Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorney
We Will Fight For You
While there is no dog bite statute in Nevada, there are avenues for those who have been bitten or attacked to seek compensation from negligent owners of these animals. Effectively doing this, however, requires a strong understanding of Nevada case precedents and how the circumstances of your injury can be asserted in a court of law.
Burris & Thomas, LLC is an award-winning, sought-after law firm that has been dedicated to helping personal injury victims for more than 45 years. Attorney Burris is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and has recovered million dollar verdicts on behalf of his clients. He and his team are ready to bring the same, effective, and unparalleled service to you and your dog bite claim today.
Ensure that your injuries are answered for. Contact our compassionate Las Vegas personal injury lawyer for a free consultation today!
Understanding Dog Bite Laws and Owner Negligence in Nevada
Dog bite victims can pursue compensation for their injury on the grounds of negligence. In these cases, negligence can be established as it most commonly is in personal injury or premises liability cases, or as "negligence per se."
In relation to dog bite claims, these terms mean the following:
- Negligence in these cases means a lack of ordinary care. Negligent dog owners have not shown reasonable caution or taken reasonable measures to keep their dog from hurting people.
- Negligence per se is only applicable in some counties of Nevada where negligence is considered part of a dog owner violating local animal control laws. These counties may have specific leashing laws and if an owner is in violation, they are already considered negligent—even before any injury occurs.
In proving that an owner has been negligent, dog bite victims may have to maneuver around the "one bite rule." Nevada is a "one bite" state, which means that for a dog owner to be ruled negligent, it must be proven that they were aware that the dog has been dangerous in the past and that they failed to take the proper precautions.
Preparing Your Dog Bite Claim for Success
The burden on proving these circumstances in court is on the plaintiff in these cases. However, with proper representation, the right evidence can be collected and assertively presented. Our Las Vegas personal injury attorney is always prepared to help new clients establish the facts of their claim and ensure that the gravity of their injury is made clear.
Start pursuing the compensation you deserve. Contact Burris & Thomas, LLC today!
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 702-529-3101 today!
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How much is my case worth?
There are many factors that go into evaluating the settlement value of a personal injury case. It is not a simple matter of applying a formula. Typically, everyone thinks that their case is “simple” and “clear-cut”. Everyone tends to think that the amount of money they are seeking is “fair and reasonable”. That is human nature. However, the reality is that, in the end, a personal injury case is worth what a jury says it is worth. The job of the victim’s personal injury lawyer is to come up with a settlement that reflects the risk of going to trial (odds of winning vs. odds of losing), together with the range of what value a jury might actually return on the case.
In deciding settlement values, we need to consider the following:
- Is fault clear, or contested?
- Are the injuries severe or mild?
- Is there an issue with insurance coverage?
- Is the client a good communicator?
- Is the defendant/wrongdoer likable or unlikable?
Normally, I am able to give a very general estimate range of settlement value and odds soon after taking on a case, with the understanding that these are just estimates and not guarantees. The longer the case goes on, the more definite I can be about the settlement value range.
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Do I have a personal injury case?
It is often times said by attorneys that in order for there to be a viable personal injury case, there must be “three legs on the stool.” These legs are: liability (or fault); damages (or injury); and collectability (insurance). If any one of the “legs” is missing, then there is not a viable case.
- Liability - A clear example of liability would be someone running through a red light. That person would be at fault. On the other hand, let us say that somebody is hit by a meteorite falling from the sky, and seriously hurt. In that case, although there is injury, there is no earthly entity at fault.
- Damages - An example of damages would be someone getting hit in the nose by an airbag, which breaks their nose. That person has an injury caused by the collision. On the other hand, what if that same person is almost hit by a car running a red light, but by the grace of God is able to avoid the collision? That person might say “I was almost killed, but I didn’t get a scratch.” In that case, the person was not injured and there is no case.
- Collectability - To give an example of collectability, imagine that a drunk driver runs through a red light, and the driver is Donald Trump. In that case, if Donald Trump hit and injured someone when he ran the red light, the victim will be able to collect upon any judgment that they receive. Imagine, on the other hand, that the drunk driver is someone who just got out of prison, and has no insurance and no property. Although that person will probably go to jail, there is no practical way to collect money from him, as he is a “scofflaw” living outside responsibilities of society.
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What Is the Nevada Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases?
When it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit, it's important to pay attention to the statute of limitations for the state you're filing in. A statute of limitations is the time limit that a state puts on how long after your accident you are allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit. Statutes vary from state to state.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) (2016) states that individuals wishing to file a personal injury lawsuit must do so within 2 years of the date of their accident. However, there are certain exceptions that can be made depending on your circumstances. For example, if you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, you generally only have 1 year to file your lawsuit after the date of your injury (Nevada Revised Statutes section 41A.097).
Statute of limitations can be complex, and if you fail to file your lawsuit within the allotted amount of time your case will most likely be dismissed. Don't put your compensation on the line! Contact our experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and determine what your next steps should be.
