2026 Nevada Revised StatutesChapter 41 – Actions And Proceedings In Particular Cases Concerning PersonsNRS 41.135 Limitation on liability of victims of certain crimes for injury or damage sustained by offender.

Statutory Text

A person who is convicted of committing or attempting to commit:

1.  A felony;

2.  An act that would have been a felony if committed by an adult; or

3.  A misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor that constitutes domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018,

Ê may not bring an action against the victim or the estate of the victim for injuries sustained by the offender or damage to property of the offender that occurred during the course of the crime or delinquent act.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 968; A 1989, 1453; 1997, 2, 1811)

NV Rev Stat § 41.135 – Last Verified February 2026

Plain English Explanation

In Nevada, if someone commits a crime and gets injured in the process, they generally cannot turn around and sue the person they were victimizing. That is the core idea behind NRS 41.135.

The law specifically covers people who are convicted of a felony, or who attempted to commit one. It also applies to juveniles who commit an act that would be considered a felony if they were an adult. On top of that, the law extends to misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors that qualify as domestic violence under Nevada law.

So what does this actually mean in practice? Say someone breaks into a home and the homeowner defends themselves, injuring the intruder in the process. Under this statute, the burglar cannot file a lawsuit against the homeowner for those injuries. The same logic applies to property damage. If the offender’s property gets damaged during the course of the crime they were committing, they have no legal ground to sue the victim over it.

The law even protects the estate of a victim, meaning that if the victim has passed away, the criminal still cannot bring a lawsuit against their estate.

This protection exists because Nevada decided that people who choose to commit crimes should not be rewarded with the ability to drag their victims into civil court. It creates a legal shield for victims so they are not punished twice, once by the crime itself and again through costly litigation brought by the very person who wronged them.

Frequently Asked Questions About NRS 41.135

Can a burglar sue a homeowner for injuries sustained during a break-in?

No. If a person is convicted of burglary, which is a felony in Nevada, they cannot sue the homeowner for any injuries they received while committing that crime. The law is designed to prevent offenders from using the court system against the very people they were targeting.

Does this law apply to juveniles?

Yes it does. If a minor commits an act that would be classified as a felony had they been an adult, they fall under the same restrictions. A young offender cannot sue a victim just because they are under 18.

What if the victim has already passed away? Can the offender sue their family or estate?

No. The law specifically protects the victim’s estate as well. Even if the victim is no longer alive, a convicted offender has no legal right to bring a lawsuit against whatever the victim left behind.

Does this law cover domestic violence situations?

Yes. The statute extends beyond felonies and also covers misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors that qualify as domestic violence under Nevada law. So if someone is convicted of a domestic violence offense, they cannot sue the person they victimized for injuries or property damage tied to that incident.

Does the offender have to be convicted for this law to apply?

Yes, a conviction is required. The law specifically uses the word “convicted,” which means that if charges are dropped or the person is found not guilty, this particular statute would not automatically bar a civil lawsuit. The protection kicks in once there is an actual criminal conviction in place.

If you or someone you love has been victimized by a crime and now faces the added stress of a civil lawsuit brought by the offender, you do not have to face that fight alone. Reach out today and let an experienced injury lawyer protect your rights and make sure the law works for you, not against you.