Were you injured by a dog bite in Henderson, NV? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Those hurt by dog bites can face unexpected medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and the costs of future medical care. A Henderson dog bite lawyer can investigate the incident, find out who was at fault, and help you with your personal injury claim.
At Battle Born Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have over 85 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million in damages for our clients. We have pursued many claims just like yours. You can trust our experienced attorneys to work with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
Contact our legal team at 702-570-9000 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Battle Born Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Dog Bite Incident in Henderson, NV
Dog bite victims in Henderson, Nevada can face medical bills, the need for surgery and ongoing treatment, missed work due to injuries, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. Obtaining justice for these losses on your own will be a difficult task. With skilled legal assistance, you can hold the dog’s owner responsible for your financial hardship caused by the incident.
A Henderson personal injury attorney will investigate the case and take action. When you hire Battle Born Injury Lawyers to represent you in a dog bite claim, we will:
- Fully investigate the accident, including how it happened and who is responsible
- Gather evidence, such as police reports, photos, video recordings, eyewitness statements, and information about the dog’s history
- Negotiate with insurance companies to maximize your potential settlement in an insurance claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company won’t fairly recognize your losses
- Take your dog bite case to a jury trial whenever needed to achieve justice.
Our lawyers have been recognized by reputable legal organizations such as Super Lawyers, Nevada Business Journal Elite, and the American Society of Legal Advocates. We are ready to help you get your dog bite claim started today. Call us today for a free consultation.
How Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer for a Dog Bite Case?
In Nevada personal injury cases, lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients do not pay attorney fees unless we win their case. Instead of paying upfront retainer fees or monthly invoices, clients pay attorney fees as a percentage of their financial settlement at the end of the case. You won’t owe us anything if we don’t win your case.
There is no financial obligation or risk in meeting with us to discuss your case. We will listen to the facts and guide you in your next steps.
What Are Common Causes of Dog Bite Incidents in Henderson, NV?
Over 4 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and over 20% of these dog bites result in hospital visits for those attacked, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Dog bites happen quickly and can leave victims seriously injured or ill. Regardless of size or breed, any dog can attack and bite a person for various reasons.
Dogs are known to bite in any of the following situations and more:
- When under stress
- When defending itself
- When scared or startled
- When threatened by a person or another dog
- To protect an object
- When injured or sick
- When being transported
- When at play
Dog owners can take certain steps to avoid dog bites. Avoiding stressful situations and paying attention to a dog’s body language are key steps to preventing attacks. Keeping dogs properly leashed and restrained are also clear steps to take in keeping dog bites from happening.
What Are Common Injuries From Dog Bites?
Dog bites can cause various injuries – sometimes catastrophic or fatal. Common injuries in dog bite incidents can include:
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Skin and tissue infections
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Skull fractures from falls
- Loss of limbs, fingers, toes, and appendages
- Permanent disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Dog bite injuries can have long-lasting impacts on a person’s life. To address your full scope of injuries and damages, your lawyer will seek the maximum compensation available to aid your financial recovery.
What is Nevada Law for Dog Bite Cases?
Nevada is one of few states without a specific statute covering dog bite claims. Each dog bite case is decided independently, based on local laws and case law, including Harry v. Smith. In that case, the court found a dog bite victim must show negligence on the dog owner’s part before damages can be awarded.
In many cases, Nevada follows a “one bite” rule, meaning that if a dog has not bitten anyone before, the dog’s owner is not strictly liable for damages caused. To succeed in a dog bite lawsuit, a plaintiff must show that the dog’s owner was negligent and that their negligence caused the plaintiff’s injuries. A dog owner must have knowledge of their dog’s viciousness before they can be held liable for a dog bite injury.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Dog Bite Case?
Personal injury claims – including dog bite claims in Nevada – are based on negligence. To prove negligence in a dog bite case, plaintiffs must show the dog’s owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent the dog bite, which caused injuries.
Negligence involves four basic elements:
- Duty of Care: The dog’s owner had a duty of care to you.
- Breach of Duty: They breached their duty when their dog bit you.
- Causation: The dog bite was the cause of your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered injuries as a result of the incident.
Proving negligence requires the skillful use of evidence to establish each element. We will utilize the evidence in your case to fight for your financial recovery.
What Compensation Can I Recover From a Nevada Dog Bite Claim?
There is no set formula to estimate what your dog bite claim is worth at the outset. The overall value of your claim will depend on the facts involved. Personal injury cases involve both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are tangible, calculable costs of an accident, which can include:
- Medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced future income
- Costs of therapy and rehab
Non-economic damages include other damages like:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Disfigurement
In rare cases, victims may also be awarded punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their malicious or reckless behavior. We can help you calculate your damages and determine the value of your case.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I Share the Blame for a Dog Bite in Nevada?
Nevada law allows victims to collect damages even if they share some share of the blame for the incident. Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, a person can collect damages as long as they were not more than 50% liable for the accident in a personal injury claim.
However, their share of the ultimate financial award would be lowered in proportion to their share of responsibility. For example, if a victim was found 25% to blame for an incident worth $100,000, they would collect $75,000 instead of the full amount. If you were injured in an accident, you should not let your comparative fault stop you from talking to a lawyer.
What is the Deadline to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Nevada?
Those hurt in a dog bite attack should pursue legal action against the responsible dog owner as soon as they can. In Nevada, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit is two years from the date of the attack. This deadline starts running from the date of a dog bite.
Failing to file by the deadline can permanently prevent a victim from receiving compensation for their claim. A knowledgeable Henderson personal injury lawyer will know the deadlines that apply to your case and will work toward the best outcome.
Contact Our Henderson Dog Bite Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite attack, you could have a legal right to compensation from the dog’s owner. Under Nevada law, however, this is not always simple. Having an experienced Henderson dog bite attorney on your side can make all the difference in your case. Our dedicated legal team understands the physical toll and financial hardships that can follow an unexpected dog bite. Contact Battle Born Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
