Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyer

Nevada uses a fault-based system for dog bite cases, relying on legal standards such as negligence or knowledge of prior danger. While the dog’s owner is often a central figure, several different parties can sometimes share responsibility for an injury.

Possible At-Fault Parties

Who can be sued comes down to a few factors. First, who had control over the dog? Did they know or should they have known of any risk of the dog? And did they fail to take steps to prevent an attack? Here are parties you might be able to sue: 

Dog Owners and Handlers

Most dog bite lawsuits are focused on the person who owns or has immediate control over the dog. This is particularly true if they know the dog is aggressive or has a history of biting.

Property Owners Allowing Dangerous Dogs on Premises

Liability can also fall on property owners (such as homeowners) who knowingly let a dangerous dog stay on the premises. Owners with this kind of knowledge may be responsible for keeping the space reasonably safe for guests and the public. 

Landlords or Property Managers in Certain Situations

In some cases, a landlord could be partly responsible for a dog bite. This can occur if one of their tenants has a dangerous dog on the property and the landlord knew about it but did nothing. 

This is especially true if the landlord had the ability to restrict ownership and control what happens on the property.

Third Parties Who Provoked or Controlled the Dog

If another person was responsible for the dog at the time of the bite, they could face liability. This might include a dog walker or sitter. Also, if the victim provoked the dog and that caused the attack, this can reduce compensation the victim is able to receive.

Manufacturers of Defective Leashes, Fencing, or Restraints

If a dog bite happens because a collar, leash, or even a gate fails, the product’s manufacturer could potentially face liability. Defective items leading to restraint failures allow even the calmest dog to suddenly pose a threat. This could open the door to product liability claims.

In a Nevada dog bite case, financial compensation can include both economic and noneconomic damages. The final amount depends on how badly you were hurt. It also depends on the long-term effects the injury has on your health and daily life. Here’s what you may receive: 

Medical Expenses and Ongoing Treatment Costs

You may recover the cost of emergency room care, stitches, surgeries, infection treatment, and rabies shots. This can also cover future needs like plastic surgery or physical rehabilitation if the injuries are severe.

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

Compensation can include pay missed while healing from injuries and an ongoing loss if you’re unable to fully return to work.

Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Trauma

It’s not uncommon for a victim to suffer from physical pain and emotional trauma after a dog bite. Compensation can account for things like anxiety and PTSD. This may occur in cases involving children who are now afraid of dogs. Any long-term impact and changes in how a person is able to live their life can be considered.

Scarring, Disfigurement, and Long-Term Effects

A victim may also be able to get money for any permanent scars or facial disfigurement they experience. This is because these injuries have a significant impact on a person’s day-to-day life. Also, nerve damage isn’t uncommon, and can cause serious difficulties in a person’s life. This can be compensated for as well.

Punitive Damages in Cases of Reckless Conduct

When dog bites result from extreme carelessness, such as an owner knowingly keeping a highly dangerous dog, additional punitive damages may apply. These are meant to hold people accountable for reckless behavior and act as a warning to others.

If you are bitten by a dog, what you do next can make a big difference for your health and any legal claim you may need to make. It’s important to act quickly and carefully to protect yourself. 

1. Get to Safety: The most important thing you can do is get away from the dog and make sure you’re in a safe place. 
2. Wash the Wound: Wash off the wound with unscented soap and warm water. It’s important to make sure you clean it right away. 
3. See a Doctor Right Away: See a doctor as soon as possible. Dog bites can lead to serious injuries and infections. This is important even if you don’t think the bite is that bad. 
4. Find Out Who Owns the Dog: Get information on who owns the dog and obtain their contact information. Ask them for vaccination records, especially for rabies. 
5. Report the Bite: Report the bite to animal control.
6. Document Your Injuries: Keep track of your injuries and treatment. Take photos and keep all medical records. 
7. Don’t Settle on the Spot: If the owner tells you they will pay for your medical expenses and asks if you can just handle it right then and there, don’t do this. You want to speak with a lawyer first or you could be giving up your right to potential compensation.

Taking these simple steps protects your health and keeps a strong record of the incident, which may help if you decide to seek compensation later. 

Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries. Some wounds are visible right away, while others can develop over time. Common ones include: 

• Puncture wounds 
• Deep lacerations 
• Infections, like staph or other bacteria from the bite
• Possible rabies exposure
• Nerve damage 
• Broken bones or even amputations, especially if the bite was to the hands or arms
• Major tissue damage that might require stitches or surgery
• Severe scarring, disfigurement, or need for future plastic surgery
• Trauma and emotional struggles, such as anxiety and nightmares
• A lasting fear of animals

These injuries can impact your health and your daily life in serious ways. Seeking prompt medical and emotional support can make a difference in your recovery.

Nevada does not have one single dog bite statute. Instead, it relies on negligence and common law principles. One important factor is to prove that the owner had knowledge that the dog had been dangerous in the past or might be dangerous in the future. Some local Clark County ordinances that are important to know include the following:

One Bite Rule, Prior Knowledge, and Negligence in Dog Bite Cases

There is usually no automatic liability for dog bites in Nevada. Instead, the situation depends on whether the owner knew, or should have known that the dog was dangerous. This could mean that the owner knew of previous aggression from the dog, previous bites, or that people had complained about the dog’s behavior in the past.

Additionally, an owner could still be liable, even if there were no previous bites if they let the dog run loose and failed to use reasonable care when taking care of the animal.

Leash Laws and Control Requirements

Dog owners are required to keep their animal restrained and not “at large”. This means dogs can’t just run freely when they’re not on the owner’s property; a leash, fence or other control method must be used. If the dog bites or attacks someone because they were unrestrained, this can be used as evidence of negligence.

Owner Responsibility for Dog Attacks

A dog owner is often the person liable for the attack. This is the case if the person the dog bites did not provoke the animal and if the owner fails to exercise reasonable care while controlling the dog. 

The main thing with liability is that the owner failed to use reasonable care when taking care of the animal. Exceptions occur when the dog was provoked into the attack by the victim.

Dangerous and Vicious Dog Designations

Under Nevada Law – Clark County Code 10.16.010 – a dog can be declared “dangerous” in some cases. This usually happens if the dog has shown aggressive behaviors, like chasing people or biting someone but only causing a minor injury. 

The dog can also be declared “vicious.” This usually applies when the dog actually causes severe injury or death. 

Once a dog is given one of these labels, the owner must follow stricter rules and guidelines. If a dangerous or vicious dog attacks again, it may be easier to show the owner should be held liable.

Unlawful Possession of Dangerous or Vicious Dogs

Clark County Code 10.16.020 makes it illegal to have a dangerous or vicious dog (as officially declared) unless very specific rules are met. If an owner keeps one in violation of these requirements and that dog later bites or injures someone, the case for owner liability is stronger. 

Legal Definition of a Dog Bite

Clark County Code 10.04.120 defines a “bite” as any tear or puncture in the skin that comes from an animal’s teeth. For legal cases, this means small scratches or nips may not count unless the skin was truly broken.

Understanding dog bite laws in the state and county will make the process easier for you. It should give you some understanding of what you have to prove to pursue your case.

Many people assume that dog bite claims are straightforward. However, this isn’t always the case. Here are a few reasons they can be complicated: 

Proving Owner Knowledge or Negligence

In most cases, you have to prove that the dog owner had knowledge of a dog’s previous bite history or that the owner was negligent. If other people complained about the dog’s behavior in the past, this could be evidence of knowledge and negligence as well. 

Insurance Coverage and Homeowners Policies

A lot of dog bite cases are handled by a homeowner’s insurance policy. While this can make the process simple, it doesn’t always work out as you would hope. Some policies have specific exclusions about a particular breed or when the dog had a bite history. 

This can complicate the claim and your ability to recover money through an insurance claim.

Disputes Over Provocation or Fault

If there is any argument that the victim provoked the dog into biting them, this can make the case significantly harder.

In Nevada, if you’re found partly at fault, your recovery could be reduced, so these arguments can be important in deciding how much you receive.

Dog bites often happen in situations involving stress or confusion. Public health research points to several common triggers that may lead to a dog biting someone.

Disturbing a Dog While Eating, Sleeping or Caring for Puppies

According to the CDC, interrupting a dog during feeding or rest can lead to a reaction. The same applies when it’s near its puppies. It may interpret the situation as a threat and bite.

Continuing to Pet a Dog That Wants Space

A dog that looks scared, sick, or upset may be signaling discomfort. Ignoring those signs and continuing to pet a dog can increase the risk of a bite.

Rough or Aggressive Play

According to HealthyChildren.org, rough play can raise a dog’s energy level. Games like wrestling or tug-of-war can lead to bites.

Approaching an Unfamiliar Dog

Approaching a dog you don’t know can be risky. Even a calm dog may react in a negative way if it feels uneasy.

Lack of Supervision

Children and dogs should be supervised when they are together. Without it, the risk of a bite increases.

Protecting Resources

Research suggests dogs may defend food, toys, or space. This kind of behavior can lead to sudden aggression.

Fear or Illness

A dog that is frightened or sick may react more quickly. Excitement can also increase risk. These situations can lead to a dog biting someone.

Running or Loud Reactions

Running or making loud noises can trigger a dog’s response. This may increase the chance of a bite happening.

If you’re considering filing a lawsuit after a dog bite injury in Nevada, it’s helpful to understand the laws that may apply. Below are some of the most important ones.

Disclaimer: These law summaries are not exhaustive and are provided for general understanding only. They reflect Nevada law at the time of writing and may be subject to updates or changes. For legal advice or a full interpretation, consult an attorney. Always check with an attorney or the Nevada Legislature for the most current information.

Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Law

NRS 41.141 – Generally allows a plaintiff to recover damages if their comparative negligence is not greater than the negligence of the defendant or combined defendants, with recovery reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault and each defendant generally liable only for their share.

Example: Let’s say you suffered injuries in a dog bite incident and later sue, but evidence shows you were 30% at fault for ignoring warnings not to approach the dog, while the owner was 70% at fault for failing to properly restrain the animal. If the total damages are $100,000, for example, you may still recover compensation, but it would be reduced by 30%, resulting in a $70,000 recovery.

Nevada’s Statute of Limitations Law

NRS 11.190 – Requires that an action to recover damages for injuries to a person or for death caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another be commenced within 2 years.

Other Related Nevada Laws

NRS 41.130 – Provides that a person who causes personal injury through wrongful act, neglect, or default is liable for damages, including liability that in some cases may extend to an employer responsible for that person’s conduct.

NRS 41.085 – Authorizes heirs and personal representatives to bring an action for damages when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another, including claims against responsible parties and recovery of specified damages.

NRS 202.500 – Prohibits a person from knowingly owning or keeping a vicious dog after receiving notice and imposes criminal penalties if the dog causes substantial bodily harm.

NRS 441A.410 – Requires the Board to adopt regulations for rabies control, including vaccination of animals, impoundment of suspected animals, and procedures for treating persons exposed to rabies.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you don’t have to handle the stress and confusion on your own. A local Las Vegas dog bite lawyer knows how to gather the right evidence, pursue negligence claims, and deal with insurance companies. By having an experienced attorney on your side, you can focus on your healing while they protect your rights and pursue compensation that may be available. Reach out to schedule a free consultation.

Come see us, we are located at:
7785 W Sahara Ave Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117