Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Explains Dog Bites
In the United States, almost 5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. About one in five of these victims require medical attention for bite-related injuries, and about half of the injuries require emergency medical treatment.
A Las Vegas attorney expounds dog bites’ serious legal implications on both the victim and the owner of the dog,
Las Vegas Dog Bite Law
In Nevada, a dog owner can be held criminally liable for a dog bite. In addition, the owner may also be sued by the victim for negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
Nevada Revised Statute Section 202.500: Dangerous or Vicious Dogs
A dog is deemed dangerous if, without provocation on two separate occasions within 18 months, it behaves menacingly to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend himself or herself against harm when the dog is off the premises of its owner and is not confined in a cage, pen, or vehicle.
A dog is considered provoked when it is subjected or tormented with pain.
A dog is considered vicious if, without provocation, it kills or inflicts substantial bodily harm on a person. An owner who knowingly keeps a vicious dog for longer than a week may be found guilty of a misdemeanor. If a known vicious dog causes substantial bodily harm in an attack, the owner may be found guilty of a felony.
Civil Liability
In addition to criminal liability, the owner of a dog that attacks another person may also face civil liability for the victim’s injuries in a dog bite lawsuit. All dog owners have a duty to maintain a certain level of safety with their dogs. If an owner fails to meet that duty and someone is injured as a result, the owner may be held responsible for the victim’s injuries. As such, the victim must be compensated by the owner for injuries that resulted from the dog bite and the necessary medical treatment.
Compensation of Dog Bites in Las Vegas
Expenses can add up quickly that resulted from animal or dog bites. When the victim files for a personal injury claims, they will receive compensation for all the injuries inflicted, the damages, and losses as result of the attack. The typical damages include:
- Emotional Distress: since dog attacks affects the victim at a physical, emotional, and psychological level, victims can experience panic attack, anxiety, paranoia, and other disorders which may need therapy and counseling.
- All medical expenses resulted from the afflicted injury: these expenses include emergency room fees, any related surgeries, and medications required after an animal or a dog attack.
- Physical pain: injuries are always painful; however, there are injuries that can last for a long time. Serious injuries should have financial compensation as a result of an accident, or a dog attack.
- Lost wages: there are times that an animal or dog attack can cause the victim to miss work for a period of time. Dog bites claim should cover the time that the victim had to spend away from work.
Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney, Ross Goodman
If you have been bitten by a dog and that bite required medical attention,
Personal Injury Lawyer Ross Goodman can help you get the full compensation demanded by the injury you received from the dog. We are committed to our clients’ best interests. We understand how a dog bite can leave a permanent scar not only bodily but also emotionally. Contact Attorney Ross Goodman and schedule a free consultation about your case.
