Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer
Nevada has no automatic dog bite liability. We prove the owner’s negligence (no leash, a broken fence, past aggression) and pursue their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for your scarring and medical bills. You pay nothing unless we win.
Nevada has no dog bite statute, so a bite alone doesn’t make the owner liable. To win a dog bite claim in Las Vegas, you have to prove the owner was negligent in one of three ways: they knew the dog was dangerous, they broke a leash law, or they failed to control the dog. One is enough.
| How You Prove It | What It Looks Like | Evidence That Proves It |
|---|---|---|
| The owner knew the dog was dangerous | Prior bites, lunging at neighbors, past complaints, a “Beware of Dog” sign, or a dog already declared dangerous or vicious under NRS 202.500 | Animal control records, neighbor statements, HOA or landlord notices, prior incident reports |
| The owner broke a leash law | Dog off-leash or running loose in a park, sidewalk, or apartment complex in Las Vegas or Clark County | Animal control report, witness statements, doorbell or security video |
| The owner failed to control the dog | Broken gate or fence, an open front door, or a dog left with someone who couldn’t handle it | Photos of the fence or gate, repair history, timeline of the attack |
Report the bite to animal control right away. The report creates an official record of the dog and the owner. That record is often the first proof that the owner knew, or should have known, the dog was dangerous.
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The owner is usually responsible, but not always alone. Anyone who had control of the dog, or the power to remove a dangerous one, can share liability under Nevada law.
The owner is the main defendant in most dog bite claims. Their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance usually covers the bite, scarring, and medical bills.
A landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and could have required its removal under the lease can be liable. This comes up often at Las Vegas apartment complexes.
Whoever was in control of the dog when it attacked can be responsible. That includes paid walkers, pet sitters, groomers, and boarding facilities.
An HOA that ignored complaints about an aggressive dog in a common area, or a business that let a known aggressive dog stay on site, may share the blame.
Animal attack claims aren’t limited to dogs. Owners of exotic animals, horses, and other livestock kept near homes must contain them. An escape that leads to an attack or kick can support an injury claim.
More than one party can be liable. When the owner and a landlord, walker, or HOA all share fault, more than one insurance policy may be available to cover your injuries.
The owner’s insurance company starts building its defense the day you report the bite. These are the five arguments adjusters use most to deny or shrink a Las Vegas dog bite claim, and how we answer each one.
Adjusters claim you reached for, startled, or teased the dog, to shift fault onto you. Under Nevada’s comparative negligence law (NRS 41.141), you can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Witness statements and video often show the dog attacked first.
Insurers argue you had no right to be on the property. Being on someone’s property without permission doesn’t automatically bar a claim. Delivery drivers, mail carriers, guests, and children often have every right to be there.
This is the most common denial in Nevada. We dig for neighbor complaints, animal control records, and HOA notices. A leash law violation or a broken gate can prove negligence even with no prior bites.
Early offers ignore scarring. Scars can take a year or more to fully mature, and facial scars on children may need revision surgery as they grow. Settling before a plastic surgeon weighs in can leave money on the table.
Adjusters ask friendly questions to get you to say you reached for the dog or weren’t badly hurt. You don’t owe the owner’s insurer a recorded statement. Let your lawyer handle the call.
“I spent years defending insurance claims, so I know their first question in a dog bite case: did the owner know the dog was dangerous? We build that answer before they ask.
Adjusters also treat a bite like a few stitches. Scars take time to show what they’ll become, especially on a child’s face. So we don’t let anyone settle before a doctor weighs in.
You focus on healing. Proving it is our job.”
A dog bite lawyer proves liability by tying the dog, the owner, and the owner’s negligence together before the evidence disappears. Doorbell video gets overwritten, witnesses move, and owners rehome dogs. That’s why the first week matters most.
| When | What we gather | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| First 24–48 hours | ER or urgent care records, photos of every wound, the owner’s name and address, the dog’s description, witness contacts, and a report to animal control. | Fresh wounds and fresh memories are the strongest proof you’ll ever have. |
| First week | A copy of the animal control report, bite quarantine and rabies vaccination records, and a demand to preserve doorbell, HOA, and neighbor security video. | Most home cameras overwrite footage within days. |
| Investigation | Prior bite reports, neighbor and HOA complaints, any dangerous or vicious dog designation under NRS 202.500, leash law citations, and landlord or lease records. | Shows the owner knew, broke a leash law, or failed to control the dog. |
| As you heal | Scar photos over time, plastic surgeon evaluation, and counseling records, especially for children. | Shows the full cost of scarring and trauma before any settlement. |
In most cases, no. A Las Vegas dog bite claim is usually paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, not out of your neighbor's, friend's, or family member's pocket. Many claims settle with the insurer without anyone going to court.
Most homeowner's and renter's policies include liability coverage for dog bites. The claim goes to the insurance company, and the insurer pays for medical bills, scarring, and pain and suffering up to the policy limit.
Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a prior bite, and every policy has a limit. When that happens, we look for other coverage, like an umbrella policy or the landlord's insurance, before anything else is on the table.
You may still have options. A landlord, HOA, or dog walker who shares fault may carry their own coverage. If no policy applies, a claim can go against the owner directly, though collecting is harder, so it pays to check early.
After a dog bite, get medical care, report the bite to animal control, and identify the dog and its owner before anyone forgets. These six steps protect your health and your claim.
Dog bites infect easily, even small ones. See a doctor the same day and say it was a dog bite, so the record ties your injury to the attack.
Report the bite to animal control in Las Vegas or Clark County, depending on where it happened. The report creates an official record of the dog and owner.
Get the owner's name, address, and phone number, plus the dog's description and rabies vaccination status. If the owner rents, note the property or complex name.
Photograph every wound now and as it heals. Capture the scene too: a missing leash, an open gate, or a broken fence can prove your case.
Get names and numbers for anyone who saw the attack. Ask neighbors about doorbell cameras quickly, before the footage is overwritten.
Decline recorded statements from the owner's insurer and don't sign a release or accept a check until a lawyer has reviewed it.
Most Nevada dog bite claims must be filed within two years of the bite under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Different timing rules can apply when the victim is a child, and video and witnesses can disappear in days. Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers can request animal control records and ask that video be preserved the day you call.
Yes. Nevada has no dog bite statute, so dog bite claims are based on negligence. You must show the owner knew the dog was dangerous, broke a leash law, or failed to control the dog.
Not as a strict rule. Proof that the owner knew the dog was dangerous is one way to win, but a leash law violation or a failure to control the dog can prove negligence even if the dog never bit anyone before.
In most cases, the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance pays, not the owner personally. A landlord's, HOA's, or dog walker's policy may also apply when they share the fault.
Yes. The claim is made against their insurance policy, not against them personally, and many dog bite claims settle with the insurer without a lawsuit.
You have two years from the date of the bite in most cases, under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Different timing rules can apply to children, so talk to a lawyer early rather than waiting on the deadline.
Get medical care and photograph every wound, especially on the face. A child's claim can include future scar revision surgery and counseling, and a settlement for a minor in Nevada usually needs court approval.
You may have a claim, but it is against a government agency. Nevada caps damages against government entities under NRS 41.035, and these cases follow different rules, so call a lawyer early.
Nothing up front. Howard Injury Law works on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you, and the case review is free.
Tell us what happened and we'll find out who is liable and what coverage applies. The case review is free.
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I had a great experience with Howard Injury Law. Anytime I had questions, they were always there with an answer ready to help. They were super attentive towards me. I'm very grateful I went to them after my car accident.
Car AccidentHighly recommend. I worked with James and Vanessa. They both are very nice and patient if or when you have a million and one questions. They make sure you are updated and not wondering where you stand.
Personal InjuryI can't say enough great things about Howard Injury Law. From start to finish, Glenn Howard and his amazing team James and Natalie were there every step of the way. They made a stressful situation feel manageable ... read more
Injury CaseI would like to thank Glen Howard and James for taking such great care of me during my case. They're knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely caring. My family and I are truly grateful for the outcome they achieved.
Injury CaseThis team was amazing. They took care of everything I needed with my personal injury and made it so easy for me. I never felt alone during the process. I would highly recommend Howard Injury Law to anyone.
Personal InjuryI had a really bad accident in March 2023 and was referred to this amazing team. This being a new experience, Howard Injury Law walked me through every single step. They truly fought for me and got me more than I expected.
Car AccidentFounding attorney Glen Howard has spent his career standing beside injured Las Vegas residents and visitors after a serious accident or attack turned their lives upside down — and that's shaped the compassion he brings to every case. He and his team understand that a serious dog bite or animal attack isn't a case file; it's a life-changing event for you and the people who love you, and it's treated that way here. He has recovered more than $80 million for injury victims and their families, and you'll work directly with Glen and a dedicated case manager who handle you with care and respect — not a rotating cast of paralegals.
Read Glen's full storyYou never expected to be here. No one is supposed to know how to fight an insurance company, preserve evidence, or navigate Nevada injury law while recovering from a dog bite or animal attack.
That's what we do.
Howard Injury Law is available 24/7. The consultation is free and confidential. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. And because Nevada sets a deadline to act, reaching out sooner keeps more of your options open. However you found us — searching for a dog bite lawyer in Las Vegas, or referred by someone who trusted us with their case — we're ready when you are, and there's no pressure to decide anything today.
If you're unsure what to do after an accident — or want to help protect the people you love — HIL Helps is our free 24/7 community resource, open to everyone, not just clients.
Howard Injury Law
6330 Spring Mountain Rd Ste D, Las Vegas, NV 89146