If you ask any dog owner or lover, they will tell you that dogs are their best friend, and we can’t blame them since these wonderful animals in most cases are extremely devoted, caring, and affectionate.
But unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that you cannot stumble upon the ones that are aggressive for a variety of different reasons. And sadly, sometimes, these dogs can bite causing severe (potentially life-threatening) injuries to others.
Now, you are probably wondering what can be done (in terms of legal actions) if a dog attacks somebody. If you would like to know more about your rights, then take a look at our extensive guide below because we’re about to provide you with some useful information.
Let’s First Cover The “One Bite” Rule
In some states, dog owners are not instantly responsible for the dog bite, especially if their fur buddy has never done it before. On the other hand, if once something like this occurs, this dog is going to be perceived as vicious, and dangerous.
In most instances, (of course, this also depends on the state you reside in) this animal must be reported to the Animal Control Officer or the local Health Officer. This rule doesn’t refer to the dog owner only but to the hurt person too.
Once this dog is taken to Animal Control, it’s going to be held there for approximately ten days, so they can determine if the animal has rabies or not.
Is It Necessary To Have A Lawyer In These Instances?
If you ask us, the answer is yes, especially if you need to cover serious medical costs intended for your recovery (medications, different treatments, surgeries, etc.). Now, if you’re not sure where you can find a good one, we’ve heard from various people that Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, boasts spectacular attorneys. Therefore, be sure to find an experienced and adroit Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyer who is going to ensure you recover the necessary compensation. That’s something you won’t be able to do without the proper legal support.
We assume you probably want to know when you’re supposed to file a lawsuit in court. This also depends on the place you live in. For example, if you live in the state of Nevada, you have up to two years to file a lawsuit.
On the flip side, if by any chance, you reside in Kentucky, you have up to one year to do so. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, then you will most likely lose the right to bring this case to court.
As stated, all these rules (concerning bringing a lawsuit) vary, depending on the state. But that’s precisely why it’s of huge importance to consult an advocate to see when you’re supposed to take legal action.
Different Liabilities In Dog-Related Incidents
- Owner’s Liability – In most states, the owner is the one who is responsible for the dog’s attack. For instance, if their pet attacked a person without being provoked, then the owner is the one who must cover medical costs, and is responsible for the pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other things that are related to this incident.
- Landlord Responsibility – In some instances, landlords can be held responsible for the attack of their pet, if the attack occurred on their property. This is particularly the case if the animal is known to be dangerous.
- The Negligence Of The Owner – If the owner is perceived as negligent due to the fact that he/she didn’t put a leash on their dog, which led to the attack, then you’ll most certainly have a very strong case against this person.
- Defenses For Dog Owners – In these instances, the dog owner is not responsible for the attack. Defenses that could be raised by the owners usually involve provocation (the victim is the one who provoked the dog), assumption of risk (if the victim was familiar with the dog’s temper and still tried to interact with it), and trespassing (if the victim entered the owner’s property uninvited).
What To Do If A Dog Bites You?
If a dog attacks you, there are several steps that need to be taken, and they include the following:
- Find the owner and let him/her know what happened
- Contact either animal control officers or the police
- Seek medical help as soon as possible
- Be sure to keep all receipts, and bills from the expenses that are related to your injury.
Dog attacks can take a serious toll on somebody, not to mention the financial aspect of it (concerning medical costs, lost wages, and many other things). Consequently, it’s always a good idea to be familiar with the aftermath, which is the main reason why we created this article today.
