Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Metairie, Jefferson Parish, and Southeast Louisiana
A dog bite can happen in seconds and leave lasting damage: broken skin, nerve injuries, scarring, and the kind of fear that doesn't go away easily. If you were attacked by someone else's dog, you shouldn't have to absorb those costs alone. As a dog bite attorney serving New Orleans, Metairie, and the surrounding parishes, Lane Macaluso works directly with injured victims to evaluate what happened, who is responsible, and what your claim may be worth.
There are no associates here. When you call Macaluso Law, you speak with Lane — a solo practitioner with big-firm litigation experience on both sides of personal injury cases. He handles dog bite claims throughout Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the wider Southeast Louisiana region.
How Louisiana Dog Bite Law Works
Louisiana applies a strict liability standard to dog bite cases under Civil Code Article 2321. That means an owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog even if the dog had never shown aggression before. The key question is whether the owner could have prevented the attack by restraining or controlling the animal.
In some cases, prior behavior matters. If the owner knew their dog had a history of aggression and failed to act on that knowledge, it strengthens the injured person's position considerably. Lane reviews the full picture — the dog's history, where the attack occurred, local leash ordinances, and the owner's conduct — to build the strongest possible case under Louisiana's animal attack injury standards.
Types of Dog Bite Cases Lane Handles
Dog attacks happen in more situations than most people expect. Lane represents injury victims across a range of circumstances:
- Attacks by a neighbor's or acquaintance's dog. Pursuing a claim against someone you know can feel uncomfortable, and Lane understands that. He handles these claims respectfully and directly with the homeowner's insurance company — not the neighbor personally.
- Attacks in public spaces. Dog attacks in parks, on sidewalks, or in other public areas raise clear questions about an owner's control over their animal. Lane reviews Louisiana's dog bite liability standard to determine what the owner should have done differently.
- Unleashed or unrestrained dog incidents. A dog that isn't properly leashed or contained is often at the center of a stronger liability case. Lane looks at local leash laws and the owner's awareness of the dog's behavior.
- Injuries to delivery workers and visitors. People visiting or working on a property are owed a reasonable expectation of safety from dangerous animals. Lane evaluates what the property owner knew about the dog's history before the incident.
If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, the right move is a direct conversation. Lane evaluates dog bite claims of any size — smaller cases are taken seriously because they can develop into larger ones.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to Recover
Dog bites produce real, measurable harm. A dog bite claim in Jefferson Parish or elsewhere in Southeast Louisiana may include recovery for:
- Medical expenses — emergency care, wound treatment, follow-up visits, and any ongoing care related to the injury
- Scarring and disfigurement — visible scarring from a bite is a recognized category of damages under Louisiana law, particularly when it affects the face, hands, or other prominent areas
- Lost wages — time away from work during recovery, including any reduced earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to perform your job
- Pain and suffering — the physical pain, emotional distress, and fear that often follow a serious animal attack
Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends on the specific facts. Lane will give you an honest assessment of what your situation looks like — not an inflated number designed to get you in the door.
What Our Clients Say
What You Should Know About the Dog Owner's Insurance
Is a dog owner liable for a bite in Louisiana even if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Yes. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2321, dog owners can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their animal even without a prior history of aggression. The law focuses on whether the owner had the ability to prevent the attack through reasonable restraint or control. A first-time bite does not automatically shield an owner from responsibility.Yes. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2321, dog owners can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their animal even without a prior history of aggression. The law focuses on whether the owner had the ability to prevent the attack through reasonable restraint or control. A first-time bite does not automatically shield an owner from responsibility.What if the dog that bit me belongs to a neighbor or someone I know?
This is one of the most common concerns Lane hears, and it's a legitimate one. In most cases, a dog bite claim is handled through the owner's homeowners' insurance policy — meaning the process involves the insurer, not a direct financial demand against your neighbor. Lane handles these situations with discretion and respect for the relationships involved.This is one of the most common concerns Lane hears, and it's a legitimate one. In most cases, a dog bite claim is handled through the owner's homeowners' insurance policy — meaning the process involves the insurer, not a direct financial demand against your neighbor. Lane handles these situations with discretion and respect for the relationships involved.How do I find a dog bite lawyer near Metairie who will take my case seriously?
The right attorney is one who evaluates your case personally and gives you a straight answer about your options. At Macaluso Law, Lane reviews every inquiry directly — no intake staff filtering your situation before it reaches an attorney. If you're in Metairie, Harahan, New Orleans, or anywhere in Southeast Louisiana, a consultation with Lane costs you nothing and comes with no obligation.The right attorney is one who evaluates your case personally and gives you a straight answer about your options. At Macaluso Law, Lane reviews every inquiry directly — no intake staff filtering your situation before it reaches an attorney. If you're in Metairie, Harahan, New Orleans, or anywhere in Southeast Louisiana, a consultation with Lane costs you nothing and comes with no obligation.What if my injuries don't seem that serious?
Dog bite injuries can evolve. What looks like a minor wound can result in infection, nerve damage, or scarring that requires additional treatment. Lane encourages anyone who has been bitten to get evaluated medically and legally before assuming their case isn't worth pursuing. He handles cases of all sizes and will give you an honest read on what yours looks like.Dog bite injuries can evolve. What looks like a minor wound can result in infection, nerve damage, or scarring that requires additional treatment. Lane encourages anyone who has been bitten to get evaluated medically and legally before assuming their case isn't worth pursuing. He handles cases of all sizes and will give you an honest read on what yours looks like.How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana's general personal injury prescriptive period is one year from the date of the injury. If you miss that deadline, your right to recover is almost certainly gone. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more time there is to gather evidence, document your injuries, and build a complete picture of what happened.Louisiana's general personal injury prescriptive period is one year from the date of the injury. If you miss that deadline, your right to recover is almost certainly gone. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more time there is to gather evidence, document your injuries, and build a complete picture of what happened.
Talk to Lane About Your Dog Bite Claim
Most dog bite claims run through the dog owner's homeowners' insurance policy — not through the owner's personal finances. That's good news in some ways, but it also means you're dealing with an insurance company whose adjusters are trained to minimize what they pay out.
Lane has direct experience navigating homeowners'-insurance-backed injury claims. He knows how these insurers respond to dog bite cases, what documentation they require, and where they typically push back. Having a dog bite lawyer in Metairie who understands that process from the inside is a meaningful advantage when it comes time to negotiate or litigate your claim.
You don't need to figure out Louisiana's liability laws on your own or guess how an insurance company will respond. Lane Macaluso is a personal injury attorney based in Metairie with a second office in Harahan — and he handles dog bite cases throughout Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the surrounding Southeast Louisiana communities.
A consultation is free, straightforward, and handled directly by Lane. If you have questions about a dog attack that injured you or someone in your family, reach out today.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.