Belle Plaine Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

In cases of dog-related injuries, dog bite attorneys offer reliable advocacy for victims. Specializing in animal law, they navigate the complexities of liability and compensation to achieve justice and support for the injured.

When a Child Suffers PTSD After a Dog Bite Attack in Iowa

Your child's dog bite attack in Iowa can include life-long financial, physical, and emotional costs. You should contact your Iowa dog bite attorney to be compensated for your present and future expenses from your child's injuries and damages from a dog bite attack.

Injuries and Damage After a Dog Bite Attack in Iowa

A dog attack can result in:

- Torn clothing
- Bloody clothing
- Scratches
- Bruises
- Deep cuts
- Puncture wounds
- Loss of tissue
- Loss of limbs
- Broken bones
- Crushed bones
- Disfigurement

These physical injuries and damages can be devastating and extremely painful to your child. After your child's serious dog bite attack, you may rush your child to the hospital to get medical treatment. What you may not be aware of is that there's more than what meets the eye after your child's dog bite attack.

If your child suffers serious physical injuries from a dog bite attack, serious surgeries, medications, and therapy may be necessary in treating your child's injuries from his/her dog bite attack. These treatments can be costly and timely, considering you may have to miss work for your child's surgery and post-surgery care.

Emotional Distress After a Dog Bite Attack

Emotional distress may also play a role in your child's and family's life after a dog bite attack. Emotional distress may require medications and psychological therapy to calm your child from his or her persisting fears from a dog bite attack. It could also be disheartening for you and your family to see your child go through these treatments and suffer post effects of his/her dog bite attack, which could cause relationship problems and the ability to concentrate.

Physical and Emotional Effects of a Dog Bite

Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites in the United States. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day, there are close to 4.5 million dog bites in the United States, and about half of these bites involve children. The ages that receive the most dog bites are children between five and nine.

Children are much more susceptible to the damaging impact of a dog bite. Children’s skin is not as tough as an adult’s and are more likely to suffer broken bones from a dog bite attack.

Common Injuries from Dog Bites:

- Ripped scalp
- Torn ears
- Injuries to the mouth
- Eye injuries

Even when these injuries appear to have healed, they may leave behind long-term damage. For instance, a severed nerve can result in weak facial muscles that can give the face a ‘drooping’ look or impede facial expressions. Scarring is another long-term physical effect of a dog bite injury. Reconstructive surgery can help restore the appearance of the child to some extent, but some scarring may remain even after multiple surgeries.

While a child may learn to live with the physical effects of a dog bite, the emotional consequences can continue to trouble him or her for years to come. 

Emotional Reactions to Dog Bites:

- Separation anxiety, especially when separated from parents
- Excessive crying
- Withdrawal
- Disruptive behavior
- Sleep problems
- Irrational fears
- Nightmares
- Problems in school
- Complaints of medical ailments even when there are no physical symptoms
- Feelings of guilt
- Emotional numbing
- Depression
- Flashbacks
- Avoidance
- Lack of trust

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A major risk when a child suffers a dog bite is the development of a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder. The situation does not develop immediately after the bite. Rather, symptoms may emerge several weeks or months after the dog bite. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder involve a combination of the following:

- Jumpiness
- Frequent bouts of crying
- Anxiety
- Poor performance in school
- Lost interest in activities
- Concentration problems
- Nightmares

The physical, emotional or psychological effects of a dog bite, therefore, may continue to impact the child's self-esteem, confidence, and emotional growth. You may notice an effect on your kid’s ability to participate in school and activities, as well as social interactions. Therefore, the damages claimed after a dog bite attack in Belle Plaine must include both physical and emotional amounts.

Compensation for Dog Bite Attacks

- Emergency room and ambulance costs
- Long-term care, such as home-schooling if your child has PTSD
- Psychological counseling
- Follow-up surgeries

Aggressive Dog Breeds and Legal Implications

Some dogs have a reputation for being among the most aggressive and dangerous dog breeds. But in fact, any dog can attack and bite another person or another dog. Much depends on the dog’s training, the owner’s behavior, as well as the circumstances that lead to the bite or attack. According to insurance companies, the five dog breeds that are most often associated with dog bite injuries are:

- Presa Canario
- Doberman Pinscher
- Husky
- German Shepherd
- Rottweiler

But any dog can be made to be aggressive or might have aggressive tendencies. Belle Plaine declares pit bulls and “any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the [pit bull] breeds” as automatically vicious. This requires the dog owner to purchase homeowner’s insurance coverage with a minimum liability of $100,000.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim

Iowa has strict dog bite liability laws, meaning whether or not a dog is declared vicious and whether or not the dog has bitten before, the dog owner is liable for damages. So regardless of the dog that bit you, talk to an attorney about filing a dog bite claim against the owner. 

How to Protect Your Child and Your Claim

1. Seek treatment immediately: Go to the emergency room or your doctor.
2. Don’t rush to settle your claim: Be cautious of insurance companies offering quick settlements.
3. Don’t give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster: It can be used against you.
4. Documentation: Keep copies of medical bills, police reports, and document daily effects.
5. Never exaggerate your injuries: Accurate medical records are crucial.
6. Talk to an experienced injury attorney: They can defend your rights and protect you from getting shortchanged by an insurance company.

When to Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer

For the complete list of things you should do if bitten by a dog you can request our FREE book, "Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites- Secrets to Not Get Bitten by Your Case" which is available to you with no risk or obligation by clicking here or by calling 641-792-3595. 

Why offer a Free Dog Bite Book?  Since 1997, I have been representing injured Iowans, including many dog bite victims from central Iowa and throughout the state.  I have heard too many horror stories about people making costly mistakes, causing them to lose thousands of dollars.  Before you talk to the insurance company you should know your rights and perhaps more importantly your responsibilities.   

If you need immediate assistance, contact us online or call us at (641) 792-3595. If you are not local to us, we will come to you.