Dog bites cause serious injuries, no matter the type of dog or the reason for the action. If you were hurt as a result of a dog’s attack, and you are suffering physical, emotional, and financial loss, you deserve an experienced Las Vegas dog bite lawyer to remain by your side.
At Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, our decades of experience make it possible for us to provide exceptional legal guidance to you in these difficult cases. Schedule a free consultation now with our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers.
The Importance of Hiring a Dog Bite Attorney in Las Vegas
Victims of dog bites often face a long road ahead of them, facing a serious risk of injury, complications, and financial recovery. Hiring a dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas becomes a critical step in the process. Our legal team can help you in numerous ways:
- Prove who is at fault. The owner is not always the only party responsible, and in some cases, they may not be held liable at all.
- Document the extent of your injuries and all losses you have. We build an evidence-backed case to protect your rights.
- We do not let the insurance companies try to blame you. They will do so, but with our experience, we will minimize their ability to accuse you of such actions.
Our lawyer understands how traumatizing this type of accident can be and how important it is for you to recover damages. We also understand that you deserve fair treatment under the law, and you can expect us to provide you with all the necessary tools to protect your legal rights.
Dog Bite Statistics
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 an animal attacks them or their loved ones. If someone else’s pet has attacked you, a lawyer could help you seek financial compensation for your personal injuries and recover damages for:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain & Suffering
- Wrongful Death
A dog bite lawyer can handle dog bite cases, including working with insurance companies to reach a settlement for your dog bite case. Our Las Vegas dog bite lawyer will analyze what happened in your case, identify all parties responsible for your losses, and then build a strong claim backed by evidence.
We fight for fair compensation or will go to court to advocate on your behalf. Call Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
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.
It is crucial that all dog owners and victims of dog bites understand Nevada’s dog attack laws. Nevada follows a one-bite rule. That means the owner may be found negligent if the dog has bitten someone in the past or otherwise demonstrates evidence of being a dangerous dog. If the dog has never shown aggression before, you may struggle to recover damages.
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Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries range from minor to serious. Our Las Vegas catastrophic injury lawyer has seen some devastating injuries. 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 pet 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 and Statistics
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.
Data shared by the American Veterinary Medical Association indicate that approximately 334,000 people are admitted to the emergency department each year nationwide due to a dog bite-associated injury. About 466,000 others are seen in other medical settings. About half of all children bitten by a dog are 12 years of age or younger, while those over the age of 70 account for about 10% of those bitten.
The cost to treat such injuries ranges widely from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity, treatment, and medical attention needed to achieve a full recovery.
Pet bites can be more damaging than you would think. When a dog bites you, it can easily puncture your skin and muscle tissues with its mouthful of sharp teeth. In some cases, bones can be fractured or broken by the powerful jaw pressure from an animal attack.
Dog Bites, Animal Bites, and Medical Treatment
If an animal has bitten you, then it is important that you get medical attention as quickly as possible. You can take steps immediately to protect yourself after an accident. To do so, follow these steps:
- Stop the bleeding and clean the wound to reduce infection risk.
- Avoiding movement of the affected body part, if possible, in order to minimize any further damage to the injured area.
- Keep the injured part elevated to reduce swelling and pain.
- Applying ice or a cold compress to the wound, if available, in order to help with inflammation, limit blood flow from the injury, and numb any potential nerve endings.
If you are in harm’s way during this process, focus first on your well-being. That may mean leaving the scene, hiding, or calling the police for immediate help. Avoid doing anything that would encourage the dog to bite or attack you further. Review our resources to learn more today.
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. We encourage you to document your injuries only if it is safe to do so. In most situations where a serious bite occurs, your priority must be getting immediate medical care to prevent the incident from worsening.
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 the skull from harm.
How a Local Attorney Can Help
If you have been bitten by a dangerous dog as defined by Nevada law. 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. After a dog bite, take the following steps:
- Immediately seek safety, call 911 if you have serious injuries or the dog is on the loose, and then get to the hospital for care.
- If safe to do so, take photos of the dog, the incident area, and your wounds.
- Inform the dog’s owner of what occurred. Get their name and contact information.
- After getting medical care, seek out treatment from follow–up providers as directed. Always keep your appointments.
- Contact an attorney at that time. Do not wait to get the legal guidance you need.
The sooner you contact our Las Vegas dog bite attorney, the faster we can work with you to seek fair compensation. Most importantly, our team is there to handle the insurance company and fight on your behalf if you are blamed for causing the accident. We do not want you to be held accountable in any way.
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.
By taking action right now and calling our team, we will seek to preserve your rights to fair treatment under the law. Learn more about us today.
Punitive Damages in Dog Bites
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 is known as the “one bite rule” and states that a dog owner will be liable if it is proven that they knew their animal was dangerous or likely to bite. A Las Vegas premises liability lawyer can help.
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. This might be by demonstrating that the owner knew or should have known about the risks or that the owner encouraged the attack in some way.
The liability of a dog owner is not always clear. However, our dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas will gather evidence from all possible resources to document what happened and what the owner could have done to minimize risks.
We take pride in fighting for you to receive fair compensation for these losses, and to do that, we need to demonstrate liability.
Contact a Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorney Today
At Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, 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 a dog bite from a dangerous dog.
If an aggressive dog has bitten you or you were 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.
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