In 2019 our firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 15 year old who was bitten on the wrist by a capuchin monkey at Casa de Shenandoah, the Las Vegas estate of entertainer Wayne Newton. The suit asked for damages above $15,000, the amount that puts a case in Nevada district court. Rolling Stone covered the story.
The setting and the animal drew the attention. The legal questions underneath are common, and they matter to anyone hurt by someone else's animal.
When an animal hurts someone
Nevada law can hold the person who keeps or controls an animal responsible when it injures someone. The rules depend on the kind of animal and the circumstances. A wild or exotic animal is treated differently from a family dog. Where the animal was kept, whether it was restrained, and whether the owner knew it could be dangerous all matter.
If you or your child was bitten
Get medical care right away. Animal bites carry a real risk of infection, and some need a series of treatments. Report the bite to local animal control so there is an official record. Take photos of the injury and the scene, and get the owner's name and contact information along with any witnesses.
Then talk to a lawyer before you speak with an insurance company. Claims for children follow special rules, so it is worth getting advice early. You can read more about how we handle dog bite and animal attack cases.
This post is general information and not legal advice.