Las Vegas Dog Bites
Las Vegas Dog Bite Attorney
Nevada doesn't make dog owners automatically liable just because their dog bit someone — but that doesn't mean they're off the hook. Liability turns on whether the owner knew the dog could be dangerous, whether they violated leash or animal-control ordinances, and whether they were otherwise negligent. For over 26 years, Eric Blank Injury Attorneys has handled dog-bite cases across Clark County. Free consultation, and no fees unless we win.
- 26+ Years
- Millions Recovered
- Available 24/7
- Free Consultation
- Millions
- Recovered for Bite Victims
- 1000s
- of Dog-Bite Cases Handled
- $0
- Out-of-Pocket Fees
- 24/7
- Free Consultation
Contingency fee only
First Steps
What To Do After A Dog Bite In Las Vegas
The first hours after a bite shape your entire claim. Here's how to protect yourself and your case.
- 1
Get To Safety
Get yourself away from the dog. If you can safely identify the owner, get their name, address, and contact info before you leave the scene — and information about the dog (breed, color, tags, vaccination history) if possible.
- 2
Report The Bite
Call 911 if the injury is serious, and report the bite to animal control. In Clark County, animal control should be notified — the bite report becomes part of the dog's history, which matters under Nevada's negligence framework.
- 3
Photograph Everything
Photograph the wounds before they're cleaned up or bandaged, your torn clothing, the location of the bite, and the dog itself if you can do it safely. Continue photographing as wounds change over the following days.
- 4
See A Doctor
Dog bites carry serious infection risk and often need follow-up wound care, antibiotics, and sometimes reconstructive treatment. Get evaluated immediately and follow every recommendation — gaps in care become a problem in your claim.
- 5
Don't Sign Anything
Homeowner's or renter's insurance is usually the source of payment in a dog-bite case. The carrier may call quickly with a low offer or a release form — refer them to your lawyer before signing anything or giving a recorded statement.
- 6
Call An Attorney First
Nevada dog-bite cases turn on the dog's history, the owner's knowledge, and any ordinance violations. An attorney can move fast to obtain animal control records and lock in witness statements before they're gone.
Our Approach
How Eric Blank Injury Attorneys Handles Dog Bite Cases
Eric Blank spent the early part of his career defending insurance companies. We bring that insider knowledge to every dog-bite case — the same edge we apply across our personal injury practice .
Investigate The History
Nevada cases turn on what the owner knew. We pull animal control records, prior bite history, neighborhood complaints, and witness accounts to establish the dog's dangerous propensity — and the owner's knowledge of it.
Document The Injuries
Dog-bite injuries are often layered: lacerations, infections, nerve damage, scarring, and lasting psychological impact — especially for children. We work with treating doctors and, where needed, plastic surgeons and mental-health providers to document the full picture.
Negotiate With The Insurer
Most payments in dog-bite cases come from homeowner's or renter's insurance. Eric Blank's insurance-defense experience tells us where adjusters cut — and how to push back.
Try The Case If Needed
We prepare every dog-bite case as if it's going in front of a jury. That's when settlement offers improve.
Damages
What Dog Bite Victims Can Recover In Nevada
Nevada law lets injury victims recover compensatory damages — both the concrete financial losses and the human cost of the attack. In rare cases involving especially reckless conduct, punitive damages may also apply.
Economic Damages
- Medical bills — past and future treatment, including reconstructive surgery
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Counseling and mental-health treatment
- Out-of-pocket costs — transportation, prescriptions, and more
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress — often significant, especially for children
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Nevada caps damages in medical malpractice cases but not in general personal injury claims. The amount you can recover depends on the specifics of your case — a free consultation is the best way to get a real answer.
Nevada Law
Key Nevada Dog Bite Laws
Statute of Limitations
Nevada gives you 2 years from the date of the bite to file a dog-bite lawsuit (NRS 11.190). Miss that deadline and you can lose the right to recover entirely — and animal control records and witness memories get harder to retrieve over time.
Comparative Negligence
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are 51% or more at fault — for example, by provoking the dog — you recover nothing; if you are partly at fault but under that, your recovery is reduced by your share.
How Nevada Assigns Liability
Nevada does not have a broad strict-liability dog-bite statute, so owners are not automatically liable just because a bite occurs. Liability is generally based on negligence, often proven through the owner's knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities or a violation of a local leash or animal-control ordinance (such as Clark County's Title 10 animal code) that contributed to the attack. NRS 202.500, part of the criminal code, also defines dangerous and vicious dog classifications, which can be powerful evidence in a civil case.
This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Talk to an attorney about the facts of your situation.
FAQ
Common Dog Bite Questions
Is Nevada a strict-liability state for dog bites?
Generally no. Nevada does not have a broad strict-liability dog-bite statute that makes owners automatically responsible for every bite. Liability usually depends on negligence — most often the owner's knowledge of the dog's dangerous behavior, or a violation of a local leash or animal-control ordinance that caused the bite.
What is the 'one-bite rule'?
It's a common-law approach that bases liability on the owner's knowledge of their dog's behavior. The label is a bit misleading — an owner can be liable on the first bite if they had reason to know the dog might be dangerous (prior aggressive behavior, complaints, warning signs). And the rule doesn't override leash-law violations, which can support liability regardless of bite history.
Who pays for my injuries in a Nevada dog bite case?
Most commonly, the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. When the bite occurs on a third party's property — a rental, a hotel, an apartment complex — additional policies may apply. We chase down every available source of coverage.
What if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
You may still have a case. Aggressive behavior short of a bite — growling, lunging, charging at people — can put an owner on notice. A leash-law violation creates a separate path to liability. And Nevada's dangerous/vicious-dog statute (NRS 202.500) is another piece of the analysis where prior conduct is documented.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Nevada?
Two years from the date of the bite, under NRS 11.190. Don't wait — animal control records, witnesses, and the dog's history are easier to lock down early. Claims involving government entities can have much shorter notice deadlines.
How much does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer?
Our fee is contingency-based — no upfront cost and no hourly billing. We only get paid if we win, and the fee is a percentage of your recovery, agreed to in writing before we start.
I had terrible injuries as a result of the accident I had and hiring Eric Blank to be on my side during this difficult process was the best thing I did.
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Three Reasons To Reach Out Today
- Free, no-obligation case review
- No fees unless we win your case
- Available 24/7 — nights, weekends, holidays
Nevada dog-bite cases turn on the dog's history and the owner's knowledge — evidence that's easier to lock down early. The sooner we hear from you, the more we can do.
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