If you or a family member suffered a dog bite in Iowa, a Des Moines dog bite lawyer can provide legal representation to help you seek full compensation for your injuries. Call us for a free legal consultation with a Des Moines personal injury lawyer.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Des Moines Dog Bite Incident?
What Are Iowa Dog Bite Laws?
By Iowa Code Section 351.28, Iowa is a strict liability state. A dog’s owner (the person to whom the dog legally belongs) is liable for property damage, death, or injuries caused by their dog. You’ll need to prove that the bite occurred, you suffered injuries, and it led to losses. It’s important to note that this strict liability doesn’t apply if the injured party was engaged in an unlawful act directly contributing to the injury. This Iowa law only applies to dogs; other domestic animals are subject to separate laws.
In Iowa, another exception to the strict liability rule is for rabid dogs (hydrophobia). If a dog is rabid, the owner is not strictly liable and is only legally responsible if there was reason to believe the animal’s owner knew the dog was infected and did not make a reasonable effort to prevent the serious injury.
The amount of time you have to pursue a dog bite claim is generally two years under Iowa Code Section 614.1(2). There are some exceptions, so it’s important to discuss the details of your case with an experienced dog bite lawyer.
How Serious Is the Problem?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association dog bite statistics, there are 88 million dogs in the United States, and 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year; children are often dog bite victims and suffer severe injuries.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Bitten by a Dog in Des Moines?
If you or a loved one has suffered dog bite injuries in Des Moines, it is important to:
- Seek medical attention promptly. Dog bites, even if minor, can become infected.
- Report the dog bite incident to animal disease control authorities and keep the official animal control record.
- Collect contact details from the dog owner and any witnesses.
- Contact a Des Moines dog bite attorney to discuss legal action to recover damages.
Common Injuries Suffered in a Des Moines Dog Attack
Get immediate medical attention following an attack from someone else’s dog. Common injuries include puncture wounds, facial injuries, lacerations, cuts, broken bones, nerve damage, rabies infection, and emotional trauma.
How Can a Dog Bite Injury Attorney Help?
Because dog bite laws are complex, it’s important to know your rights and how to hold a dog’s owner responsible under Iowa liability laws. The legal team in our Des Moines law firm can gather evidence to hold the appropriate party responsible, negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. If necessary, we can take your personal injury lawsuit to court.
What Compensation Can Des Moines Dog Bite Victims Receive?
In Des Moines, IA, a dog bite accident victim may be entitled to fair compensation for physical injuries as well as pain and suffering, even if the victim provoked the attack. This may include:
- Medical costs for current and future medical care—medical bills for hospital visits, surgeries, and physical therapy
- Lost income—lost wages when the victim misses work
- Pain and suffering—physical and emotional distress like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- And more
How Much Is My Des Moines Dog Bite Claim Worth?
Our Iowa dog bite attorneys assess the value of a Des Moines dog bite case, taking into account the facts of the case. Factors can include the severity of the injuries, amount of medical expenses, lost wages during recovery, amount of insurance coverage available, the impact on the victim’s quality of life, and the degree of negligence on the part of the dog’s owner.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, Today
The dog bite injury lawyers in our personal injury law firm have comprehensive knowledge of dog bite law. We have a proven track record of helping dog bite victims manage insurance claims to seek compensation they deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Our legal team offers free consultations for victims with animal attack injuries, giving prospective clients a meeting with a personal injury lawyer who will review their personal injury case, explain Iowa’s legal process, discuss their legal options to pursue compensation, and answer their questions.
(312) 223-1700