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- Anamosa Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
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A dog bite can happen in an instant, but the consequences can last far longer than the wound itself. Whether you were attacked while walking through a neighborhood, working as a delivery driver, or visiting someone's home, the physical, emotional, and financial impact of a dog attack in Iowa can be substantial. Understanding the law, knowing what steps to take immediately after a bite, and recognizing the long-term effects these attacks can cause are all critical to protecting your health and your legal rights.
The attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair have been representing dog bite victims in Iowa since 1997. They have seen too many injured Iowans make costly mistakes, losing thousands of dollars by not knowing their rights before speaking with an insurance company. This guide pulls together the essential information every dog bite victim in the Anamosa area needs to understand before taking action.
Iowa's Strict Liability Law and What It Means for Dog Bite Victims
Iowa is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that dog owners are legally responsible for any injuries their dog causes, as long as the injured person was not breaking the law, such as by trespassing, at the time of the attack. There is no requirement to prove that the dog had bitten someone before or that the owner had any prior warning their animal was dangerous. If the dog bit you while you were lawfully on someone's property or in a public space, the owner is liable.
This strict liability standard is an important protection for victims, but it does not mean that recovering compensation is automatic or simple. Dog owners and their insurance companies will still look for ways to minimize or deny a claim. Knowing the law is only part of what it takes to protect your interests after an attack.
Iowa's Rabies Vaccination Law and Why It Matters After a Bite
One of the first things investigators will verify after a dog attack is whether the animal is current on its rabies vaccination. This matters for a direct medical reason. Rabies is almost always fatal if left untreated. In the early 1900s, over 100 people a year in the United States died as a result of rabies infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the 1990s, improved vaccination practices reduced that number to one or two deaths per year. Rabies vaccinations for dogs are a significant reason for that progress, which is why Iowa law takes them seriously.
Iowa Annotated Statute 351.33 requires dog owners to vaccinate their dogs against rabies. The statute makes it unlawful for any person to own or have a dog in their possession, six months of age or older, that has not been vaccinated. Failing to follow this vaccination law is a simple misdemeanor offense in Iowa.
If your dog is found running at large without vaccination, local law enforcement or the board of health can impound the animal. The owner then has one week to produce proof of vaccination or have the dog immediately vaccinated. If they fail to act within that window, the dog can be euthanized under Iowa law.
Exemptions to the Iowa Rabies Vaccination Requirement
Iowa statutes do recognize several exemptions to the rabies vaccination requirement. Dogs are exempt if they are under six months of age, kept in a kennel and not allowed to run at large, under the control of the owner and in transit through Iowa for fewer than 30 days, in the state for fewer than 30 days for exhibition purposes, or assigned to a research facility. While these dogs may be legally exempt from the vaccination requirement, keeping all dogs current on their rabies vaccination remains sound practice. An unvaccinated dog that encounters a wild, rabid animal may become infected and then pose a danger to any person it subsequently bites.
What Happens if the Dog's Vaccination Status Is Unknown
When police or animal control officers respond to a reported dog attack, they will investigate, identify the dog's owner, and verify whether the animal is current on its rabies vaccination. After the investigation, you should ask the responding officers for their contact information so you can request a copy of the official report once it becomes available. That report will contain important details you will need if you decide to pursue a legal claim.
The report should indicate whether the dog has proof of current rabies vaccination. Investigators or animal control will typically keep you updated on the dog's rabies status, because the timeline for beginning treatment matters greatly. If vaccination cannot be confirmed, your medical provider will need to discuss your options right away. The rabies post-exposure prophylaxis series, known as PEP, is highly effective at preventing infection when administered promptly. The number and timing of injections depend on factors including the severity of the bite, the type of exposure, and whether you have been previously vaccinated against rabies.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Dog Attack
The actions you take in the hours immediately following a dog bite can have a lasting effect on both your health and the strength of any legal claim you may pursue. Whether you were bitten on the job, in a park, or on someone's property, these steps apply.
Call 911 and report the incident. This is the first step. If your injuries require immediate medical attention, an ambulance to the emergency room is appropriate. If your injuries allow and you feel safe to do so, you may choose to drive yourself for treatment. Either way, getting prompt medical attention is critical. Dog bites can lead to serious infections if not treated properly. If the bite is deep or severe enough to require stitches, having the wound treated and closed as soon as possible reduces the risk of complications and promotes faster healing.
Notify your employer if you were bitten while working. Delivery drivers and others bitten on the job need to inform their employer as soon as possible about the attack and the medical care they plan to pursue. In Iowa, as in many states, employers generally have the right to choose the medical provider for work-related injuries, unless the situation is an emergency, such as a dog bite, which may allow the worker to seek immediate care without prior approval.
Photograph your injuries right away. Take clear photographs of your injuries immediately after the incident and continue documenting how the wounds heal every few weeks. This visual record is important evidence in your claim.
Collect information from the dog owner. Get the owner's name, contact information, and the dog's rabies vaccination status. This information is essential for both medical and legal purposes.
Address your medical bills through your own health insurance. If you have health insurance, tell your medical providers to submit your bills to your insurer. While it may seem logical to bill the dog owner directly, there is no guarantee they have insurance or the ability to pay. Using your own health insurance ensures your care is covered promptly. Even if the dog owner has insurance, their carrier is unlikely to pay your medical bills as they are incurred, and delays can result in unpaid bills being sent to collections, potentially harming your credit.
Report ongoing physical or emotional symptoms to your doctor. Many dog bite victims experience psychological effects that surface after the initial physical wounds have begun to heal. If you continue to experience pain, anxiety, fear, difficulty sleeping, or other concerns, report these problems to your primary care provider and seek appropriate care. Your healthcare providers can only help if they know what you are experiencing.
The Long-Term Physical Effects of Dog Bites
Dog attacks can have lasting physical consequences that go well beyond the initial wound. Some bites result in permanent physical disfigurement, including permanent scarring, paralysis or partial paralysis, mobility problems, and in the most extreme cases, amputation. Plastic or reconstructive surgery may be necessary to address these injuries. However, certain conditions like paralysis may be irreversible, requiring victims to cope with lifelong disabilities.
Treatment for deep bites often involves stitches or staples to close wounds, though the appropriate treatment plan depends on the severity and location of the injury. Complications including infection, scarring, and damage to underlying structures are all possible. Aftercare is an important part of recovery and typically includes keeping the wound clean, using any prescribed medications, and receiving a tetanus shot if indicated by your provider.
If the dog bite resulted in permanent scarring, consulting with a plastic surgeon about potential treatment options, including scar revision procedures, may be worth pursuing. The cost of those consultations and procedures can be included in a legal claim against the dog's owner.
Infections and Disease Risks
While serious infectious complications from dog bites are relatively rare, they are real risks that deserve immediate attention. Beyond the concern about rabies, dog bites can lead to other serious complications including sepsis, loss of function in the affected area, and in the most severe untreated cases, death. Prompt medical attention is essential to prevent and treat these complications as effectively as possible.
The Long-Term Mental and Emotional Effects of Dog Attacks
The psychological impact of a dog attack is often underestimated but can be just as debilitating as the physical injuries. Dog attacks can cause significant mental and emotional trauma, particularly in children. Symptoms that victims may experience include post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks to the attack, ongoing fear and anxiety, difficulty sleeping, loneliness, and in serious cases, self-harm or substance abuse as coping mechanisms.
Children who are attacked by dogs may develop attachment disorders as a result of the trauma. Adults commonly experience PTSD symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning, work, and relationships. Counseling and therapy are essential for addressing these psychological injuries, and your healthcare providers can only offer appropriate care if they are made aware of the symptoms you are experiencing. These treatment costs are also recoverable damages in a dog bite claim.
Dog Bites While Working: Special Considerations for Delivery Drivers
Delivery drivers face a constant risk of dog attacks while dropping off packages at residential properties. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog while making deliveries, the same general steps apply. Call 911, seek medical care, report the attack to your employer, and document your injuries with photographs.
One important distinction for workers is the question of which insurance covers your medical care. In Iowa, employers generally have the right to direct medical care for work-related injuries, but emergency situations like a dog bite may allow you to seek immediate care without prior employer approval. Notifying your employer as quickly as possible after seeking emergency treatment is still important to protect your workers' compensation rights. Iowa's strict liability dog bite law also still applies, meaning the dog owner can be held accountable regardless of whether the incident occurred while you were on the job.
Your Legal Options and What Compensation May Be Available
Victims of dog attacks in Iowa may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses. Medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages during recovery, the cost of counseling and psychological treatment, and compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement are all categories of damages that may be pursued. If the dog owner has insurance coverage, it generally makes sense to complete your medical treatment before evaluating whether to settle or file a lawsuit. An experienced Iowa dog bite attorney can help assess the best course of action based on the specific facts of your situation.
If the dog owner does not have insurance coverage, a lawsuit may still be an option depending on whether the owner has collectible assets. Keep in mind that Iowa has certain exemptions, such as the homestead exemption, which means a court judgment cannot force someone to sell their primary residence to satisfy it. However, if the property is ever sold and the judgment is renewed within the applicable time limits, the judgment would likely need to be satisfied at that time.
Walker, Billingsley & Bair represents dog bite victims throughout Iowa, including those in and around Anamosa. The firm offers a free consultation to discuss the details of your case and advise you on the best path forward. To speak with a qualified Iowa dog bite attorney, contact the firm online at iowainjured.com or call (641) 792-3595.
When to Contact Anamosa Dog Bite Lawyers
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.