Tiffin Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Dog bite injury attorneys become dependable allies for victims when a dog causes harm. They navigate the intricate legal landscape of animal-related cases, focusing on achieving justice and fair compensation for the injured.

Dog attacks can have devastating consequences, especially for children. The physical wounds may heal, but the emotional scars can last a lifetime. This article discusses the emotional injuries children may suffer following a dog attack, the potential diseases they could contract, and the challenges of pursuing a dog bite claim in Iowa.

Emotional Injuries in Children After a Dog Attack

After a child has been the victim of a dog attack in Iowa and received medical treatment, it’s crucial to monitor for symptoms of emotional injuries. These symptoms can manifest immediately or develop over time, including fear, withdrawal, depression, and anger. The emotional reactions can vary significantly based on the child's age.

Emotional Reactions by Age Group

- 5 Years Old and Younger: Children in this age group might experience fear of being away from their parents, crying, screaming, aimless motion, trembling, excessive clinging, bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, and fear of darkness.
- 6 to 11 Years Old: These children might show extreme withdrawal, inattentiveness, disruptive behavior, nightmares, irrational fears, outbursts of anger, fighting, refusal to attend school, depression, feelings of guilt, emotional numbing, and bodily symptoms without a medical basis.
- 12 to 17 Years Old: Older children and teenagers might suffer from nightmares, flashbacks, emotional numbing, substance abuse, depression, problems with peers, avoidance of reminders of the event, isolation, suicidal thoughts, physical complaints, sleep disturbances, confusion, and guilt for not preventing the attack.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Children can develop PTSD if their symptoms persist for more than a month. Signs of PTSD include:
- Re-experiencing the attack through nightmares, flashbacks, or events that resemble the attack.
- Avoiding reminders of the attack or generally lacking responsiveness.
- Sleep disturbances, concentration problems, or regressive behavior (e.g., bed-wetting, thumb-sucking).

Contracting Diseases from a Dog Bite

Dog bites can transmit several diseases, some of which are life-threatening. Rabies is the most well-known, but other serious infections can also occur. It's essential to understand these risks and seek immediate medical attention after a bite.

Possible Diseases from Dog Bites

- Rabies: A deadly disease affecting the central nervous system. Early symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pains. As it progresses, symptoms can include brain inflammation, seizures, paralysis, and coma.
- Staph Infection: Caused by staph bacteria entering the body through the bite wound, leading to pain, fever, and severe headache.
- Pasteurella Infection: This bacterium can cause pain, swelling, and joint infections.
- Tetanus: Affects the nervous system, causing muscle spasms and lockjaw. A tetanus shot is recommended for those who haven’t had a booster in the last 10 years.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, seek medical attention promptly. A personal injury lawyer in Dubuque can help you file a claim against the liable dog owner to cover:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering

Challenges to a Dog Bite Claim and How to Address Them

Dog bite claims can be complicated, with several challenges potentially arising from the dog owner. Here are some key considerations and how to address them.

Legal Liability

According to Iowa Code 351.28, dog owners are liable for damages if their dog attacks or attempts to bite someone, unless the victim was engaged in an unlawful act contributing to the injury. Defendants may argue that the victim’s unlawful actions caused the attack.

Trespassing

Dog owners may claim they are not liable if the victim was trespassing. However, the law only absolves the owner if the trespassing directly contributed to the attack.

Provocation

Dog owners often argue that the dog was provoked. Provocation can include actions like pulling the dog's tail or chasing it into a corner. However, definitions of provocation can vary, and an attorney can help determine whether this defense is valid in your case.

Rabies

Owners may not be liable if the dog had rabies and they were unaware of it. However, if you can prove negligence on the owner's part, such as leaving a gate open, they may still be held liable.

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.