Denver Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

A dog attack can happen in an instant, whether you are walking through a neighborhood, delivering a package to a front porch, or simply visiting a friend's home. The physical injuries are often just the beginning. Dog bite victims in Denver also face confusing questions about medical bills, rabies exposure, insurance companies, and whether they have grounds to pursue compensation. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Denver, understanding Iowa's dog bite laws and your legal options is the first step toward protecting your health and your rights.

Iowa Rabies Vaccination Laws Every Denver Dog Owner Should Know

Rabies used to be a far more serious public health threat than it is today. In the early 1900s, over 100 people a year died from rabies infection according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the 1990s, that number had dropped to just one or two rabies deaths per year nationwide, largely because of widespread pet vaccination requirements. Ensuring dogs are properly vaccinated helps prevent human rabies infection after a dog bite, which is why Iowa law is so strict about vaccination requirements for dog owners.

Iowa Annotated Statute Section 351.33 requires dog owners in Denver and throughout the state to vaccinate their dogs against rabies. The statute makes it unlawful for any person to own or possess a dog six months of age or older that has not been vaccinated. Failing to comply with this law is a simple misdemeanor offense in Iowa.

If a dog is running loose in Denver and has not been vaccinated, the local board of health or a law enforcement official has the authority to impound the animal. The owner then has one week to retrieve the dog and provide proof of vaccination, or have the dog vaccinated immediately. If the owner fails to do so within that window, the dog may be euthanized.

Exemptions from the Rabies Vaccine for Dogs

Iowa law allows for a handful of exemptions to the rabies vaccination requirement. A dog may be exempt if:

• The dog is under six months of age
• The dog is kept in a kennel and never allowed to run at large
• The dog is under the owner's control, in transit, and will be in Iowa for less than 30 days
• The dog is being exhibited and will be in the state for less than 30 days
• The dog is assigned to a research facility

Even though these dogs may be legally exempt, it is still wise for owners to keep their pets current on the rabies vaccine. An unvaccinated dog that has contact with a rabid wild animal can become infected and later pass that infection on to a person or another animal.

How the Rabies Vaccine Is Administered

Only licensed veterinarians are permitted to administer rabies vaccinations in Iowa, and the vaccine itself must be approved by the state department of agriculture and land stewardship. After vaccinating a dog, the veterinarian issues a certification of vaccination that the owner should keep on hand in case authorities ever request proof. The vet also issues a rabies tag that is meant to stay on the dog's collar at all times. The vaccine itself is relatively inexpensive and widely available at veterinary clinics and animal hospitals throughout the Denver area.

If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog in Denver, whether the dog was vaccinated or not, it is worth speaking with an attorney about your legal options.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Denver

The steps you take right after a dog attack can significantly affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation later. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog in Denver, the first step is to call 911 and report the incident to the police. If your injuries require immediate attention, consider taking an ambulance to the emergency room. If your injuries allow it and you feel safe doing so, you may choose to drive yourself to seek treatment instead.

If the attack happened while you were working, such as while making a delivery, you should also notify your employer as soon as possible and let them know what medical care and treatment you plan to pursue. In many states, including Iowa, an employer generally has the right to choose your medical provider for a work-related injury, unless it is an emergency situation such as a dog bite, which may allow you to seek immediate care without prior approval.

Reporting the Attack and the Dog Bite Investigation

When police or animal control officers arrive at the scene, they will investigate the attack, work to identify the dog's owner, and check whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccinations. Be sure to get a business card or contact information from the investigating officers so you can later request a copy of the official report, which should contain information you will need if you decide to pursue compensation.

The report should also indicate whether the dog has proof of current rabies vaccination. Investigating officers or animal control will typically keep you updated on the dog's rabies status, because starting rabies vaccine injections as soon as possible matters a great deal if there is any doubt. If there is no confirmation of vaccination, you should discuss next steps with your medical provider right away. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so your realistic options are either to risk potential infection or begin the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis series. These injections are highly effective at preventing rabies when given promptly, and the number and timing of the shots will depend on the severity of the bite, the type of exposure, and whether you have been vaccinated before.

Getting Medical Treatment After a Dog Attack

It is important to be evaluated and treated for your injuries right away. Dog bites can lead to serious infections if they are not treated properly, and a bite that is deep enough to require stitches should be treated and closed as soon as possible to reduce complications and support faster healing. You can learn more about the long-term effects of a dog attack that Denver victims sometimes experience.

If you continue to experience physical or emotional issues after your initial treatment, report those problems to your primary care provider and seek appropriate follow-up care. Many dog bite victims deal with ongoing psychological effects such as flashbacks, anxiety, a new fear of dogs, trouble sleeping, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions are treatable through counseling, therapy, and sometimes medication, but your providers can only help if they know what you are experiencing. If the attack left permanent scarring, it may also be worth consulting with a plastic surgeon about scar revision options.

Denver Delivery Drivers and Dog Attacks

Delivery drivers face a constant risk of dog attacks while dropping off packages at homes throughout Denver. There are protective measures drivers can use to reduce that risk, such as carrying a can of deterrent spray and looking around a property for signs of a dog before approaching the door. Even with precautions, attacks still happen, and the steps outlined above apply just as much to a delivery driver bitten on the job as to anyone else attacked by a dog in Denver.

Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Dog Bite in Denver?

One of the most common questions Denver dog bite victims have is who will actually pay for their medical care. The answer depends largely on the circumstances of the attack.

Medical Bills for Work-Related Dog Bites

If you were bitten by a dog while working, such as during a delivery route in Denver, your employer's workers' compensation coverage generally applies. In most cases, your employer or their insurance company is responsible for providing and paying for medical care and treatment related to the injury. If your injuries are severe enough, this can extend to modifications needed at home or lost wages for a spouse or loved one who has to take time away from work to care for you. There are also circumstances where an employer can be held responsible for bills from a provider they did not initially approve, particularly if a claim has been denied and the employer has lost control over your treatment.

Medical Bills for Personal Injury Dog Bite Claims

Dog bite cases in Denver are generally treated as personal injury claims, and in that respect they work much like a car accident case. Rarely will the dog owner's insurance company make payments toward your medical bills as they come in, even when liability is obvious. Insurance companies typically only make payments at the time of a final settlement, when they can obtain a release. That means you generally should not expect the dog owner's insurance to cover your bills as they are incurred.

Instead, Denver dog bite victims typically need to look to one or more of the following sources to pay for medical care:

• Your own health insurance from an employer benefits package
• Health insurance you have personally purchased
• Health insurance obtained through a spouse, or through a parent if you are a minor living at home
• Medical payments coverage from your own auto insurance policy, if applicable to how the injury occurred
• Healthcare.gov or Medicaid, if you are not currently covered under an insurance plan
• Personal funds, if you are uninsured and able to pay bills as they arise

Please keep in mind that if you have health insurance, you should have your medical providers submit bills to your own health insurance rather than waiting on the dog owner. While it might seem logical to bill the dog owner directly, there is no guarantee they carry insurance or have the ability to pay. Using your own health insurance helps ensure your care is covered promptly, and any reimbursement owed from the dog owner's insurance can typically be addressed later through a legal claim or settlement.

If there are insufficient funds to pay medical providers, an attorney's office can often help arrange assignments where the client authorizes the office to pay providers directly out of any eventual settlement or verdict. Providers will frequently accept this arrangement and wait until settlement rather than pursue collection efforts. It is also worth keeping in mind that almost all insurance policies include a subrogation provision, meaning the insurer can require reimbursement if you later recover money for the same medical bills from another party or insurance company. You can read more about who should pay your medical bills after an Iowa injury.

Iowa's Strict Liability Law for Dog Bites

Iowa is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means the dog owner is legally responsible for injuries their dog causes, so long as the victim was not breaking the law, such as trespassing, at the time of the attack. Because of this, it is important for Denver dog bite victims to protect their rights by taking clear photographs of their injuries right after the incident and continuing to document how the wounds heal over the following weeks.

If the dog owner has insurance, it often makes sense to complete treatment for your injuries before deciding whether to pursue a settlement or file a lawsuit. It is worth talking to a qualified Denver dog bite attorney early in the process to determine the best course of action based on the facts of your case. If the dog owner does not have insurance coverage, you will need to consider what assets, if any, the owner has that could be pursued to satisfy a judgment. If they have collectible assets but no insurance, a lawsuit will likely be necessary. Keep in mind that Iowa recognizes certain exemptions, such as the homestead exemption, which generally prevents someone from being forced to sell their primary residence to satisfy a judgment. However, if that property is later sold, subject to certain time limitations, and the judgment has been renewed, the proceeds may go toward paying outstanding judgments.

When to Contact Denver 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.

More Info on Denver Attorneys