If a dog attacks and bites you in Las Vegas, NV, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting. From medical expenses to emotional trauma, a dog bite can impact your life in many ways. A Las Vegas dog bite lawyer helps you pursue justice and holds the negligent dog owner accountable for your injuries.
At H&P Law, we have more than 60 combined years of experience ready to work for you. When you hire a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer from our team, we’ll guide you through the legal process and help you seek full compensation. Contact our team today to get started.
The Consequences of Dog Bite Accidents
Suffering a dog bite is a life-changing experience, one that could impact every facet of your life in numerous ways. It is critical to think about the true consequences of dog bites and how that incident could impact your life for years to come. Consider the following types of serious injuries and losses that can occur when a dog bites a person:
- Head trauma: It is very common for victims to fall to the ground and strike their head. This can cause serious head trauma, leading to a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
- Open wounds: Bites create deep tissue wounds, often those resulting in nerve and muscle damage, leading to the risk of chronic pain and loss of mobility in serious cases.
- Amputations: In some situations, the damage to fingers, feet, and other areas is so significant that it leads to the need to amputate, creating long-term implications for health and the ability to live life the way you thought you would.
- Neck and back injuries: If a dog bites and shakes its victim, it can also lead to serious spinal cord injuries, often creating ongoing severe injury, loss of mobility if there are spinal cord injuries, and chronic pain.
- Emotional trauma: Do not overlook the impact of dog bites on emotional health and well-being. This could change your outlook on dogs and having pets, but it also creates the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and severe anxiety.
- Disfigurement: For many people, the risk of disfigurement due to wounds and scarring is a very real factor to consider, impacting self-confidence.
We can investigate all the consequences you are facing after such an incident and how they will impact your future. They could play a role in your ability to hold a job, pursue your goals, and live without fear. For those reasons, you deserve full and fair recovery of your damages. Be sure you understand premises liability in dog bite cases.
When to Hire a Las Vegas Dog Bite Accident Lawyer
There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Nevada under NRS: Chapter 11. This means you have up to two years from the date a dog bites and injures you to sue the pet’s owner. If you choose not to submit a claim during this window, you cannot ask for damages at a later time.
It is in your best interests to meet up with an attorney as soon as you can after your animal attack. Your lawyer can discuss dog bite complications to watch out for and similar topics. If you have a valid claim, your attorney can help you file your request for compensation.
Do not expect an immediate resolution to your pet bite case. Getting money from a negligent pet owner can take weeks or months. Regardless, your attorney is accessible, and they will do everything they can to help you get a fair amount of compensation. Read our frequently asked questions to learn more.
Why Dog Bites Happen in Las Vegas
Did you ever wonder how many dogs are in the US? There are approximately 90 million dogs in the United States, according to the World Animal Foundation (WAF). If you approach a dog, you probably do not expect the animal to bite you. However, dog bites are reported every day, and they can cause major problems for all involved.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes in its dog bite prevention release that more than 4.5 million people in the United States suffer dog bites in a given year. Dogs will bite if they are hungry, scared, or unsure about how to deal with a person or situation. If a dog bites someone, it is unlikely that the animal will have to be put down.
Each dog bite accident is treated as its own entity. In many instances, a negligent dog owner—and not the animal itself—is held responsible for this type of accident. By hiring a Las Vegas dog bite attorney, you can seek damages from a neglectful pet owner.
How Premises Liability Applies to a Las Vegas Dog Bite Accident Case
Nevada does not have a specific dog bite statute in place. Instead, dog bite accident cases are built around premises liability. A dog bite attorney in Las Vegas can explain premises liability in dog bite cases and how it relates to your claim.
Dog owners are negligent when they breach their duty of care. They are expected to watch their pets and ensure that they do not harm others. Therefore, the owner can be held responsible if a dog bites someone.
At H&P Law, our legal team removes the guesswork from animal bite lawsuits. With help from our dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas, you can request compensation from a negligent pet owner. For more information, please get in touch with us.
Dog Owner Responsibilities Matter
Dog owners are legally responsible for controlling their animals and keeping them from harming others. If the dog owner fails to do so, whether they knew of the risk or not, they could be responsible for the outcome of that dog’s behavior. There are numerous steps a dog owner can take:
- Keep their dogs leashed when they are not at home and avoid taking them off their leashes while in public.
- Maintain a fence or other protective structure that prevents the dog from getting off the owner’s property.
- Ensure proper training and management of the dog’s personality and behaviors.
- Warn about the risks for those who approach the home. This may include a sign informing visitors of the dog’s presence and warning them not to enter.
- Prevent the dog from getting loose by adjusting security measures if they have done so in the past.
It is not always easy to control a dog, especially one that may be trying to protect its family or property. Yet, dog owners are responsible for doing just that, and when they fail, you may have the evidence you need to pursue full and fair compensation for your losses. At H&P Law, we can help you exercise those rights, as evidenced by our client testimonials.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
Knowing what steps to take after you suffer a dog bite may minimize your risk of prolonged and serious injuries and sustained losses. Our dog bite lawyers in Las Vegas will discuss your case and outline your legal options.
However, you would follow these steps in the ideal situation to get the care you need:
- Protect yourself and others by getting out of the way of the dog. If possible, call 911 for help at the location, especially if the dog is aggressive or on the loose.
- Tell the owner of the dog what happened. Provide a clear description and show evidence of what took place.
- Take photos of your injuries, the area where the incident occurred, and the dog itself if it is safe to do so. Do not put yourself in harm’s way to get more evidence. However, document anything you can as soon as possible.
- Go to the emergency room. Even if your injury seems like it will heal, going to the ER is a critical step in building your claim and documenting the injuries.
- Contact an attorney at this point. You must inform the insurance company responsible for the dog and follow up on medical care. However, do not put off contacting an attorney for immediate help.
With the guidance of a Las Vegas dog bite lawyer, you will have help in gathering evidence to support your claim, even if you did not do so at the time of the accident. You will also gain the hands-on support of an attorney to protect you from insurance company claims or tactics. Prioritize your health and well-being, and let our attorney fight for you.
Factors to Consider When Children Are Hurt by Dogs
Children are a big risk factor for dogs. They tend to be loud and constantly moving around. They may not be gentle when touching a pet simply because they do not know better than to act in the way they do. That means dogs can be a serious risk to children.
Children are also smaller and less likely to know how to defend themselves if a dog attacks them. This often leads to serious injuries that could be more severe than those suffered by adults.
Dog owners must maintain the safety of anyone on their property, including children. The damage and risks to children are often far more than what adults face. Do not settle this claim until you speak to a dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas to evaluate your claim and losses comprehensively. Be sure you know what dog bite complications to watch out for.
How Much Money Can You Secure in a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Las Vegas?
Your Las Vegas pet bite lawsuit may be worth thousands of dollars. How much money you receive depends on the severity of your injury and other factors. Your lawyer will urge you to pursue economic and non-economic compensation from the pet owner who caused your injury.
You can ask for economic compensation relating to your medical bills and other losses that you can quantify. Comparatively, you can seek non-economic compensation for psychological damage and other subjective harm. Your lawyer will encourage you to request as much money as you can.
Of course, even if you submit a claim for compensation, you are still responsible for showing that a pet owner was negligent, which led to your injury. You and your lawyer will work together to develop a compelling argument. If you succeed, you can present an argument that convinces a judge or jury to award you the damages you want.
What to Do If You Get a Dog Bite Accident Settlement Offer
If you have a strong case, the defendant may be concerned that they must pay a large settlement. This can lead the defendant to offer a settlement that is less than what you originally requested in damages. If you accept this proposal, you can resolve your case without a trial, but you will only receive a portion of the compensation you initially requested.
Those who receive a settlement offer should consult with their attorney. Then, you and your lawyer can discuss the proposal and all that it entails. If you and your lawyer find that the offer is well short of what you deserve, you can reject the proposal.
The defendant may offer multiple settlement offers throughout the litigation. You and your attorney can review each one, weigh its pros and cons, and decide on it. By evaluating each settlement offer that comes your way, you can determine if it gives you adequate compensation based on the losses you have suffered.
What to Look for in a Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyer
Choose an attorney who has experience with pet bite accident cases. Ideally, your lawyer can give you insights into personal injuries associated with dog bites and other legal topics. They can help you make informed decisions at each stage of your litigation.
H&P Law makes partnering with a Las Vegas dog bite attorney simple. To get started, contact our team today.
