Earlham Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

When dogs cause harm, dog bite injury lawyers are reliable allies. They specialize in the legal intricacies of animal attacks, ensuring victims receive proper management of liability and compensation for justice and support.

Recovering Damages and Liability after a Dog Bite in Iowa

Dog bites can result in severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens for victims. In Iowa, understanding the legal aspects of recovering damages after a dog bite is crucial for victims to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. 

Liability of Dog Owners under Iowa Law

According to Section 351.28 of the Iowa Code, dog owners are generally liable for damages caused by their dogs biting someone, regardless of the owner's negligence. However, exceptions exist, such as if the victim provoked the dog in a cruel manner or if the dog has rabies. An exception to this is if the owner knew that the dog had rabies and may have been able to prevent the injury through reasonable effort. Victims should be aware of their rights under Iowa law and seek legal guidance to navigate the complexities of dog bite cases.

Types of Dog Bite Compensation

In Iowa, victims of dog bites may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:

Medical Expenses: The cost of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred and those that are reasonably certain to be incurred in the future because of your injury are recoverable. These expenses include past (already-incurred) medical expenses and future medical expenses, which may result from the original injury or an increased susceptibility to future injury. All forms of care and treatment, whether hospital, medical, therapy, nursing, diagnostic testing, surgery, physical rehabilitation, or pain management, are included. You can recover the full value of your medical expenses from the responsible party even if your health insurer has paid all or part of your bills.

Lost Wages (Loss of Earnings): You are also entitled to recover your lost wages (a/k/a loss of earnings) caused by your injuries. Wages, commissions, bonuses, and all other earnings and fringe benefits are recoverable. You can recover the full value of your lost wages even if your employer or disability insurance has paid all or part of them.

Future Loss of Earnings: If your injuries permanently limit your ability to earn, you can recover the value of the reduction in earning capacity with a reasonable probability that will occur in the future. These damages compensate you for your lost earning power over the remainder of your working years.

Pain and Suffering: Ordinarily, the most “valuable” element of your bodily injury claim is the right to compensation for physical pain and mental anguish you have suffered and will endure in the future because of your injury. These general damages are in addition to and may be far more than the amount of your lost earnings and medical expenses.

Loss of Full Mind and Body: This part of your bodily injury claim is designed to reimburse you for any loss of function or use of your body or mind. These damages are in addition to your other damages described above.

Disfigurement: If the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks, you are entitled to recover for the disfigurement and humiliation or embarrassment associated with the disfigurement.

Damage To The Child or Marital Relationship: Serious injuries to a spouse or child may cause damage to the relationship. If this occurs, you are entitled to recover for the loss of society, affection, and assistance of your child or spouse.

Death: Damages for “wrongful death” are available to the beneficiaries (often the wife, husband, parent, or child) of the deceased person. Sometimes, persons related by blood or marriage, who were dependent upon the deceased, may also recover. Damages are not limited to economic loss and may include damages for loss of consortium which the law defines as loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, affection, and aid to the relationship, general usefulness, industry, and attention within the home and family. Damages are also available for the deceased’s lost accumulation of value to his/her Estate.

These compensations aim to cover the various impacts of dog bite injuries on the victim's life, ensuring they receive adequate support during their recovery.

The Effects of Dog Bite Disfigurement

When someone is disfigured from a dog bite – particularly if it affects the most visible areas of the body, such as the face, hands, and arms – the victim might feel embarrassment and avoid social situations. Disfigurement can cause victims to become self-conscious. The injured person might receive stares and frequently may field questions about their disfigurement. As such, victims might feel alienated and may experience varying degrees of social impairment.

In 2003, researchers at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England published a report in the journal Body Image explaining that people with disfigurements often have negative self-perceptions and difficulties with social interactions. This may “frequently involve spirals of negative emotions (e.g., social anxiety), maladaptive thought processes (e.g., fear of negative social evaluation), unfavorable self-perceptions (e.g., lowered self-esteem and unfavorable body image), and negative behavior patterns (e.g., excessive social avoidance).”

Treatments for Emotional Injuries Related to Dog Bite Disfigurement

Disfiguring injuries from a dog bite can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological and emotional disorders that require ongoing treatments. Treatments may include the following.

- Cognitive techniques
- Psychotherapy
- Psychosocial interventions
- Physiotherapy
- Speech therapy
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Counseling
- Lifestyle changes
- Medications

“Survivors of physically disfiguring trauma, regardless of the cause, have experienced a series of assaults on the mind as well as on the body that present extraordinary challenges to human resilience,” explains Patricia Blakeney, Ph.D., and Daniel Creson, M.D., Ph.D., in a 2002 report in The Journal of ERW and Mine Action. They later explain, “They must find new identities to fit new body images. Whether for young children or for adults, this process is complex and arduous.”

Long-term Effects and Treatment for Dog Bites in Iowa

Dog attacks can have lasting effects on victims, both physically and mentally. If you've been the victim of a dog bite in Iowa, it's crucial to understand the potential long-term effects and seek appropriate treatment.

Physical Disfigurement

Some dog bites result in permanent physical disfigurement, including:

- Permanent scars
- Paralysis or partial paralysis
- Mobility problems
- Amputation

Plastic or reconstructive surgery may be necessary to address these injuries, but certain conditions like paralysis may be irreversible, requiring victims to cope with lifelong disabilities.

Mental and Emotional Trauma

Dog attacks can cause significant mental and emotional trauma, particularly in children. Symptoms may include:

- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Acting out traumatic incidents
- Fear, stress, and anger
- Loneliness and aggression
- Self-harm or substance abuse

Children attacked by dogs may develop attachment disorders, while adults commonly experience PTSD symptoms. Counseling and therapy are essential for addressing these psychological injuries.

Infections and Disease

While rare, dog bites can transmit infections and diseases, such as rabies, which can be deadly if left untreated. Other complications may include:

- Sepsis
- Loss of function
- Death

Prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent and treat these complications effectively.

Treatment for Dog Bite Injuries

Treatment for deep dog bites often involves stitches or staples to close wounds. However, the appropriate treatment plan depends on the severity and location of the injury. Complications may include infection, scarring, and damage to underlying structures.

Aftercare instructions are essential for preventing complications, including keeping the wound clean, using prescribed medications, and receiving a tetanus shot if necessary.

Steps to Take After a Dog Attack

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, take these steps:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. Report the attack to local authorities.
3. Collect information from the dog owner, including rabies vaccination status.
4. Contact a personal injury attorney in Iowa for legal advice and representation.

Broken Bones from Dog Bites in Iowa: Recovering Compensation for Medical Care

Some dogs, without provocation, may attack an undeserving victim. When a dog attack occurs, the victim is at risk of sustaining a number of serious and debilitating injuries. One of the injuries a victim may sustain are broken bones from a dog bite. If you’ve suffered fractures as a result of a dog attack, you may be able to

 recover compensation for medical care. If you need help understanding your options or taking legal action, an attorney can help.

Types of Broken Bones from a Dog Attack

Depending upon the severity of the attack, the broken bones can range greatly. In some cases, multiple bones may be broken. Sometimes, a break may be minor and easy to correct, while other times a break can be severe and require surgery and rehabilitation. Bones that may be broken during a dog attack include bones in the legs, arms, face (broken nose, for example), hips, ribs, and even a skull fracture. Some broken bones, such as a skull fracture that affects the brain, may cause permanent impairment for the individual attacked.

Iowa Dog Bite Law Allows You to Recover Compensation

According to Iowa State Statute Section 351.28, a dog owner is almost always liable for any harm that his or her dog causes to another person. According to the law, “the owner of a dog shall be liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog…[if] the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person…”

One exception to this rule is if the victim is doing something unlawful at the time of the dog bite or attack that directly contributes to the injury. For example, the dog bite liability law may not protect a person who is trespassing on another’s property at the time of attack. Additionally, the law does not apply to dogs suffering from hydrophobia (rabies). The only time that a dog owner would be held liable for an attack by their rabid dog is in the case that the owner knew of the rabies, yet did not exercise the reasonable amount of care required to prevent the dog attack from occurring.

Damages Available Under Iowa Dog Bite Law

The dog bite liability standard mentioned above applies to all damages. This means that a person who has suffered from broken bones from a dog bite can recover all necessary damages for medical care:

- Initial care and examinations
- Imaging procedures like X-rays
- Treatment
- Surgery
- Medications

There is no cap on either economic or non-economic damages in the state of Iowa. This means that a person who has been attacked by a dog has no limit on the amount of financial damages he or she can recover. In order to reclaim damages, however, a claim for benefits must be filed within two years of the attack. If the claim is not filed within two years, a victim’s right to benefits is forfeited.

In addition to recovering economic damages for medical expenses, a victim of a dog bite attack may also be able to recover damages for the following:

- Lost wages
- Future lost wages
- Scars
- Disfigurement and emotional suffering (for those who have suffered from severe broken bone injuries, disfigurement and emotional damages may be recoverable)

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.