Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyers

Although dogs are often called man’s best friend, they can still bite and cause serious harm. Animal attacks often occur due to the negligence of dog owners, who are responsible for controlling their pets. In Nevada, dog owners may be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by their pets. However, insurance companies may not always provide you with all the information or compensation you are entitled to. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you fully understand your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

Work with a Las Vegas dog bite attorney who has extensive experience handling complex injury cases to ensure you receive the best possible result.

Is It Common for Dogs to Bite?

Dog attacks and bites occur more frequently than we think, often due to various factors such as stress, fear, or lack of socialization. It is essential to understand the prevalence of dog bites as it highlights the need for awareness and preventative measures:

• According to the Southern Nevada Health District, a total of 341 animal bites were reported in 2020.
• Approximately 4.5 million individuals in the United States are bitten by dogs annually, according to a 2024 report by the World Health Organization.
• Around 30 to 50 dog bite-related fatalities occur every year, according to a 2022 article by the National Library of Medicine.  

Are Animal Bites Serious?

When an individual is bitten by a dog, they are likely to experience crush injuries, lacerations, and puncture-type wounds. Animal bite cases indicate a risk of infection that is significantly decreased through immediate and copious irrigation for the removal of any foreign bodies. In a study conducted by Talan et. al, 107 patient cases were reviewed, including 57 cat bites and 50 dog bites leading to infection.

Up to 80 percent of cat bites become infected versus 18 percent of dog bites. Cats are more likely to cause puncture-type wounds compared to dogs. As many as 75 percent of cat bite cases report Pasteurella multocida in addition to other anaerobes and aerobes, such as Staphylococcus aureus. In approximately 25 percent of dog bite cases reported Pasteurella multocida in addition to Staphylococcus aureus and mixed anaerobic infections.

Common Injuries Sustained from Dog Attacks

Examples of common injuries sustained in animal attacks include:

• Vision loss
• Head trauma
• Wound infection
• Emotional distress
• Puncture-type wounds
• Nerve or tendon damage
• Bone dislocation or fractures
• Crush, avulsion, or amputation
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

Can a Dog Bite Cause Permanent Scarring?

Scars from a dog bite can serve as a constant reminder of the trauma, affecting an individual’s job performance, self-esteem, and social life. In a personal injury claim for an animal attack, compensation may typically include non-economic damages for disfigurement and scarring. Factors that influence the value of scarring and disfigurements damages generally include the claimant’s age, gender, and location of the scar. For more details, contact an experienced dog bite attorney.

Steps to Take After Getting Attacked by a Dog

After being attacked or bitten by someone's dog, taking immediate action is crucial to protect yourself from harm and your right to financial compensation:

• Collect Evidence: After an animal attack, attempt to track down the owner of the dog to notify them of the incident and obtain their contact information. Take pictures of any details related to the case, including visible injuries, the dog owner’s residence, and a broken fence from which the dog may have escaped from.
• File an Incident Report: A dog bite must be reported to Animal Protection Services immediately. The dog is placed in quarantine for 10 days to ensure it does not have rabies. Further investigation is often necessary to determine if the dog has a history of aggression to be declared a vicious or dangerous animal under Clark County Ordinance 10.16.010.
• Get Medical Treatment: Seek immediate medical care and take preventative measures, particularly if the vaccination history of the dog is not immediately known. Follow all instructions and recommendations from the medical provider if wounds start to show signs of infection. Avoid gaps in treatment as it may impact the validity and value of a dog bite injury claim.
• Consider Future Losses: Think about future expenses, such as ongoing rehabilitation or cosmetic procedures for scar reduction, resulting from the animal attack. These factors are often disregarded but crucial for maximizing a bodily injury claim for a dog bite. Remember, each case is different, so it is essential to take every step to maximize a claim for damages.
• Seek Legal Representation: Retaining legal counsel sooner rather than later can have a considerable impact on the outcome of a case. For instance, an animal attack attorney can hire a private investigator to correctly identify the dog and its owner. They can also find out more about the dog, such as public records of attacks or bites and other valuable evidence.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite Injury in Nevada?

Under Nevada law, a dog owner may be held liable for an animal attack based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. If there is clear evidence proving that the owner failed in their duty to supervise or properly control their animal, they may be held liable for a dog bite causing injury. Factors that may support dog owner negligence in an animal attack case include:

• The pet has a history of biting someone (Nevada’s one bite rule)
• The dog owner failed to keep their pet on a leash while out in public
• The pet was not confined within an enclosure on the dog owner’s property
• The dog owner failed to intervene when the pet started to show signs of aggression, such as pinning the ears back, barking, or growling

Does Insurance Cover Damages from an Animal Attack?

Most injuries and losses due to dog bites are covered through homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance. Exceptions may apply based on the contractual language of the policy itself. For instance, an insurer may refuse to cover an animal attack claim if the pet is one of the excluded breeds. That is why it is useful to consult with an experienced Las Vegas dog bite lawyer who can review the case and identify potential sources of financial recovery.

What Losses Can Be Recovered in a Dog Bite Injury Claim?

Economic and non-economic damages are recoverable through a bodily injury claim for a dog bite incident. Economic damages are calculable and tangible losses the injured party has suffered. Non-economic damages refer to losses that are subjective and intangible in nature. Recoverable damages in a dog attack case include:

• Past and future costs of medical treatment for dog bite-related injuries
• Lost earnings for the time missed at work for recovery from a dog bite
• Future wage loss for permanent and debilitating injuries preventing a claimant to work
• Pain and suffering for the emotional trauma and physical pain that results from an animal attack
• Disfigurement and scarring from a dog bite, particularly if it is in a visible area of the body such as the face or arms

What Happens if a Stray Dog Bites You in Las Vegas?

If you were bitten by a stray dog, it is important to make a formal complaint to local animal control about the stray dog. An official record of the incident can help establish that the dog was roaming freely. With the new microchipping ordinance in Las Vegas, dog owners are required to microchip their dogs. If it is proven that the dog owner failed to microchip their dog, the owner may be held liable for their dog’s actions and the failure to follow the Las Vegas microchipping ordinance.

Importance of Working with an Injury Attorney After a Dog Attack

Understanding the nuances of dog bite laws in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the complexities of these cases emphasizes why hiring a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can be invaluable in navigating these matters effectively.

• Retain Experts: Your animal attack attorney will retain the services of experts to establish the facts of the personal injury case. This includes the type and severity of the injury, identity of the dog, ownership of the dog, link between the injury and the animal attack, and negligence on the part of the animal owner.
• Protect Your Rights: When you hire the right lawyer for your case, your attorney will handle any communications and negotiations with the at-fault parties and insurers. A lawyer that is well-versed in dog bite cases is familiar with the defense tactics that insurance companies often use. Your attorney will know the best way to build a strong case to protect your rights and interests.
• Work on Contingency: Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingent fee basis. This means that no upfront costs are due. In a Las Vegas dog bite case, a lawyer will only get paid if a recovery is made. If the animal attack case proceeds into litigation, the costs of legal representation generally increase.

Unlike the insurance company, an experienced dog bite injury attorney serving Las Vegas and surrounding areas is committed to your recovery through legal representation – helping you and your loved ones move forward with confidence.

What is the Statute of Limitations for an Injury Claim in Nevada?

In Nevada, an individual who sustained injuries through an animal attack, such as a dog bite, must file a case within the two-year statute of limitations. The time limit starts on the date in which the incident occurred. If the case is not filed within the deadline, a claimant may lose the right to seek damages against the owner of the dog.

Contact a Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Animal attack cases can be complicated, especially when the insurance company representing the pet owner disputes liability. It is important to have a personal injury lawyer with the necessary resources to conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident and deal with difficult insurers on your behalf. To speak with an experienced Las Vegas dog bite attorney, call (702) 600-3200. With a free consultation, you can understand your rights under the law. We take great pride in providing our services to clients across the state of Nevada.