Were you or a child bitten by a dog in Reno, NV? Dog bite injuries can be much more serious than you expect–and the dog owner may owe you compensation. An experienced Reno dog bite lawyer at Battle Born Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our entire legal practice is devoted to helping injured clients like you recover fair compensation for cases like, construction accidents, catastrophic injuries, Reno motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims, brain injuries, truck accidents, and more. Over the years, we’ve successfully won more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients and their families.
Are you interested in learning more about how we can put over 85 years of combined experience to work for you? Call our law offices in Reno, Nevada at (775) 535-7768 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
How Battle Born Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Dog Bite Claim in Reno
If you were injured by a dog, you already know that the damage can be severe. Dog bites may be common–but they’re also costly and painful. As the victim, you may have the right to hold the dog’s owner liable for damage.
Nevada dog bite laws tend to favor dog owners. It can be tough for victims to prove liability and recover fair compensation. An experienced Reno personal injury lawyer at Battle Born Injury Lawyers can help you build a strong case for compensation.
Over the years, our law practice has been recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. We’ve also earned a perfect-10 Avvo rating for our legal services.
Hiring us means we will:
- Gather evidence to establish liability
- Help you understand your options under state laws on dog bites
- Bring in leading experts when necessary to prove your case
- Assess the fair value of your case
- Negotiate to recover the maximum compensation available
Our Reno personal injury attorneys have been helping clients like you for decades. To get the legal advice you need, call our team for a free consultation.
How Common Are Dog Bite Injuries?
According to CDC estimates, about 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year. Many of those dog bite victims require medical attention. In a single year, about 27,000 dog bite victims underwent reconstructive surgery because of dog bites. Nearly one out of every five dog bites becomes infected.
Dog bite injuries are both common and expensive. In 2021, homeowners’ insurance companies paid out roughly $882 million in compensation to dog bite victims in the U.S.
What Is My Reno Dog Bite Case Worth?
It’s impossible to determine the value of your personal injury case without all the facts. Before estimating your case value, our lawyers must first examine many different factors that are unique to your case.
Some of the most critical factors include:
- The severity and type of injury you’ve sustained
- The cost of your medical care
- Whether you will require ongoing medical treatment or surgeries
- Whether you lose income because of your treatment or the need to care for others
- Your emotional trauma and suffering
The identity of the victim can also play a role in the value of a dog bite injury case. Children who are bitten by dogs or attacked by animals often suffer severe emotional trauma. Even as an adult, every victim reacts differently to the situation.
Because every case is different, we highly recommend consulting an experienced lawyer before taking an insurance settlement. Our team at Battle Born Injury Lawyers would be happy to offer more insight into the value of your case. Just call our law firm in Reno to schedule a free case evaluation today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims?
Nevada personal injury laws group damages according to whether they represent economic losses or non-economic losses.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Rehabilitation and reconstructive surgeries
- PTSD and fear of animals
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium and damage to relationships
When dog owners are irresponsible, victims shouldn’t be left to suffer the financial consequences. Our lawyers will fight to recover fair compensation for all of your losses.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in Nevada?
Shared fault can be an issue in dog bite cases that are based on negligence. Dog owners often claim that dog bite victims provoked the animal to bite and, therefore, should share some of the blame for their own injuries.
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence law. Injured parties can recover compensation if they’re less than 51% responsible for their own injuries. Once your share of fault reaches 51%, courts won’t award damages for your injuries.
Our Reno Dog Bite Attorneys Will Fight To Recover Fair Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Every day, approximately 1,000 Americans visit the emergency room with dog bite injuries. The long-term consequences of those injuries are often much more serious than you might think.
Large dogs have the ability to knock their victims over. In addition to bite marks, puncture wounds, and lacerations, dog bite victims often suffer:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ damage
- Sepsis caused by infection
- Soft tissue damage, including tears in the muscles and ligaments
- Facial injuries
- Damage to the eyes
- Severe bruising
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Concussions
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
At Battle Born Injury Lawyers, we have the resources to handle your personal injury case regardless of the type of injury involved. Call to learn more about how our Reno dog bite attorneys can fight to protect your family’s legal rights.
Do I Have To Prove Negligence After a Dog Bite in Nevada?
When you’re injured in a car accident or slip and fall, you typically must prove negligence to recover compensation. Dog bite victims often must prove negligence to recover compensation for their losses.
Nevada follows a “one bite rule” when it comes to dog bite cases. Under the one-bite rule, each dog essentially gets one “free” bite. Dog owners can’t be held strictly liable for damages unless they were negligent.
On the other hand, you won’t have to prove negligence if you can prove:
- The dog has bitten someone else in the past
- The dog owner knew or should have known about the dog’s vicious propensities
If you can prove both of these elements, the dog owner can be strictly liable for damages without proof of negligence.
Dog owners with dogs that are classified as “vicious” or “dangerous” under Nevada animal control laws can also be held accountable for their animals’ actions. They may even be subject to criminal penalties if they continue to keep a dog that is classified as vicious or dangerous.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Dog Bite in Nevada?
If the dog has never bitten before, you must establish negligence to recover damages. Negligence is a failure to take reasonable precautions to keep others safe under the circumstances.
You may be able to prove that the dog owner was negligent if they:
- Failed to keep the dog confined in a secure area
- Allowed the dog to wander the streets unleashed
- Trained the dog to attack or engage in vicious behavior
Dog owners can also be “negligent per se” if they violate a law designed to protect others. “Negligence per se” means that the owner is automatically negligent. That might be the case if the dog owner allowed the animal to roam free in violation of the leash laws in Reno and Washoe County.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Dog Bite Injuries?
Most of the time, a dog’s owner is liable for dog bite injuries and animal attacks. However, it’s also possible that someone else could be held liable.
Examples of responsible parties might include:
- Dog walkers and caretakers
- Businesses that allow animals to roam freely
- Landlords and other property owners
- Dog groomers
Business owners have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe under Nevada premises liability laws. If you were bitten by a dog in a public place, it’s possible that you may be entitled to compensation from the owner.
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Nevada?
The Nevada statute of limitations is two years. You have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Allowing the two-year statute of limitations to expire has serious consequences. You’ll lose your right to compensation entirely if you wait too long.
Contact a Reno Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You could be facing significant medical bills and a need for painful reconstructive surgeries if you were bitten by a dog. An experienced Reno dog bite lawyer can help you fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. At Battle Born Injury Lawyers, we’re ready to start building your case today. Just call for your free initial consultation to get started.
