Why Choose Leverty & Associates Law?
We Have Recovered More than $150 Million for Injury Victims
At Leverty & Associates Law, we take our clients’ injury cases very seriously. And we have the record to prove it—having recovered over $150 million on their behalf. When you trust us with your dog bite case, you will receive stellar legal services founded on experience. Our attorneys . . .
- Have nearly 100 years of combined legal experience that includes fighting for the rights of clients in dog bite claims and other personal injury cases.
- Have strong reputations within the Nevada legal community. Gene Leverty and Patrick Leverty are award-winning attorneys who have received the highest ranking for professionalism from their peers.
- Provide personalized, responsive, and communicative services so you always know the status of your case.
- Are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for all our valued clients.
- Provide free consultations to help you learn, with no financial commitment, whether you may have a claim.
Read what clients say about us on our testimonials page.
Reach Out to a Dog Bite Lawyer in Reno
If you have been bitten by a dog because of an owner’s carelessness, reach out to our law firm for help. Once we learn about your situation, we will advise you about your options for a possible legal remedy.
Call us to arrange a free consultation with a dog bite lawyer in Northern Nevada by calling (775) 322-6636.
How Our Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
Handling Dog Bite Claims from Start to Finish
The trauma of a serious dog bite can leave you in physical pain and emotional distress. You may not understand what steps to take in such a situation and what rights you have. A compassionate dog bite lawyer from our firm can alleviate your anxiety and confusion so you can focus on recuperation. Our lawyer will:
- Investigate what happened
- Gather the evidence to build your case
- Document your damages
- Counsel you about a possible value range of compensation
- Work to negotiate a fair settlement with insurers
- Argue for you in court if you do not receive a fair settlement offer.
Get legal help right away if you have suffered dog bite injuries in Nevada. Not only will this get you on the path to possible compensation more quickly, but it could put the owner on notice to better restrain their dog and potentially prevent someone else from being hurt.
Damages in Dog Bite Claims
Damages in dog bite claims are the losses you have suffered because of your injuries. Examples of damages you may be able to pursue based on your situation include payment for:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages if you missed work
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries affect your future work
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or other deformities.
Contact us today at (775) 322-6636 to schedule a free consultation when you have suffered dog bite injuries in Nevada.
Dog Bite Liability in Nevada
Nevada does not have a specific law on the books that addresses liability for dog bites. Generally, the state uses the “one-bite rule.” If a dog has never bitten before, the owner may not be liable because they may not have known the dog was aggressive. However, if the dog caused substantial injuries to a person, even if it was the first time it bit, the owner may still be liable. Or if the animal showed obvious signs of aggression before it bit and the owner witnessed the aggression and did nothing about it, they may still be found to be liable. Obvious signs of aggression in a dog can include growling, snarling, showing its teeth and other behaviors.
When a dog has bitten in the past, establishing negligence and liability is more likely because it can be argued that the owner knew the dog was aggressive and despite that knowledge did not take adequate steps to keep it from biting again.
As you can see, whether a dog bite liability claim in Nevada will be successful involves a variety of factors. In addition to establishing that the dog has bitten before and/or that the owner knew their dog was aggressive, it must also be shown, under Nevada’s rule of comparative negligence, that the person who was bitten was not more than 50 percent responsible for causing the dog to bite. If the opposition is able to convince the court that the injured party shared the majority of responsibility for their own bite injury, they will not be able to obtain damages. People who provoke dogs by teasing, abusing, or tormenting them and are bitten will probably find that they are held at fault for their own injuries.
Once we understand the specifics of how you were bitten and the circumstances, we can counsel you about filing a claim or lawsuit. Call (775) 322-6636 to schedule a free consultation with an effective Northern Nevada dog bite lawyer.
FAQs About Dog Bites
Northern Nevada Dog Bite Attorney Answers Common Questions
Here are common questions that people have about dog bite claims. For answers related to your specific case, reach out to a Reno dog bite attorney from our firm.
After being bitten by a dog, clean the wound to help prevent infection; get medical attention immediately. Take pictures and/or video of the wound. Write down everything that happened as soon as possible so that you don’t forget important details. If you know who the owner is, ask for proof of rabies vaccination. Report the bite to Washoe County Regional Animal Services or the appropriate agency for your Northern Nevada area.
Reporting dog bites is required by law. Include as much information as you know about the dog—such as the owner’s name and contact information, where the dog lives, what the dog looks like, where the bite happened and how it occurred and other details. If there were any eyewitnesses to the incident, get contact information. Finally, contact our dog bite attorneys to learn your legal options.
Dog bites can result in serious injuries that include broken skin, deep punctures, bruising, soft tissue damage, head, neck and facial wounds, nerve damage, crush injuries and even broken bones. If it cannot be proven that the dog was vaccinated for rabies, the victim will have to undergo a series of rabies vaccinations to avoid potentially contracting this fatal disease. Dog attacks can also result in severe emotional trauma for victims. After being bitten by a dog, a person may require extensive–and expensive–medical and psychological treatment.
How long it takes to get payment for your claim will depend on the circumstances. Generally, if there is strong evidence of dog owner liability, the insurance company may be more likely to offer a fair settlement and your case may conclude more quickly. It may take just a couple of months.
If the owner denies responsibility and there are more complexities involved in proving negligence and liability, it will typically take longer to reach a settlement. If a settlement is not offered or the offered settlement is inadequate to cover your damages, you may have to go to court to have a chance of getting compensation, which could take a year or more.
When you work with our responsive dog bite attorneys, we will do everything we can to build a strong case that resolves to your benefit as quickly as possible.
Dog bites cases typically fall under the area of civil law known as premises liability. This means that dog bite claims are usually paid for by the homeowners or renters’ insurance of dog owners. When we are able to prove liability for your dog bite claim, we will pursue maximum compensation for your injuries from the animal’s owner and their insurer. Call us today at (775) 322-6636 to learn more.
You are not required to hire a lawyer to try and get payment for your dog bite injuries. You can try to negotiate with the dog owner and their insurer yourself, but the insurer may simply claim that their policyholder is not liable.
Would you know what to do next if that occurs? Because most negligent dog owners will not easily cooperate when blamed for their dog’s biting someone, these cases can be very hard to prove. Having an experienced dog bite attorney advocate for your interests may greatly increase your chances of getting a settlement.
How much it costs to hire a dog bite attorney will depend on all the intricacies of your case. However, you will not have to pay anything up front when you hire our law firm. We work on a contingency agreement basis.
You pay us a previously agreed upon percentage of the insurance settlement or jury award we win for you. In the unusual circumstance that we do not win, you do not owe us anything in legal fees. Additionally, we provide free, no-obligation consultations with experienced dog bite attorneys.
If you are considering filing a dog bite claim, contact us at your earliest convenience. We will advise you of your rights and stand up for your interests.
Tips for Avoiding Dog Bites
If a loose, unfamiliar dog approaches you, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:
- Stay still and remain calm.
- Stand with the side of your body facing the dog.
- Say “go home,” or “no” using a firm, deep voice.
- Slowly raise your hands to your neck with your elbows in and wait for the dog to pass, or slowly back away.
- Do not make direct eye contact with the dog.
- Do not panic, run, or make loud noises.
Children are bitten by dogs more often than adults. Teach children these tips and also how to behave with any dog they encounter. They should never run at a dog. If someone is walking their dog, always ask the owner if it is okay to pet it before reaching out. Teach kids not to reach over fences to pet dogs that are in their own yards.
Children should not tease dogs by barking or growling at them. By learning how to appropriately behave around dogs, children stand a better chance of avoiding bites.
There is a Deadline for Filing Dog Bite Lawsuits
There is a two-year statute of limitations for filing dog bite lawsuits in Nevada. The clock begins running on the day you were bitten. If you do not file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you are likely to lose your chance to file.
However, if you have missed the deadline or are close to it, speak to one of our dog bite attorneys about your case. There are some exceptions to the statute and our lawyers can advise you whether your case may be an exception based on the circumstances. Don’t wait to get legal help when you have been bitten.
Get Help from Our Knowledgeable Dog Bite Attorneys
Standing Up for Victims of Serious Injuries Caused by Negligence
Dog bites are not only painful—they are very frightening. If you or your family member has been bitten by a dog and you want to learn how to hold the owner accountable, reach out to the dog bite attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law. We know what it takes to establish liability in dog bite cases and will take on the work of navigating the insurance system and the legal system for you.
Contact us today at (775) 322-6636 to arrange a free consultation with a Northern Nevada dog bite lawyer.
Attorney Patrick Leverty
With his master’s in insurance law, Patrick routinely helps individuals and businesses who are having issues with their insurance company. He also has extensive experience with personal injury actions, complex tort actions, product liability matters, and class actions. Patrick Leverty is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell (the highest rating) and has been granted membership in the Million Dollar Advocate Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum. Patrick Leverty has been certified as a Personal Injury Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada. [ Attorney Bio ]
