Dogs provide emotional support, loyal companionship, and unconditional love. Still, they are animals and can be unpredictable. Unfortunately, some dog owners condition their animals to fight, attack even when unprovoked, or abuse them, causing them to act aggressively toward others.
Nevada allows dog-bite victims, under some conditions, to hold dog owners accountable for injuries inflicted by their pets. If you have sustained a dog bite, connect with a Laughlin personal injury lawyer for experienced and effective legal representation from a Laughlin dog bite lawyer. H&P Law provides personalized, client-focused advocacy and will design a legal strategy to meet the specifics of your case.
An Overview of Nevada’s Dog Bite Laws
Some states follow strict liability for dog bites, putting responsibility on owners for any bite or attack their dog inflicts–even a first offense. Nevada follows the one-bite rule. This means dog owners do not face automatic liability upon a dog’s first offense–though they still face the potential for liability, depending on whether the dog is “dangerous” or “vicious” or under other particular circumstances.
Dangerous and Vicious Dogs
If dogs are classified as “dangerous” or “vicious,” the owner may be liable for a first bite. A dog is “dangerous” under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) §202.500 if the dog was unprovoked but behaved in a threatening way on two separate occasions within an 18-month timeframe and under particular circumstances. A “vicious” dog is one that, without provocation, kills or inflicts bodily harm on someone else.
A dog may also be deemed vicious if it continues with threatening behavior after being declared dangerous by a law enforcement agency. It is illegal to own a vicious dog in Nevada. Though it is not unlawful to own a dangerous dog, owners must abide by state and local laws governing dangerous dog ownership.
Other Times Owners Are Liable for a First Bite
If a dog owner acts negligently, and this negligence allows the dog to bite a victim, the one-bite rule may not protect the dog owner from liability. Negligence occurs when a dog owner fails to take reasonable steps to prevent a dog bite. For example, an owner may:
- Allow children to be near their new pets unsupervised. The owner does not yet know the dog enough to ensure the child’s safety.
- Ignore warning signs. Dogs show signs of potential attack by bearing their teeth, growling, or displaying other agitated behaviors.
The Clark County’s FAQ page establishes local rules for dog restraints. Dogs must be kept on leashes when off-property and penned within the property boundaries when on the owner’s property. If an unleashed or unrestrained dog bites someone, the owner may be liable.
Securing Dog Bite Damages
To secure damages for a dog bite, connect with a Laughlin dog bite attorney as soon as you can after the incident. Your attorney will investigate the situation to gather evidence. With prompt access to your case, your attorney will be able to file your claim within Nevada’s two-year statute of limitations as established in NRS §11.190.
Serious Injuries Demand Serious Damages
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are hundreds of thousands of dog bites across the nation annually. While a range of personal injuries associated with dog bites include nerve damage, bone breaks, lacerations, disfiguring scars, and psychological trauma, it can also lead to dangerous infections, including sepsis, which can be fatal. A dog bite Lawyer in Laughlin will fight to get you financial justice for these losses.
The face is a common area affected by dog bites. Research recorded in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports that facial bites result in substantial trauma, affecting victims emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Children are most often the victims of bites to the face and require extensive treatment and reconstructive procedures.
A Skilled Lawyer Can Help You Collect Damages
A dog bite attorney in Laughlin will manage the details and legalities of your case so you can focus on your recovery. Along with gathering evidence and filing your claim, your attorney will calculate your total losses and determine how much your personal injury case is worth. Your medical costs and future needs, wages lost during recovery time–and permanent wage loss if your injuries cause permanent disability–the value of your physical and emotional pain, losses to your quality of life, and all other relevant details will factor into your settlement demand.
The at-fault party’s representatives will likely try to put the blame on you for the dog bite. Under NRS 41.141, victims can only seek damages if they are 50% or less responsible for the occurrence. The at-fault party may try to argue that you provoked the dog or otherwise contributed to your injury in an effort to reduce their payout.
Your dog bite attorney in Laughlin will fight back against unwarranted accusations. And, knowing the true value of your case, will not be coerced into accepting offers far lower than your injuries and suffering demand. H&P Law keeps your best interests at the forefront of every negotiation session.
When Cases Go to Trial
Personal injury cases most often settle without ever seeing the inside of a courtroom. Your Laughlin dog bite attorney negotiates with the at-fault party’s representatives until both sides agree on a fair settlement. Unfortunately, there are a variety of ways insurance companies try to reduce personal injury payments– purposely slowing down the process or setting up roadblocks to delay paying you damages.
Though this scenario is frustrating, it does not end the fight for justice. The team at H&P Law comprises effective, fierce trial lawyers primed and ready to advocate for you in court. Whatever path your case takes, our firm has the situation well in hand.
Ready to Lead Your Journey Toward Justice
As a dog bite victim, you deserve justice, and a skilled Laughlin dog bite lawyer is ready to lead your journey to secure that justice. H&P Law will help you hold negligent dog owners accountable, demanding fair compensation for your losses. Whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom, our team is ready to fight for your rights and financial recovery. We look forward to serving you and helping you move toward a brighter future.
