Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorneys Are Here To Help

While dogs have earned their reputation as man’s best friend, virtually all dogs have the potential to be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken by their owners. Indeed, dog bite injuries are far more common than most people realize. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that nearly 4.6 million dog bites occur in the United States on an annual basis. A dog attack can cause serious damage to you, both physically and mentally. When you are attacked by a dog, you may be bitten severely enough to have to go to the doctor’s office or even to the hospital.

At Ladah Law, PLLC, we are experienced Las Vegas dog bite injury attorneys. We know how to help you through the legal claims process. If you are a victim of a dog bite attack, you should not have to worry about paying for doctor’s visits, your pain medication, or anything else related to your injuries. It is the negligent dog owner who should do that, and possibly, compensate you for your suffering and mental anguish.

Unfortunately, recovering full and fair compensation for a dog bite can be extremely challenging. While the dog-owner’s homeowners insurance typically covers dog bites, they will usually attempt to fight the claim. You should be prepared to face an insurance company that will work aggressively to try to limit the value of your settlement offer. The good news is that our Las Vegas dog bite attorneys can help you fight back. If you or your child was injured by in a dog attack, please contact our office today for immediate assistance with your case.

Were You Bit By a Dog? Here is What You Should Do Next

1. Seek Professional Medical Assistance

All dog bite injuries require medical attention. Certainly, if you or your child has a severe injury, an immediate trip to the emergency room is a must. Though, any dog bite that breaks the skin should be examined. Nearly one in every five dog bites results in an infection. Left untreated, minor and moderate infections can turn into extremely serious medical conditions.

2. Secure the Evidence and Document the Dog Bite Attack

To the best of your ability, you should try to be proactive and document the attack. This means taking pictures of your injuries, obtaining copies of your medical records and finding out the dog owner’s name, address and insurance carrier. Ultimately, the more evidence that you have in your possession, the better off you will be when it comes to making a personal injury claim.

3. Speak to a Qualified Las Vegas Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Finally, it is important to get in touch with our dog bite lawyers as quickly as possible after an attack. We can help you settle with the insurance company for a fair settlement. If your injuries are serious, merely negotiating the settlement you need and deserve may not be enough. In such cases, we can file a lawsuit to encourage them to take your claim seriously.

Understanding Dog Bite Liability Under Nevada Law

Unlike many states, Nevada does not have a specific dog bite statute on the books. Instead, Nevada dog bite victim must seek compensation under the state’s common law. Under Nevada common law, dog bite injury victims can hold dog owners liable under the legal theory of negligence. This was clearly established in the 1995 Nevada Supreme Court case of Harry v. Smith. In effect, the common law means that Nevada requires dog owners must take reasonable safety precautions to protect the general public from any dangers posed by their animal. As a general rule, it is the property owner’s responsibility (premises liability) to ensure that their home or business is safe for invited guests. If a dog bites you on public property or while you are lawfully on personal property, the dog owner can be held accountable by law.

We Can Help You Recover the Full Compensation You Deserve

At Ladah Law, we know that your compensation isn’t just a big check. Your damages include physical injuries, medical bills, and emotional trauma, perhaps even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When we take on your claim, we will help you document your real losses not just the physical injury. To get the full settlement offer you are owed, you will need to present properly documented damages to the insurance company. It is also worth noting that additional compensation may be available if the victim of the dog bite attack is a child. Children often receive bites on their face and neck leaving vicious scars and other lasting injuries. Your compensation may need to include reconstructive surgery and ongoing therapy.

Contact Our Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorneys Today

At Ladah Law Firm, our Las Vegas premises liability lawyers have extensive experience handling all types of dog bite injury cases. If you or a family member was injured by a dog, we will help you maximize your compensation. Please do not settle your dog-bite claim until you give us a call.

We offer free, fully confidential case evaluations to all dog bite victims. From our office in Las Vegas, our law firm serves clients throughout Clark County, including in Henderson, Arden, Mesquite and Boulder City.

Commonly Asked Questions About Las Vegas Dog Bites

What are signs my dog bite is infected?

You should closely watch your wounds in the days following the attack. Any dog bite wound will be red. However, you should look for red streaks leading away from the wound. Also check to make sure that there isn’t any puss draining from the wound, which is also a sign of an infection. When in doubt, go to a doctor.

What is the average dog bite settlement?

When you are bitten on someone else’s property, their homeowner’s insurance policy usually covers the attack. The Insurance Information Institute has calculated the average dog bite settlement paid out by insurers. In 2018, the average amount was $39,017. Of course, this is the average. You might receive more or less.

Can I Sue if I was trespassing?

This is a common scenario. You might have been crossing someone’s property without permission when a dog latched onto your ankle while trying to get over a fence. You might think you can sue, especially if the owner did not warn you that they had a dog on the premises. However, it is much harder to receive compensation when you are on property without permission. You should speak to an attorney about the specifics of your case.

I was provoking the dog before it bit me. Does that matter?

Yes. In this situation, you are at least partially to blame for the dog bite. Nevada has a comparative negligence law that states a person can receive compensation so long as they are not more at fault than the people they are suing. But their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. So someone who is 40% to blame for provoking an attack will receive 40% less than they normally would. If you were more than 50% to blame, then you might not receive anything for your injuries, regardless of how badly the dog bit you.

The dog didn’t bite me but knocked me over, causing injuries. Can I still sue?

Possibly. The law of negligence covers situations where a person owes a duty of care to another person, and this can include situations where a dog bum rushes a person and knocks them over. Some dogs are very large and can easily send an elderly person or another adult tumbling when it jumps up onto them. The same is true when a dog rushes up to a small child. We will analyze your case under the law of negligence to see if you have a valid claim. In a common situation, an unleashed dog knocks over a person in public. Many owners will be liable for the injuries given this set of facts.

The dog bit my dog; can I sue?

Possibly. Most dog bite claims involve a dog biting a person. However, a dog could also attack your own dog or another animal. Under Nevada law, animals (including pets) are considered chattels, and anything that damages or interferes with your chattels without permission is against the law. So you might be able to sue the owner of the dog that attacked your pets and receive compensation. Of course, the amount you can receive is probably limited to the value of your animal.