Dog Bite Injuries Are Serious
Over 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and nearly one in five bites requires medical attention. Dog bite injuries can be devastating — deep puncture wounds, torn tissue, broken bones, nerve damage, and severe infections. Children are the most common victims and suffer the most severe injuries, often to the face and neck.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations — requiring stitches, staples, or surgical closure
- Facial injuries — the most common in children, often requiring reconstructive surgery
- Infections — dog bites carry bacteria including Pasteurella, MRSA, and Capnocytophaga; rabies is rare but deadly
- Nerve damage — leading to numbness, tingling, or loss of function
- Broken bones — from the force of large dog bites, especially in hands and arms
- Scarring and disfigurement — permanent scarring that may require multiple surgeries
- Emotional trauma — PTSD, anxiety, fear of dogs, and behavioral changes in children
Nevada Dog Bite Liability
Nevada does not have a single dog bite statute. Instead, liability is determined through:
- Negligence — the owner failed to use reasonable care to control their dog
- Known dangerous propensity — the owner knew the dog had aggressive tendencies (prior bites, threatening behavior, breed-specific tendencies)
- Local ordinances — Clark County and Las Vegas have leash laws and dangerous dog ordinances that can establish liability
- Negligence per se — violating a leash law or other animal control ordinance can be automatic evidence of negligence
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Nevada law allows dog bite victims to recover:
- Medical expenses — emergency treatment, surgery, antibiotics, follow-up care, reconstructive surgery
- Future medical costs — scar revision surgery, physical therapy, counseling
- Lost wages — time missed from work during recovery
- Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional distress
- Disfigurement — permanent scarring, especially facial scars
- Emotional trauma — PTSD, anxiety, fear of animals, counseling costs
- Property damage — damaged clothing, personal items
Children and Dog Bites
Children under 10 are the most frequent dog bite victims, and they suffer disproportionately severe injuries — bites to the face, head, and neck. Children's claims can be especially valuable because:
- Facial scarring on a child may require multiple surgeries as they grow
- Emotional trauma can affect a child's development and behavior for years
- Future medical costs are typically higher due to growth and ongoing treatment needs
- A parent or guardian files the claim on the child's behalf, and the court oversees any settlement to protect the child's interests