Nevada Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites and other attacks by animals are, unfortunately, common in Nevada. When we think of dog bites, we may associate them with minor injuries, but in fact, dog bites and other animal attacks can cause serious injury, including broken bones, loss of organs, amputations, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and more. The law in Nevada on dog bites and animal attacks is extremely complicated and often depends on the town or other jurisdiction where the dog bite took place. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite or other animal attack in Nevada, get in touch with the Nevada Dog Bite Attorneys at Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC.
At Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC, our experience enables us to help you maximize the compensation you receive from insurance companies, so you can get your life back on track. In the past, our clients have received compensation ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 for injuries and other harm stemming from dog bites and animal attacks. It’s important to note, though, that the compensation a client ultimately receives will depend on the nature of the injuries and the facts of the case.
Dog Bite Law in Nevada
Dog bites are a problem across the country, with roughly 4.5 million happening annually. Dog bites are all too common in Nevada as well; for instance, a child in Sparks recently required surgery to repair internal injuries stemming from dog bites.
Some states carry specific laws concerning dog bites on the books, but Nevada does not. Instead, dog bite law is governed by the general law of negligence and by Nevada case law.
General negligence statutes in Nevada center around the concept of duty of care. Dog owners owe a duty of care to the public, ensuring the public’s safety and freedom from attack. As a result, if you or a loved one suffered injuries from a dog bite or other animal attack, you need to show first that the animal’s owner breached his or her duty of care. This could include failing to restrain a dog on a leash or behind a fence, for example, particularly if the dog evinces a history of past biting or attacks.
Second, you will need to show that injuries and other harm suffered stemmed directly from the bite or attack, and not some other cause.
Damage Compensation for a Nevada Dog Bite
If you successfully establish negligence, then the negligent party is financially responsible for the injuries and other harm stemming from the dog bite or attack. This financial responsibility is known as legal liability.
In Nevada, you can seek damage compensation either from the negligent person’s insurance company or from a Nevada dog bite lawsuit.
In both cases, compensation may include:
- Medical costs, both current and future, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication, diagnostic tests, rehabilitative therapy, doctor’s office visits, rabies treatment, and more
- Wages lost from work if the bite causes the victim to lose time from work for treatment or recuperation
- Lifetime earnings if the injuries are disabling and render the victim unable to work in the future
- Personal property, including torn clothing, damaged bicycles, scooters, or skateboards, broken eyeglasses, damaged vehicles, and more
- Pain and suffering for physical pain as well as emotional and mental trauma
What to Do After Suffering a Dog Bite in Nevada
Dog bites can result in pain, shock, and trauma. Whether you or a loved one is the victim, treating the physical effects of any injury should come first. Everyone involved should help ensure the health and safety of the victim(s).
However, you must present evidence to support your negligence claim. So put your health and safety first, but make gathering evidence your second priority, if at all possible.
Health and Safety
Move away from the dog after the bite or attack. Don’t run; dogs often chase runners. Move slowly, deliberately, and calmly.
If the dog bite results in traumatic injury, such as loss of blood and significant mauling, call 911 immediately. The victims of such attacks need medical attention immediately.
If the wounds are less severe, wash them with soap and water to prevent infection. Then, see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
Do not rely on your visual inspection to conclude that your wounds aren’t serious. Dog bites and other attacks can cause rabies and serious infection that require medical treatment, and the potential danger doesn’t end there.
If victims are knocked down, they may suffer TBIs or broken ribs that can puncture their lungs, especially if the victims are children or elderly individuals—two of the groups most at risk for dog bites. Those are just several examples; the bottom line is that dog bites are dangerous. Don’t leave treatment to chance.
Only a doctor can examine the victim, diagnose any medical issues, and recommend treatment. Follow any doctor recommendations for treatment to the letter, including medication. If possible, get in touch with the dog’s owner to ask about the dog’s health status, including vaccinations.
Some jurisdictions require that you report a dog bite that occurred within that jurisdiction to either animal control, the sheriff’s office, or another authority. In Henderson, for example, you must report it to Henderson Animal Care and Control. After you’ve ensured your health and safety, check the regulations for your jurisdiction. Reporting a potentially dangerous dog and potentially negligent owner is an important part of securing safety for your neighbors.
Keep all records relating to your medical treatment, as they will constitute important evidence should you decide to pursue damage compensation.
Gathering Evidence
Evidence can stem from several sources. First, use your smartphone camera, if appropriate, to take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries. Do not provoke the dog with the camera or stay in the area if the dog is acting in a threatening manner.
Remember, pictures of your injuries are worth a thousand words, but you can take them once you’re away from the scene.
If there are eyewitnesses to the attack, get their contact information (names and email addresses).
If you know the dog’s owner or address, make a note of it. If you need to report the bite to authorities, keep a copy of the report.
If you don’t know the dog’s owner or address, take a picture of the dog (from a distance, if necessary), so authorities can identify the owners at a later time.
Work With Our Nevada Dog Bite Attorneys
If you or a loved one is attacked or bitten by a dog, contact Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC, for help at (702) 382-9797. We work all over Nevada to obtain just compensation for our clients. Our first consultation is always free, so reach out today.
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“Wonderful experience. Lina and Ashley were always so helpful and kept me up to date with every process. They gave me the confidence I needed regarding my case and I felt they were very understanding. They were able to cut down the cost of my medical bill and put more money in my pocket. Very professional and I highly recommend!…” -Jazlyn L.
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