Dogs can be wonderful companions. But these friendly pets can become aggressive and cause serious personal injuries and infections. If you have been hurt by another person’s dog, you may be in a position to file a premises liability lawsuit against the dog’s owner. This way, you can potentially recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered as a result of your harm.
However, there is more to a dog bite lawsuit than simply claiming that someone’s dog attacked and hurt you. If you provoked the animal, and the court determines that your provocation amounts to 50 percent of fault or more, you will likely receive nothing.
Understanding provocation
Generally, when a dog feels threatened or cornered, it will either fight or flee. If there is room to take off, it likely will. If it feels caged, however, it will snarl; and you should consider this a warning shot. If the threat persists, you can expect the animal to bite you.
Any action that prompts a dog to change behavior and become aggressive is considered provocative. Some of the behaviors that will be considered provocative include:
- Hitting or startling the dog
- Stepping on the dog’s tail
- Pulling the dog by its tail, fur or limbs
- Trapping the animal
- Taking the animal’s food away
If you are attacked by someone’s dog, it’s important that you take certain steps to safeguard your legal rights. First, you need to seek treatment as soon as possible. Next, you’ll need to file your premises liability claim within the statute of limitations period. And in Nevada, you have two years from the date of the bite to file your claim.
Protecting your rights
A dog bite lawsuit, like any other legal matter, can be complicated, especially if you played a role in the attack. Seeking legal guidance to learn more about Nevada personal injury laws can help you safeguard your rights while pursuing compensation.