Dog bites and animal attacks in Las Vegas cause serious injuries — deep lacerations requiring reconstructive surgery, nerve damage, tendon injuries, bone fractures from the force of a large dog attack, and significant psychological trauma, particularly for child victims. Nevada imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites that occur in public places or when the victim was lawfully on private property — meaning the victim does not need to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Marathon Law Group represents Las Vegas dog bite and animal attack injury victims, pursuing the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage for the full compensation available under Nevada strict liability law.
Injured in Las Vegas? Call Marathon Law Group at (702) 522-1808 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Nevada Dog Bite Strict Liability Under NRS 202.500, One-Bite Rule History, Lawful Presence Requirement, Homeowner Insurance Claims, and Serious Injury Damages
Nevada’s dog bite statute (NRS 202.500) imposes strict liability on the owner of any dog that bites a person who is in a public place or lawfully on private property — the owner is liable regardless of whether the dog had previously shown any vicious propensity. This is a significant departure from the old common law “one bite rule” (which required proof that the owner knew the dog had previously bitten or shown dangerous tendencies) and makes Nevada a strict liability state for dog bites. The lawful presence element is satisfied when the victim was in a public place (a park, sidewalk, or public area) or was lawfully on private property — including as an invited guest, a utility worker, a mail carrier, or a delivery person performing their duties. Trespassers on private property may not be able to invoke the strict liability statute, though other theories (negligence, negligence per se for leash law violations) may still be available. Clark County and the City of Las Vegas both have leash laws and animal control ordinances that impose additional duties on dog owners — a dog that was loose in violation of a leash ordinance at the time of a bite creates negligence per se liability under the ordinance even for injuries that might not qualify for strict liability. Most dog bite claims in Las Vegas are covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy, which typically includes personal liability coverage for animal attacks. Some policies exclude certain dog breeds (pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other breeds designated as high-risk by the insurer) — this exclusion issue must be addressed early in the claims process. Damages in Nevada dog bite cases include: medical expenses for emergency care, wound treatment, surgical repair, physical therapy, and scar revision surgery; lost wages during recovery; future medical expenses for additional reconstructive procedures; and non-economic damages for physical and emotional pain and suffering, disfigurement, and psychological trauma. Child dog bite victims are entitled to non-economic damages without the same contributory negligence analysis applied to adults, and the psychological impact of a dog attack on a child — fear, PTSD, lasting phobias — can represent substantial damages. Marathon Law Group pursues the full Nevada strict liability damages available in Las Vegas dog bite cases and handles the insurance negotiation and, when necessary, litigation against the dog owner and insurer.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Las Vegas dog bite attorney at Marathon Law Group. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.
For more information about your legal options, visit our Nevada personal injury practice area page or contact us today for a free consultation. You should also be aware of the Nevada personal injury statute of limitations to protect your rights.