As May’s sunny, warm weather approaches and schools go out of session for the summer, the number of people and their dogs out-and-about is sure to increase with more people walking their dogs and taking them out to the parks to play with others. This summer time fun can result in a trip to the ER as the result of a dog bite if you aren’t careful around strange animals though.

Getting a Settlement After a Dog Bite

Did you know that every year, there are around 350,000 emergency room visits that are the result of dog bites? And according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, that is only a fifth of the number of dog bites that are reported because 1 in every 5 dog bites requires medical treatment.

Dog bites can be a very serious medical issue and cause a lot of pain and potential infections that result in medical bills and time off work. Because of this, insurance companies paid out over $675 Million in personal injury claims in 2018 due to dog bite related injuries according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Dog Bite Laws in Nevada

Regardless of whether you were bitten or it was your pet who bit someone else. It is important to know the laws in your state regarding the liabilities that pet owners take on. In Nevada, there are no explicit dog bite laws that would protect the owner of an aggressive animal such as three-strike rule (or “one-bite” in this case), so owners are liable to be sued by the victim for personal injury. If the incident happens on the owner’s property, premise liability would also come into play.

Dog Bite Prevention

Nobody wants to be the victim of a dog attack and likewise nobody wants their pet to bite anyone at all, so here are some tips on how to stay safe around strange dogs that you may come across in public:

• Socialization - Making sure that your dog is accustomed to being around other dogs and people is a great way to ensure that they do not get nervous or territorial so that they do not feel threatened to bite
• Responsible Ownership - Proper training, spaying/neutering your pet, and knowing when to keep your pet on a leash will reduce the chances of them becoming aggressive
• Avoid Risky Situations - Knowing how to recognize a potentially risky situation and having the sense to not escalate the situation will come in handy. To know whether or not you should approach a dog pay attention to details such as: is the owner near their dog or is it alone? is the dog growling or barking? and is the dog playing with a toy or bone?

Dog Bite Consultation

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Eric Blank Injury Attorneys to set up a consultation regarding you case today to get the settlement that you deserve. Get a free case review and consultation today.

Get a free case review and consultation today!