Burlington Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Dog bites are far more common and far more serious than many people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog bite injuries affect approximately 800,000 people every year in the United States. One in five people bitten by a dog, roughly 885,000 people each year, requires medical attention. In 2012 alone, more than 27,000 people were victims of dog attacks that resulted in reconstructive surgery. Injury rates are highest for children between the ages of five and nine, making this a particular concern for Burlington families.

While some bites are minor, others cause long-term and permanent injuries, both physically and mentally. Understanding Iowa's dog bite laws, the range of injuries these attacks cause, and how compensation works is essential for anyone who has been hurt by a dog in the Burlington area.

Iowa's Strict Liability Law for Dog Bites

One of the most important things Burlington dog bite victims need to know is that Iowa does not follow the so-called "one-bite rule." Some states require that a dog have previously bitten someone, or that the owner have prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous tendencies, before the owner can be held legally responsible. Iowa does not work that way.

In Iowa, dog owners are strictly liable for damages caused by their dog if it bites or attacks a person. Victims do not have to prove the owner was negligent in order to recover compensation. Whether the dog has bitten someone before or not has no effect on the victim's ability to recover damages from the dog owner. To succeed in a claim, a victim needs only to prove three things: that the dog bit them, that they suffered damages, and that the defendant owns the dog. They should also be able to show that they were not engaged in illegal activity such as trespassing at the time of the bite.

This strict liability standard is a significant legal protection for Burlington victims. It means that even if a dog has never shown any prior aggression and the owner had no reason to expect the attack, the victim can still pursue a claim for full compensation.

Why Dogs Bite and What Iowa Law Expects of Owners

Dogs show aggression for different reasons. They might be territorial, possessive, protective, or even afraid. Biting can also be a learned behavior, and a dog's training and environment may make it more or less likely to bite. Dogs raised in abusive environments, for example, may become more aggressive and prone to biting.

Owners whose dogs have previously bitten a person are expected to take steps to prevent a repeat attack.  Certain breeds are declared vicious under these ordinances, including the Staffordshire terrier breed, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and any dog that has the appearance of these breeds.

Dogs declared vicious must be confined in a house, pen, or kennel, or must be on a leash no longer than six feet. The dog may not simply be tied to an inanimate object like a tree. Ordinances vary by city throughout Iowa, so it is important to check local rules. If you have been bitten, make sure you report the dog bite to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.

The Long-Term Physical Effects of a Dog Attack

Not all dog bites heal quickly and without complication. Serious attacks can result in injuries that stay with a victim for a lifetime. Some of the long-term physical consequences Burlington dog bite victims may face include:

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Paralysis or partial paralysis
• Mobility problems
• Amputation
• Infections, including sepsis
• Loss of function in affected areas

In some cases, plastic or reconstructive surgery can address the disfigurement. However, certain types of physical injury such as paralysis cannot always be corrected. In these situations, the victim must learn to cope with the disfigurement and disability for the rest of his or her life.

Infections and Disease Following a Dog Bite

Infection is a serious and common concern for dog bite victims in Iowa. While it is rare for someone to contract a dangerous or deadly disease from a dog bite, it does happen. Rabies is one example. If a dog that bites is infected with rabies and the bite goes untreated, the consequences can be fatal. When wound infections are left untreated, they can spread to other parts of the body and cause severe complications, including disfigurement, sepsis, amputation, loss of function, and in the most serious cases, death. Vaccinations or other forms of preventive treatment should be administered as soon as possible following any dog bite.

The Emotional and Psychological Toll of a Dog Attack

The damage from a dog attack does not end with physical injuries. Mental and emotional trauma can be equally devastating, and in some cases, even more difficult to treat. Some victims, particularly children who are attacked by dogs, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the incident.

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
• 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. Signs of extreme withdrawal or disruptive behavior are common, as are nightmares, flashbacks, and depression. These same psychological symptoms are also frequently seen in adult victims of dog attacks. The emotional aftermath of a serious dog bite is a legitimate and compensable part of a victim's claim, and Burlington families should not overlook this aspect of their damages.

Disfiguring Dog Bite Injuries: What Victims Need to Know

Disfigurement is one of the most serious outcomes of a severe dog attack, and seeking compensation for permanent disfigurement from a dog bite requires understanding the full scope of the injury and its impact on a victim's life.

Although some dog bites leave only superficial wounds, other attacks puncture or tear the skin and cause severe, lasting disfigurement. Scarring from a dog bite can cause the skin to be raised, jagged, or otherwise unnatural in appearance. Visible wounds on the face, neck, arms, and hands are generally sutured to minimize scarring. When the damage to the skin is significant, skin grafting may be required, in which skin is taken from another part of the body to repair the damaged area.

In some cases, orthopedic surgery to repair broken bones may be necessary. Reconstructive or cosmetic surgery may also be required depending on the nature and severity of the injuries. These are not minor procedures, and they carry their own costs, recovery times, and risks.

The impact of disfigurement extends well beyond the medical treatment itself. Victims may face embarrassment over severe scarring, difficulty in social situations, and challenges in the workplace, particularly those who work with the public. The CDC notes that dog bite injury rates are highest among children between five and nine years old, and a disfiguring injury at that age can shape the course of a child's entire life.

Compensation Available to Burlington Dog Bite Victims

People who are victims of dog bites in Burlington can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the dog's owner. Iowa's strict liability standard means that the bar for establishing the owner's responsibility is relatively low, but having the right legal guidance ensures that victims receive fair compensation for the full range of damages they have suffered.

Compensation in a dog bite case falls into two broad categories: economic damages and noneconomic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tied to the financial costs of the injury. These include:

• Medical bills for treatment already received
• Future medical expenses, including additional surgeries such as reconstructive or cosmetic procedures
• Lost wages during recovery
• Future lost income if ongoing treatment requires additional time away from work
• Costs of counseling or psychological care to address emotional trauma
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury

It is important that victims account for not just current bills but any future expenses as well. Failing to include projected future costs in a claim can leave victims significantly undercompensated for what may become a lifetime of ongoing treatment.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages address the broader consequences of the injury that do not come with a clear price tag. In a dog bite case involving serious or permanent disfigurement, noneconomic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional trauma and PTSD
• Disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life, including difficulty in social situations and embarrassment over scarring

Compensation may be available in cases of severe or permanent disfigurement that causes emotional harm. These damages recognize that the impact of a dog attack reaches far beyond the body and into every part of a victim's daily life.

Why Burlington Dog Bite Victims Should Speak with an Attorney

While Iowa's strict liability standard makes it easier to establish an owner's responsibility than in many other states, the process of building and presenting a dog bite claim still requires skill and experience. Insurance companies do not simply hand over fair settlements, and the full value of a victim's damages, including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and emotional harm, must be carefully documented and argued.

If you or your child has been attacked by a dog in Burlington or anywhere in Iowa, do not wait to take action. Seek medical care immediately, report the attack to animal control or law enforcement, and then contact a personal injury attorney who understands Iowa's dog bite laws and can fight for the compensation you deserve.