Have you or a loved one been injured in a dog attack?
The dog’s owner may be liable for damages from the attack. However, building a strong dog bite case is complicated and takes time. You need an experienced attorney with extensive knowledge of relevant state laws. You also need an attorney with a successful track record.
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At Bernstein & Poisson, we have been helping injury victims secure compensation for damages caused by negligence since 2007. We have obtained more than $100 million on behalf of our clients. We have extensive knowledge of how to prove liability for a dog attack and we have the resources to investigate these claims and build strong cases.
Our attorneys take dog bite cases on contingency, which means no upfront fees or obligations. The initial consultation is free and there are no fees while working on your case. Unlike some firms, partners Jack Bernstein and Scott Poisson are personally involved in every case the firm takes on.
Why You Should Contact a Lawyer After a Dog Attack
If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, a Las Vegas dog bite lawyer at Bernstein & Poisson can meet with you to discuss your legal rights and your options. You may be facing medical bills and an inability to work that can lead to serious financial problems. We can talk to you about pursuing a personal injury claim against the owner of the dog to cover these costs, and possibly more.
You may think you can deal with the insurance company on your own. However, insurance companies are not out to protect your best interests. They want to resolve this situation as quickly and cheaply as possible. Insurance adjusters may call to express their concern, but their loyalty is always to the insurance company’s bottom line.
Dog owners need to be held accountable for failing to properly secure and/or train and control their dogs, and Nevada personal injury laws exist to allow people who have been injured to prove that a dog owner was negligent.
Interpreting these laws and gathering evidence is not something you need to do alone, particularly while you are managing a significant injury. Our Las Vegas dog bite attorneys are ready to handle the legal process on your behalf. We have a proven record of recovering compensation for our clients.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Las Vegas, call (855) 605-2959
Do I Have a Valid Case Against the Dog’s Owner?
This is a question you should discuss with a licensed attorney, as there can be many factors to consider, such as where and when the attack happened, whether the dog was classified as dangerous under state law, whether the owner was negligent in securing the dog, and more.
In a free consultation, one of our Las Vegas dog bite lawyers can review what happened and determine if you may be able to file a claim for compensation.
Our attorneys are prepared to fight for fair compensation for such dog bite injuries as:
- Lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones from being knocked over
- Crush injuries from the force of the bite
- Amputation of extremities (fingers, etc.)
- Scarring and disfigurement
Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Shar Peis and Boxers are among the breeds most often involved in dog attacks. While these dogs can cause serious injuries, the truth is many other types of dogs can seriously injure those they bite.
While most dog bites are not fatal, they can be very painful and cause significant pain, temporary or permanent loss of mobility, and keep you out of work for a significant period.
Dog bites are not to be taken lightly, particularly if you believe more could have been done to prevent it from happening.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (855) 605-2959
When Can Dog Owners Be Held Responsible for a Dog Bite in Nevada?
Nevada is considered a one bite state because it does not have a statewide dog bite statute. That means dog bite victims may be able to recover compensation if the dog that attacked them had attacked or bitten someone once before.
You may also be able to recover compensation if the dog that attacked you has been classified as a dangerous dog under state law. Dogs will not be classified as dangerous unless the dog behaved in a menacing fashion toward a person:
- A minimum of two times in an 18-month period
- Without being provoked through pain or torment
- When the dog was off its leash and at large
You may also be able to file legal action under the legal theory of negligence. In this type of claim, your Las Vegas dog bite lawyer would need to prove the owner was negligent in some way and this allowed the dog to attack you.
Your lawyer may also be able to file a claim under the legal theory of negligence per se if the dog’s owner violated a municipal statute on owning a dog. For example, Clark County requires owners to keep dogs securely on their property by adequate means, such as with a:
- Fence
- Cage
- Coop
- Chain
- Leash
If you were in public and a dog was off its leash when it attacked you, the owner may be liable for allowing the dog to leave his or her property. The owner may also be liable if the dog was classified as dangerous under state law, but it was not muzzled when it attacked you in public. Nevada requires dog owners to always maintain control of their dogs.
You need a strong case to have a chance of recovering compensation for your damages. That is why it is important to hire a licensed lawyer with extensive knowledge of the law. Bernstein & Poisson’s attorneys have a track record of success, and we are prepared to aggressively pursue full compensation for your damages.
Contact our Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorneys today
How Much Might a Dog Bite Claim Be Worth?
Dog bites and attacks can leave emotional and psychological scars as well as physical ones. If we validate your case and you hire our firm to represent you, we are prepared to pursue economic and noneconomic damages caused by the attack, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages if you missed work due to your injuries
- Damage to personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- And more
Complete a Free Case Review form now
What is the Deadline for Filing a Dog Bite Claim?
Typically, you have two years from the date of the attack to file a claim. Failing to file before those two years pass likely makes you ineligible to file a lawsuit. You might lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your damages.
That is why it is important to get in touch with a licensed attorney as soon as possible to validate your case. Your lawyer needs time to investigate and if you wait, evidence could be lost, and witnesses could forget details about what they saw.
What Should You Do if Bitten by a Dog?
Millions are bitten by dogs each year, with many injured so badly they need to go to an emergency room. Sadly, many who are seriously injured in these attacks are children.
It is important for dog bite victims to act quickly to try to preserve their claims.
The first thing to do is to seek immediate medical treatment, even if you do not believe the bite to be serious. Dogs can carry rabies and other diseases that can cause serious infections in humans.
If possible, while you are at the scene, talk to witnesses and take pictures of your injuries, the location of the attack and the dog. Ask witnesses for contact information for future reference. They may be able to tell you if the dog has bitten someone before or has a history of aggressive behavior. In a one bite rule case, you need to prove the dog had bitten someone before or acted aggressively.
You also need to report the bite to your city or county Health Officer or Animal Control Officer. This legal duty applies to victims and dog owners. If you were bitten in Clark County, contact Clark County Animal Control to report what happened. This creates an official record of the attack, helping to validate your claim.
Call Today to Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Dog Bite Consultation
The Las Vegas dog bite lawyers at Bernstein & Poisson have been helping people who were injured in attacks since 2007. We have seen the horrors that can be forced upon people who are bitten, seriously injured, and badly disfigured because of a dog’s ability to tear and shred with its large teeth and powerful jaws.
Dogs are wonderful additions to most families, but everyone needs to understand that they are also animals that have instincts and physical capabilities that can lead to an enormous amount of harm if they are not properly controlled.
Victims should strongly consider seeking experienced legal help, which Bernstein & Poisson is prepared to provide. There are no upfront costs or obligations and we do not get paid unless you get paid.
Our office is located at 320 S Jones Blvd, about 10 minutes from the Clark County Animal Control Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Call or text (855) 605-2959 or complete a Free Case Review form
