Alta Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 27,000 people were the victims of dog attacks that resulted in reconstructive surgery in a single recent year, and roughly one in five people bitten by a dog requires medical attention. While some dog bites in Alta are minor, others result in broken bones, long-term physical and emotional trauma, and mounting medical bills. Below, we explain the long-term effects a dog attack can cause, how Iowa law allows you to recover compensation for broken bones from a dog bite, and how an attorney strengthens the value of your case.

Long-Term Dog Attack Effects for Alta Victims

While not all dog bites result in permanent injury, some dog attacks can result in physical disfigurement, mental and emotional trauma, and even infections or disease. If you have been the victim of a dog attack in Alta, a personal injury attorney can help you recover the damages to which you are entitled.

Physical Disfigurement

Some dog attacks can result in permanent scars, paralysis or partial paralysis, mobility problems, and amputation. In some cases, plastic or reconstructive surgery can remedy the disfigurement. However, certain types of physical disfigurement, such as paralysis, cannot always be corrected, and in those cases the victim must learn to cope with disfigurement and disability for the rest of their life.

Mental and Emotional Trauma

Mental and emotional effects of a dog attack can also be devastating. Some victims, including children, develop post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the VA National Center for PTSD, the effects of trauma on children and adolescents may include acting out the incident while playing, fear, worry, stress, and anger, feelings of loneliness, aggression, self-harm, abuse of alcohol or drugs, and impulsive behavior. A child attacked by a dog may also develop an attachment disorder characterized by crying, whimpering, or fear when separated from a parent, along with extreme withdrawal or disruptive behavior, nightmares, flashbacks, and depression. In adults, many of these same symptoms are common as well.

Infections and Disease

It is rare for a person to become infected with a dangerous or deadly disease after being attacked by a dog, but it does happen. While many of these infections and diseases are treatable, some can cause long-term damage or may even be deadly, such as rabies if left untreated. When wound infections are left untreated, they can spread to other parts of the body, causing disfigurement, sepsis, amputation, loss of function, and even death.

Recovering Compensation for Broken Bones From an Alta Dog Bite

When a dog attack occurs, the victim is at risk of sustaining a number of serious and debilitating injuries, including broken bones. If you have suffered fractures as a result of a dog attack, you may be able to recover compensation for medical care.

Types of Broken Bones From a Dog Attack

Depending on the severity of the attack, 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, hips, ribs, and even a skull fracture. Some broken bones, such as a skull fracture that affects the brain, may cause permanent impairment.

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 their dog causes to another person. The owner of a dog is liable to an injured party for all damages done by the dog when it is attacking or attempting to bite a person. One exception is if the victim is doing something unlawful at the time of the attack that directly contributes to the injury, such as trespassing. The law also does not apply to dogs suffering from rabies, unless the owner knew of the rabies and did not exercise reasonable care to prevent the attack.

Damages Available for Broken Bones From a Dog Bite

The dog bite liability standard applies to all damages, meaning a person who has suffered broken bones from a dog bite can recover for initial care and examinations, imaging procedures like X-rays, treatment, surgery, and medications. There is no cap on either economic or non-economic damages in the state of Iowa, meaning there is no limit on the amount of financial damages a victim can recover. In order to reclaim damages, a claim for benefits must be filed within two years of the attack, and if the claim is not filed within two years, a victim's right to benefits is forfeited. In addition to medical expenses, a victim may also be able to recover damages for lost wages, future lost wages, scars, disfigurement, and emotional suffering.

How an Attorney Strengthens the Value of Your Alta Dog Bite Case

When you have been injured by a dog, the insurance company's first offer rarely reflects the true value of your claim. Without proper legal representation, you could be leaving significant compensation on the table. Understanding how a qualified attorney can help maximize your settlement is crucial to protecting your financial recovery.

Uncovering the True Value of Your Claim

Most accident victims do not realize their case may be worth significantly more than what insurance adjusters initially propose. An attorney increases case value through strategic actions, such as obtaining doctors' reports and medical opinions when necessary to prove causation between your injuries and the dog attack. This documentation establishes a clear link that strengthens your claim and justifies your compensation. Your attorney also secures expert opinions on the cost of future medical care, since insurance adjusters often focus only on current medical bills while ignoring the long-term financial impact of your injuries.

Avoiding Mistakes That Cost You Compensation

Your attorney handles all communication with the insurance company, saving you time and protecting you from tactics designed to reduce your compensation. Insurance adjusters know the law and have been trained to pay you as little as possible. By serving as your intermediary, your attorney prevents you from making statements or accepting offers that could harm your case. An attorney also helps you avoid common mistakes that could cost you significant compensation, including giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters, accepting quick settlement offers before understanding the full extent of your injuries, missing important filing deadlines, or failing to properly document your damages. Because Iowa personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, all of these tasks are performed at no upfront risk to you.