Animal Attack or Dog Bite Attorney in Nevada

There’s nothing like the companionship of a good dog. But even the best dogs are capable of causing serious harm if they attack another person. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a Nevada animal attack, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses.

Dog bites can leave victims with life-threatening and disfiguring injuries. You shouldn’t have to pay out of your own pocket for medical treatment or other expenses if you did nothing to provoke the attack. Pet owners have a legal duty to keep their dogs under control. A Nevada animal dog attack attorney from THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys can review your case and discuss your legal options in a free case evaluation. Contact us today to get started.

Six Types of Dog Bites

According to veterinarian Dr. Sophia Lin, dog bites fall into six categories depending on their severity. These include:

• Level one, or pre-bite: A pre-bite occurs when a dog or animal snaps or bites at the air without making contact with a person or another animal.
• Level two, or near-bite: In a near bite, a dog or animal’s mouth makes contact with a person. However, the dog or animal does not bite with their full force and does not break the skin.
• Level three: In this situation, the dog or animal’s bite does break the skin, but the puncture wounds are shallower than the length of the animal’s tooth. Level three bites include two sublevels. The first involves a single bite, and the second includes multiple bites. Multiple bites indicate that a dog feels highly aroused and aggressive.
• Level four, or very serious bites: A level four bite is a single bite where the depth of the puncture wound is deeper than the length of the dog’s tooth. This indicates the dog bit and clamped down. Level four dog bites may also result in slash wounds if the dog begins to shake its head violently after closing its mouth. Level four bites can be fatal to small children.
• Level five: In a level five bite, the dog bites and clamps down multiple times in succession.
• Level six: These severely violent and rare dog attacks result in death.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

The most frequent injuries and medical complications victims experience after animal attacks include:

Dog Bite Statistics

Dog bite statistics compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Veterinary Medical Association report that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs nationwide each year. Of that number, more than 800,000 people required medical attention for their dog bite injuries.

Data also shows children are the most common victims of dog bites and the most likely age group to sustain severe injuries from an attack. Most young children are bitten by a familiar dog, such as a family pet or one belonging to a relative, friend, or neighbor.

What is a Dangerous Dog in Nevada?

Nevada Revised Statute §202.500 defines a dangerous dog as one that:

• Behaved menacingly without provocation on at least two separate occasions within an 18-month period in a way that would make a reasonable person act to defend themselves against substantial bodily harm when the dog was off its owner’s premises or not confined in a cage, pen, or vehicle
• Used by its owner or keeper in the commission of a crime

What is a Vicious Dog?

The law distinguishes dangerous dogs from vicious ones. A dog is vicious if:

• Without being provoked, it inflicts substantial bodily harm upon or kills a human
• It continues displaying dangerous behavior after being declared dangerous by a law enforcement agency

Someone who owns or keeps a vicious dog for more than seven days after receiving notice of the dog’s vicious designation or who transfers ownership of the dog to someone else can be charged with a misdemeanor. The owner or keeper of a vicious dog that inflicts substantial injury on someone can be charged with a Category D felony.

Who is Responsible for an Animal Attack?

The owner or keeper of a dog that attacks someone could be held liable for injuries stemming from an attack. However, potential limitations could impact your ability to file a dog bite claim.

Nevada follows the “one bite rule.” Under this law, dog owners may not be considered negligent unless their dog has been bitten before or the owner did something that caused or contributed to the attack. But if the dog has already been declared dangerous or vicious, the owner could be liable for injuries from an attack.

In dog bite cases involving familiar dogs, victims sometimes hesitate to sue because they don’t want to upset the family member, friend, or neighbor who owns the animal. Don’t worry — dog bite compensation typically comes from the owner’s homeowners or renter’s insurance policy. The insurance company, not the person, pays for the injuries.

Protect Your Rights After a Dog Bite: Contact a Nevada Lawyer Today

THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys is an accomplished personal injury law firm with experience representing clients coping with the terrible aftermath of a dog attack. A successful dog bite settlement can provide vital compensation for medical bills, lost income, future treatment, and pain and suffering. Reach out to us now for a free consultation with a Nevada dog bite lawyer.