims with physical and emotional scarring.

Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents individuals who have been injured in dog bite attacks in Harvey and throughout Jefferson Parish, helping them evaluate liability, insurance coverage, and their legal options after a serious dog bite injury.

Louisiana Dog Bite Laws and Owner Liability

Louisiana does not follow a traditional “one-bite rule,” but dog owners are not automatically liable for every bite either. A dog owner may be responsible for injuries if:

• The owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies
• The injury could have been prevented with reasonable care
• The owner failed to properly restrain or control the dog
• The victim did not provoke the dog

Evidence that an owner knew or should have known a dog was dangerous may include:

• Animal control reports
• Police reports
• Medical records
• Photographs of injuries
• Photographs of the location where the incident occurred
• Witness statements
• Prior complaints about the dog
• Insurance information
• HOA or apartment complex incident reports
• Surveillance or security camera footage
• Text messages, emails, or social media posts discussing the dog

Dog owners are not always reliable narrators in these investigations. They are often protective of their pets and their own financial interests, which is why these cases often hinge on thorough investigation to uncover evidence that clearly demonstrates the owner’s knowledge of the risk.

Dog Bite Claims Often Involve Homeowners or Renters Insurance

Most dog bite claims are not paid directly out of the dog owner’s pocket. Instead, compensation often comes from insurance policies such as:

• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance
• Landlord liability insurance
• Umbrella liability policies

Homeowners and renters insurance policies frequently include liability coverage for injuries caused by a dog, although some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a known history of aggression.

Even if an insurance policy excludes the dog or there is no obvious insurance coverage, injured individuals may still have legal options depending on:

• Where the incident occurred
• Who owned or controlled the dog
• Whether other parties or insurance policies may be involved

In some situations, a landlord or property owner may also have liability if they knew a dangerous dog was being kept on the property and failed to take action.