The rate of dog attacks and pet bites is alarmingly high in the United States. In fact, there is a 1 in 5 chance that someone will be bitten by a dog at some point. Many people do not know what to do when they or their loved ones are attacked by an animal. If you have been attacked by someone else’s pet, a Las Vegas dog bite lawyer could help you seek financial compensation for your personal injuries and recover damages for:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain & Suffering
- Wrongful Death
Dog Bite Statistics
First, Pit Bull owners will swear up and down that their dog is kind, gentle, and that they get a bad rap. Pit Bulls actually account for the highest amount of fatal attacks in the United States. Just in 2019, they accounted for 63% of all fatal dog attacks.
- Pit Bull 63%
- Mixed Breed 13%
- Rottweiler 4%
- Boxer 4%
- Australian Cattle Dog 4%
- German Shepard 4%
Second, it is important to know that dogs can cause serious injuries. In fact, one out of four people bitten by a dog are left with scars for life. A dog bite case is very different from other forms of personal injury.
Whether you have been a dog bite victim or an animal attack victim due to someone else’s pet, injury victims should immediately seek medical attention and then start looking for experienced dog bite lawyers in Las Vegas.
A dog bite lawyer can handle dog bite cases, including working with insurance companies to reach a settlement for your dog bite case.
Dog and Animal Bite Severity Levels
Animal attacks can range on the injured victim from minor to substantial bodily harm and even lead to a wrongful death claim.
We have all seen a snippy dog or animal, but a dog’s behavior can change rapidly and can lead to severe injuries.
If the dog owner’s negligence caused a dog bite injury and it happened on the owner’s property, even with post-warning signs, or an animal leashed or off-leash, the property owner can be held liable.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries range from the minor to the very serious.
Common injuries from dog bites include:
- Bruises and scratches
- Broken Bones
- Nips, cuts, punctures and tears in tissues; wounds to muscles or bone (even loss of an eye)
- Permanent scarring on the face or body
- Infections that can lead to death if untreated and even rabies – a rabies treatment can cost up to $30,000
Injuries can be prevented by following these simple steps:
- Wear gloves when gardening or cleaning up after a dog. This will prevent you from being bitten if the dog is not familiar with your presence and, therefore, more likely to bite
- Do not offer any food (especially sweets) that may distract the dog and cause it to become aggressive
- Do not approach or pat a dog who is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. If you are approached by an unfamiliar dog that does not appear friendly and wants to sniff you, go into your house. If the aggressiveness continues, the homeowner should contact animal control immediately.
- Common Bites in Pets Dogs can be extremely protective of their property, and when you invade that territory by walking onto the lawn, they may feel threatened or challenged. This is especially true for pets who are provoked into barking excessively or chasing after people to attack them if they get too close to an outdoor bone pile. In this situation, a dog may be especially likely to bite.
- In a study conducted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found that more than 800 children were hospitalized due to an animal attack from 2006-2010, which is nearly one child per day across the country. The majority of these attacks happened because they came in contact with either their own pet or a neighbor’s pet.
- The CDC study found that the majority of these attacks occurred while children were playing with their pets in its yard.
- The cost to treat such injuries ranges anywhere from $500 up to $30,000 depending on the severity, treatment, and medical attention needed to make a full recovery.
- Pet Bite Injuries Pet bites can be more damaging than you would think. When a dog bites you, he can easily puncture your skin and muscle tissues with his mouthful of sharp teeth. In some cases, bones can be fractured or broken by the powerful jaw pressure from an animal attack.
What If You Have Been Bitten?
If you have been bitten by a dangerous dog as defined by Nevada law N. R. S. 202.500, then you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical bills and lost wages because the attack was not your fault.
If someone else’s dog has bitten you, then you need a qualified dog bite injury attorney who understands Nevada law and how it pertains to dog bite liability and the dog’s owner.
Dog owners are subject to punitive damages to dog bite victims if the owner actually showed malice in which the dog owner’s behavior was willful and wanton or with such recklessness or if the dog owner’s negligence showed a conscious disregard for the rights of others.
The Liability of a Dog Owner in Nevada
When it comes to owning a dog, there are many things you have to be aware of. Even if your dog has never bitten anyone, it might bite a person in the future and cause serious injury or even death.
Nevada Law on Dog Bites – Dog Bite Statute
Nevada law is known as the “one bite rule” and states that a dog owner will be liable if it is proven they knew their animal was dangerous or likely to bite.
However, there are exceptions in Nevada law where an owner can potentially escape liability for the behavior of his or her pet. Under these circumstances, the person who has been bitten must prove negligence on behalf of the other party.
Dog Bites, Animal Bites, and Medical Treatment
If you have been bitten by an animal, then it is important that you get medical attention as quickly as possible.
What You Should Do After a Dog Bite Incident or Animal Bite Accident?
- Stop the bleeding and clean the wound to reduce infection risk
- Avoiding movement of affected body part if possible in order to minimize any more damage to the injured area
- Keep the injured part elevated to reduce swelling and pain
- Applying ice or cold compress on wound, if available, in order to help with inflammation, limit blood flow from the injury, and numb any potential nerve endings
What to Do If a Dog Bites You
- Get medical attention as quickly as possible. This is especially important due to the risk of infection from animal saliva and other bodily fluids which may be present in the bite wound.
- If there are open wounds, file a police report and go to the hospital.
- Injuries can be very serious and may include fractures, nerve damage, or even death in some extreme cases. Any pet owner will know that a dog bite to the face has more potential for serious injury than a similar bite on other parts of the body because there is no muscle protecting important areas of your skull from harm.
How a Local Attorney Can Help
If you have been bitten by a dog, then you will need to search for a dog bite lawyer near you. Our Las Vegas dog bite lawyers and animal bite attorneys can help you.
A dog bite attorney can help you get compensation for your injuries. Take advantage of the attorney-client relationship and get a free consultation.
It is your best bet to recover compensation by hiring an experienced dog bite attorney.
Statute of Limitations on Dog Bites in Nevada
The Statute of Limitations on Dog Bites or Animal Bites in Nevada is two years. If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorney Today
At Shook & Stone, we are known for our sound legal advice, and we take dog bite injuries seriously.
Our aggressive personal injury legal team can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, loss of wages, and other losses due to the dog bite from a dangerous dog.
If you have been bitten by an aggressive dog or are the victim of a dog attack, you need an experienced Las Vegas dog bite lawyer who can guide you in your dog bite claim. Contact us for a free consultation.
