If a dog attacks you or a loved one in Las Vegas, the physical and emotional effects can last long after the wounds heal. Contact DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo at (702) 766-9891 or message us online for a free consultation to learn about your legal options after a Nevada dog bite.
Why Clients Choose DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo
Proven legal experience: Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have decades of experience handling serious injury claims and know how to build strong cases from the beginning.
Personalized representation: Every dog bite case receives individual attention because the circumstances, injuries, and long-term effects are unique.
Respected advocacy: Insurance companies know we prepare every case thoroughly and are ready to pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
How Dog Bite Liability Is Proven
Nevada does not automatically hold every dog owner responsible when a bite occurs. Instead, liability often depends on the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s behavior or whether the owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent the attack. Evidence that may strengthen a claim includes:
Prior bite incidents or aggressive behavior.
Animal control reports
Witness statements
Veterinary and vaccination records
Surveillance or doorbell camera footage
Photographs of the injuries and location of the attack
A complete investigation can reveal facts that the owner or insurance company may not voluntarily disclose.
Damages Available After a Dog Bite
A successful claim may include compensation for:
Medical care: Emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, plastic surgery, and future medical needs.
Lost income: Missed wages, diminished earning capacity, and lost employment benefits.
Personal harm: Pain, emotional distress, permanent scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Property damage: Clothing, eyeglasses, phones, or other personal belongings damaged during the attack.
The value of your case depends on how seriously the attack affects your health, ability to work, appearance, and daily life.
Nevada Dog Bite Laws
Nevada’s One-Bite Rule
Nevada generally follows the common law one-bite rule. A dog owner may be liable when they knew or reasonably should have known the animal had dangerous tendencies. Previous bites, aggressive behavior, or repeated complaints about the dog may establish that knowledge.
Clark County’s Leash Ordinance
Clark County Code 10.36.040 provides that an owner may not “cause, permit or allow” a dog to “stray, run or in any manner be at large.” If a loose dog bites someone, violating this safety ordinance may support a negligence per se claim. In other words, the owner’s violation of the law may serve as evidence that they acted negligently, making it easier to establish liability when the violation caused the injury.
Comparative Negligence
Under Nevada Revised Statutes 41.141, an injured person cannot recover damages if their negligence “is greater than the negligence of the defendant.” In a dog bite case, an owner may argue that the injured person provoked the dog, ignored warnings, or otherwise contributed to the attack. If a court finds the injured person partially to blame, any compensation is reduced by that percentage of fault.
Why Hiring a Lawyer is Critical
Las Vegas dog bite cases are frequently disputed because insurance companies argue that the dog had no history of aggression, the victim provoked the animal, or the injuries are less serious than you claim. Proving the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s dangerous behavior or establishing negligence often requires substantial evidence. A dog bite lawyer can:
Investigate the dog’s history.
Obtain animal control records.
Determine whether local leash laws were violated.
Locate available insurance coverage.
Develop the evidence needed to prove liability and damages.
With strong preparation, it becomes challenging for the insurance company to deny responsibility or minimize the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Contact DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo online or call (702) 766-9891 after a dog bite injury in Las Vegas. We can discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
