Decorah Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Dog bite injury attorneys become essential allies for victims when a dog causes harm. They navigate the legal intricacies of animal attacks, focusing on securing justice and fair compensation for the injured parties.

Can I Contract a Disease from a Dog Bite?

Yes, people who are bitten by a dog may contract diseases from the dog bite. Some of them can even be life-threatening. Rabies is the most well-known, but certain types of infections may become serious, too. Read on to find out which ones.

Possible Diseases from Dog Bites

Rabies: This is a disease that attacks the central nervous system and can result in death unless treated immediately. Symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, and muscle pains. As it progresses, the person can develop inflammation in the brain, suffer seizures, paralysis, and may even end up in a coma.

Staph Infection: Staph bacteria are not uncommon, and most people who carry the bacteria do not become infected. However, a dog attack or bite can puncture the tissue and allow the bacteria to enter deep into the body, causing infection. Symptoms may vary greatly, which is why medical attention is so important after any bite. Pain, fever, and severe headache are common symptoms.

Pasteurella Infection: Pasteurella multocida is another common bacterium that may cause infection after an animal or dog bite. It may cause pain and swelling in the area as well as joint infections.

Tetanus: This is an infection that affects the nervous system. It may cause muscle spasms and contractions such as in the jaw, e.g., lockjaw. Those who haven’t had a tetanus booster within a certain timeframe – many recommend every 10 years – like recent dog bite victims, may be encouraged by their doctors to get a tetanus shot.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, see your doctor as soon as possible. When someone has been seriously or fatally injured after a dog bite, compensation may be available to cover damages.

A claim filed with help from a personal injury lawyer in Decorah against a liable dog owner can address damages such as:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering

A Closer Look at Dog Bite Laws in Iowa

While the idea of dogs being man's best friend sounds nice, the reality is that a dog can turn on a human at any time. This can lead to severe, even life-threatening injuries. When you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, you will want to get an understanding of the dog bite laws in Iowa.

An Iowa dog bite lawyer can provide you with the most recent, up-to-date information on dog bite laws in Iowa in general and the county or city where it occurred in particular. A lawyer can also assist you with filing a claim should you decide to pursue one after being attacked or bitten by a dog.

An Overview of Dog Bite Laws in Iowa

The state of Iowa has a statute that imposes liability for injuries or damages that are caused by an owner's dog. Liability for a dog bite will rest with the owner in most cases. Since each situation is unique, it is always best to first consult with an Iowa dog bite lawyer.

According to Statute 351.28, Iowa dog bite law states the owner of the dog who causes injury to a person will be liable for all damages related to the incident.

This means damages may extend beyond the actual injuries caused by the dog that is biting or attacking a person. One example of this is if a person is attempting to escape a dog attack and runs into the street getting struck by a car. Under the Iowa dog bite law, the victim can make a claim for the additional injuries after being struck by the car.

Or if a person was riding a bicycle and a dog began to chase in an attempt to attack or bite, if that person is then thrown from the bike and injured, the victim could make a claim for liability underdog bites laws in Iowa.

Rabies Symptoms in Dogs and Stray Animals

Rabies is a deadly virus that can spread to humans from the saliva of infected animals. If an animal is acting unwell, you should stay away from the animal and call your local animal control to investigate the situation.

Symptoms of rabies include:
- Aggression
- Biting
- Dazed look and confused behavior
- Refusing water
- Foaming at the mouth

There are many aspects to dog bite laws that can be confusing. If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, contact our office for a no-cost case evaluation. 

How Trespassing Affects Liability in Dog Attack Injury Cases

Generally, unless a dog attack victim is engaged in "unlawful conduct," the owner is responsible for controlling the dog and liable for any injuries via a dog bite claim. Iowa law states:

"The owner of a dog shall be liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog, when…the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person, except when the party damaged is doing an unlawful act, directly contributing to the injury" (Iowa Code Sec. 351.28).

If someone trespasses on a dog owner’s property, the property owner may not be liable for a dog bite or attack.

Trespassing and Dog Owner Liability

Trespassing is an unlawful act, so if a bite victim was trespassing, he or she cannot go after the dog owner for damages related to injuries. What counts as trespassing is a difficult question, however, and has many gray areas.

Under Iowa law, trespassing happens either when someone enters a property without justification after receiving notice not to enter the property, or when the person enters without the owner's permission.

Unless property is behind a locked gate or contains a sign discouraging visitors, there may be an implied invitation to members of the public to enter for common errands like selling door-to-door or asking for directions, for example.

Per Iowa Code Section 716.7(3), the general public also has the right to retrieve any personal property that enters someone else's property as long as they don't linger and take a direct route to the lost property. For example, a child has a legal right to enter someone's yard to retrieve a stray ball.

When are Dog Owners Liable or Not Liable for a Bite?

Because of Iowa's strict liability system, dog owners may be liable for dog bites under many circumstances. A dog owner may argue, though, that the person was trespassing, in which case the bite victim may have to prove he or she was not trespassing. For example, a bite victim may argue he or she approached a house with no fence and no signs discouraging trespassing, knocked on someone’s door for directions, and was attacked by the dog when the homeowner opened the door.

If a bite victim assaults, beats, or harms the dog owner in some way, they cannot claim the dog owner is liable for the injuries, however. Assaults can include yelling and other threatening behavior. Robberies and other situations that excite a dog and prompt it to bite also may not warrant liability for the dog owner.

Discuss your particular case with an attorney, as the details of these cases can vary from one incident to the next.

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.