While it doesn’t happen as often as a car accident or slip and fall, we do have clients come into our TorkLaw office with a dog bite case. These cases are unique because it’s not technically another person who hurt you; it is an animal. This can make these cases challenging for Las Vegas dog bite lawyers. They need to show that the dog’s owner was liable, even though they can only control their animal to a certain extent.
The way the law sees it, a dog is an extension of its owner. The dog can’t be held legally responsible for your injuries. But their owner can. Every state is different when it comes to these cases. Some towns have very specific laws that spell out what dog owners are required to do. Other states are a bit vaguer when it comes to this sort of thing. Here, we’ll discuss what the Las Vegas laws are when it comes to dog bites and animal attacks. We’ll also talk about what you can do if you’re injured by an animal.
Regardless of what made the dog decide to bite you or your child, you’re going to want an experienced Las Vegas dog bite lawyer. We’ll fight to get you as much compensation as possible. We’ll also make sure your claim is handled properly from the start.
What is the Dog Bite Law in Las Vegas, Nevada?
Most states have laws that spell out the law when it comes to dog bites. Unfortunately, Nevada doesn’t have this kind of law. Las Vegas dog bite lawyers at TorkLaw have to prove this sort of case under what is called the common law. This means that you have to prove the dog’s owner was negligent in order to recover damages. In order to do this, your attorney will look to demonstrate some of the following things:
- The dog has bitten people in the past, and the owner still let the dog near strangers
- You were in a public place, and the dog wasn’t on the leash
- The dog’s owner sat back and did nothing when the attack took place
- the owner actually ordered the dog to bite you
The reason you can show negligence by proving the dog wasn’t on a leash is because of the law in Las Vegas. Pet owners are required to keep their animals on a leash if they’re in a public place. So if your attack takes place in a park or on the street, then this can help your case.
The court will also look to see what role you played in the incident. For example, they’ll look to see if you antagonized the animal. We’ll talk about this a bit more later on.
Will Your Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyer Prove a Dog Was Dangerous?
If you do need to prove that the dog was dangerous, your Las Vegas dog bite lawyer can do this in a couple of ways. They can submit proof that the pet’s owner had been sued before for a similar incident. Or, they can use other evidence, such as videos or social media, to show that the dog is known to be vicious.
How Can You Prevent a Dog Bite Injury?
Most dogs are friendly. And if they aren’t, their owners know this and keep them on a tight leash. There are times, however, when you just don’t see it coming. When a dog gets angry or irritated, they can behave in surprising ways. That’s why you need to be careful when approaching a strange dog. You even need to be careful when approaching a dog, you do know.
- Never antagonize or provoke a dog
- Do not approach a dog that you don’t know
- If you’ve seen a dog act viciously, steer clear of the animal
- Never approach a dog that isn’t on a leash
- Do not try to pet a dog that is sleeping or eating
Of course, there’s no way you can avoid a dog bite if the dog is determined to attack you. In an ideal world, the dog’s owner will keep their animal away from people if they know the dog is dangerous. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world.
Your Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyer Will Fight for Your Damages
The reason you hire a Las Vegas dog bite lawyer is because you are looking for compensation for your pain and suffering. We understand this. Yes, you want justice. But, at the same time, you want the defendant to pay. If someone is responsible for your injuries, then you shouldn’t be left holding the bag. Someone should pay. That’s what the lawyers here do. They fight for their clients.
Since each case is unique, we can never guarantee what sort of damages you’ll have. But some of the most common damages involved in dog bite cases involve the following:
- Medical bills – The defendant will have to compensate you for any medical bills caused by the dog attack. This includes future medical treatment, as well.
- Pain and Suffering – If your injuries are very painful, you may be entitled to pain and suffering. These damages are intended to compensate you for any mental or physical anguish caused by the dog attack.
- Lost wages or future income – If you can’t work as a result of your injuries, your Las Vegas dog bite lawyer can demand compensation. They’ll need to prove how much time you missed from work. They will also need to show that you will lose income in the future as a result of your injuries.
Call our Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyers at TorkLaw Right Away
Thankfully, dog bites aren’t all that common. But when it happens to you, the best thing to do is call a Las Vegas dog bite lawyer at TorkLaw. You can sit down with someone who knows the law. Ask them any questions you may have. Find out if you even have a claim for damages. And see what your claim may be worth. The consultation won’t cost you anything. But it will definitely give you an idea of how to best proceed with your case.
When you come into our office to meet with your lawyer for the first time, it’s important that you bring as much information as possible. The more information we have, the better we can prepare your case. And we can resolve your case more quickly if we have all of the evidence from the start. Try to bring the following information to your free, initial consultation with a Las Vegas dog bite law at TorkLaw:
- Copies of any letters from the defendant’s lawyer or insurance company
- A copy of your medical records
- Proof that the dog has attacked somebody in the past
- Proof that the dog’s owner has been cited for not taking care of his dog
- Pictures of your injuries
If you don’t have all of this information, that’s okay. Bring what you have, and we can work on getting the other information later on. Call today and schedule your free consultation so we can get you on the road to justice.