
Experiencing a dog bite can be both a physically and emotionally traumatic event. In Nevada, victims of dog bites have the right to seek compensation for their injuries through a legal process.
While you have two years to file a complaint for a dog bite, it’s important to remember that time passes quickly, and you can lose your right to take legal action or have a weaker case if you wait too long. Speak with a dog bite attorney in Reno immediately if you’ve suffered injuries.
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in Nevada, it’s essential to understand the steps and timeline involved in filing a dog bite lawsuit.
Below are key stages of the complaint as well as insights into what you can expect throughout the process.
Again, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury. This means that you have two years from the day you were bitten to file your case in court. Missing this deadline could result in forfeiting your right to seek compensation, so it’s essential to act quickly.
Following a dog bite, your first priority is to seek medical attention. Be sure to document all treatments and any costs incurred, as these recordings are crucial when filing your lawsuit.
Additionally, you’ll need to gather information about the dog owner, including their name, address, and contact details. If there are any witnesses to the incident, make sure to collect their information as well.
Take pictures of your injuries as soon as possible. Record, in a diary, any impact the injury or injuries have had on you emotionally and in your daily life.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is advisable in navigating the complex process of filing a dog bite lawsuit. They will help you understand your rights, evaluate your case’s merits, and guide you through each step of the legal process.
Your attorney will continue to investigate your claim by gathering evidence that supports your case. They will collect medical records, witness statements, photographs of injuries, and may even employ accident reconstruction experts or animal behavioral specialists, if necessary.
Once sufficient evidence has been gathered, your attorney will file a formal complaint with the court on your behalf. This document outlines your legal claims, the dog owner’s alleged negligence, and the damages you’re seeking. After filing, the defendant (dog owner) will be served with the complaint and summons, notifying them of the lawsuit.
During the discovery phase, both parties exchange information and evidence pertaining to the case according to civil procedure rules. This typically includes interrogatories (written questions), requests for documents, and depositions (sworn testimony). The length of the discovery process varies depending on the complications of your case but may last several months.
In many instances, both parties will engage in settlement negotiations before proceeding to trial. If a fair settlement is reached, the lawsuit process ends there. However, if a satisfactory agreement isn’t made, your case will proceed to trial, where both parties present their arguments before a judge or jury who will determine the outcome of the case.
With an experienced attorney by your side, you can navigate the legal waters confidently and successfully. If you want to pursue compensation for injuries sustained from a dog bite, you should contact an attorney immediately. In Nevada, call the law firm of Kidwell & Gallagher to schedule a consultation. You won’t owe anything unless your lawyer wins your claim.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.