Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog bite injuries can be severe and, in some cases, lead to permanent damage. In a dog bite case, like any other bodily injury claim, you will be dealing with the other party’s insurance company. Insurers prioritize minimizing payouts, often disregarding the full extent of an injured party’s physical pain and emotional suffering. Do not let an unfair insurance carrier deny you the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, wage loss, and other damages.

An experienced Las Vegas dog bite attorney understands the emotional impact an attack can have on you and is here to support you in every possible way.

Are Dog Bites Common?

Dog attacks happen more often than many people realize, often stemming from factors such as pets who are fearful, stressed, or have had insufficient socialization. Understanding the frequency of these incidents highlights the importance of awareness and prevention:

  • The Southern Nevada Health District reported 341 cases of animal bites in 2020.
  • According to a 2024 World Health Organization report, approximately 4.5 million people in the United States experience dog bites each year.
  • The National Library of Medicine reported in 2022 that 30 to 50 fatalities annually are linked to dog bites.

Injuries Frequently Resulting from Dog Attacks

Dog bites may lead to a wide array of injuries, including:

  • Fractures
  • Head injuries
  • Loss of vision
  • Puncture wounds
  • Psychological trauma
  • Infections from bite wounds
  • Damage to nerves or tendons
  • Permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • Amputations, avulsions, or crush injuries

What to Do After Getting Bitten by Someone’s Dog

After a dog bite, it is important to seek medical treatment promptly. Not only is immediate treatment important for your health, but it also serves as evidence in a bodily injury claim. Medical records document the extent of injuries. Taking photos of the bite wound and its healing process may further support an animal attack case. It is important to gather the dog owner’s contact information. Having information about the dog owner is necessary to file a claim for injuries.

Documenting the scene of the incident is important for building a strong case. Taking photos of any potential conditions or hazards that may have contributed to the incident is important. For instance, if the dog escaped from the owner’s property due to a damaged or broken fence, it is crucial to take photos of the gate or fence in its compromised state. These photos can serve as evidence that the dog owner may have been negligent in maintaining their property.

Contacting local animal control after a dog attack is an important step in documenting the incident and ensuring the safety of others. Officials can investigate the incident, verify the dog’s vaccination status, and assess whether the dog poses an ongoing threat to the Las Vegas community. Reporting the animal bite creates an official record of the incident. Animal control may also take appropriate action, such as issuing fines or requiring the dog to be quarantined for rabies observation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite?

If a person is bitten by a friend’s or neighbor’s dog, the claim is typically made against the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. In most cases, these types of insurance policies provide coverage for dog bite incidents, as they are considered accidents that can occur on the owner’s property. Filing a claim against the homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy allows the injured party to seek reimbursement without having to go after the dog owner’s personal assets.

Establishing Liability in a Dog Attack Case

When a dog attacks or bites someone in a public space or on private property, the dog owner is typically responsible for damages incurred, including medical bills and other related losses. This is usually the case so long as the injured party was not trespassing or committing a crime at the time of the incident. To establish liability in a dog bite case in Nevada, the following elements must be demonstrated:

  • The dog owner had a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm
  • The dog owner was negligent in fulfilling that duty of care owed to the plaintiff
  • The negligence directly led to the incident causing the plaintiff’s injuries
  • The injuries from the incident resulted in tangible damages

Once a Las Vegas dog bite attorney has established the pet owner’s liability with clear and compelling evidence, they can build a strong case to secure compensation through a settlement with the owner’s insurance company. As always, it is important to have a lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced in handling dog bite claims, familiar with Nevada’s laws and statutes, and has the resources to effectively manage these cases.

What Compensation Can I Receive in a Dog Bite Claim?

Dog attacks can be not only physically painful and traumatic but can also lead to financial hardship. An injured party may face significant medical bills, including hospital visits, treatments for infections, follow-up care, and potentially reconstructive surgery. Depending on the severity of animal bite-related injuries, an injured person may also experience lost wages due to missed work. A successful dog bite claim may help an injured party seek reimbursement of the following losses:

  • Medical expenses for necessary and reasonable care
  • Future medical costs for reconstructive surgery or additional treatments
  • Lost wages if the injured person is unable to work due to medical treatment and appointments
  • Diminished earnings if the injured party is unable to work due to emotional or physical limitations from the injury
  • Scarring and disfigurement, particularly if the bite wound is in a visible area of the body, such as the face, arms, or legs
  • Emotional distress due to the animal attack, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Many people who are injured in attacks also struggle with emotional trauma, and a mental health counselor can assist in managing the symptoms of PTSD or other emotional impacts caused by the incident. Working with a Las Vegas dog bite attorney can help you maximize compensation for your injuries and losses. To get started today, schedule a free consultation by calling our law office or messaging us online.

Dog Bites Involving Children

Sadly, children are especially susceptible to dog attacks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that children aged 5 to 9 experience the highest rate of dog bites. Each year, parents in Nevada and across the country face the challenges of managing the consequences of these attacks on their children as they can endure significant hardships, including emotional trauma and disfigurement.

If a child experiences isolation or bullying due to visible injuries from a dog bite, they may require ongoing emotional support, future surgeries, or additional medical treatment. A bodily injury claim may help cover the costs for treatment such as plastic surgery and other necessary care your child may need moving forward. For more details, contact an experienced dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas for assistance with your case today.

What Should You Do if a Stray Dog Bites You in Las Vegas?

If you are bitten by a stray dog, it is important to report the incident to local animal control to document that the dog was roaming at large. This official record can be crucial in proving the circumstances of the dog attack. Under the Las Vegas microchipping ordinance, dog owners are required to microchip their pets. If it is found that the pet owner failed to comply with this requirement, they may be held liable for both the dog bite and their failure to follow the ordinance.

What is Nevada’s Statute of Limitations for Injury Cases?

In Nevada, individuals injured in an incident, such as a dog attack, have two years from the date of loss to file a case in court. Failure to file a lawsuit within the applicable time limit may result in the loss of the right to seek compensation from the pet owner. Different deadlines may apply in the case of a minor child. For additional information, reach out to an experienced injury attorney near you for assistance.

Get a Free Consultation with a Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bite injuries may have a lasting impact on an individual’s life, affecting both adults and children, and can range from physical wounds to emotional trauma. Anyone experiencing such injuries should take steps to protect their rights. A free consultation with a Las Vegas dog bite attorney is just a phone call away to answer your questions. Call our law office at (702) 600-3200 today. We proudly serve clients in Clark County and throughout Nevada.

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