Des Moines Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

A dog bite can be far more than a painful moment. It can permanently alter a person's appearance, create lasting psychological trauma, and generate medical costs that extend for years beyond the initial attack. Whether you were bitten while making deliveries on a Des Moines route, injured as a pedestrian, or are facing the prospect of reconstructive surgery, understanding your rights under Iowa law and what a qualified dog bite attorney can do for your case is an essential first step toward recovery.

Iowa's Strict Liability Law: Dog Owners Are Responsible

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 victim was not breaking the law, such as trespassing, at the time of the attack. It does not matter whether this was the first time the dog bit someone or whether there was no prior indication that the animal was dangerous. The owner is held responsible for damages under Iowa law.

This legal standard provides critical protection for bite victims in Des Moines and throughout Iowa. However, even under strict liability, challenges can arise in these types of cases. Whether it involves proving the damages suffered, establishing that the dog was not provoked, or determining whether the dog owner has insurance coverage or collectible assets, navigating a dog bite claim successfully often requires the guidance of an experienced attorney.

Will a Dog Bite Settlement Cover Plastic Surgery Costs?

This is one of the most important questions people ask after suffering a serious dog bite that results in scarring or disfigurement. The answer is yes, it is possible that a settlement will cover dog bite treatment costs including plastic surgery, but it must be proven that the surgery is directly connected to the dog bite injuries and is necessary to repair the damage caused by the attack.

When Plastic Surgery Becomes Necessary After a Dog Bite

Puncture wounds, lacerations, and tears from a dog bite can cause significant scarring and disfigurement. Plastic surgery is one of the primary ways to reduce the appearance of these injuries. In some cases, achieving the best possible result may require several separate procedures over time.

Plastic surgery is especially necessary when the injuries occur on highly visible areas such as the neck, face, and scalp. Stitches may address some open wounds, but severe injuries may require reconstructive surgery, including procedures like skin grafting. When the damage is particularly significant, such as reconstruction of a nose or major facial feature, the surgical process can become complex, lengthy, and expensive.

Unfortunately, even after undergoing plastic surgery, there may still be visible signs of scarring. While additional surgeries can sometimes improve the outcome, there are many circumstances in which no further aesthetic improvement can be achieved. This type of permanent disfigurement can lead to or significantly worsen emotional trauma for the victim.

Future Medical Costs Must Be Part of the Settlement

It is critically important not to settle a dog bite claim before accounting for future medical costs in addition to those already incurred. Typically, all medical costs stemming from a dog bite can be addressed in a claim. This may include the initial treatment, such as emergency room care, surgery, hospitalization, and medication. But if the victim is expected to require additional treatment in the future, including plastic surgery or follow-up reconstructive procedures, that anticipated future cost must be factored into the settlement before any agreement is signed.

The time spent healing from plastic surgery and the dog bite itself can also affect the injured person's ability to work. Future lost wages are just as important to account for as current lost income. And because of the profound psychological impact a serious dog bite can have, damages may also be available for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and disability. Seeking legal counsel ensures that all forms of compensation available in a dog bite claim are fully identified and addressed before settling.

Bitten by a Dog While Working as a Delivery or Amazon Driver

Amazon delivery drivers and other package delivery workers face a constant risk of dog attacks while dropping off packages at residential homes across Des Moines and throughout Iowa. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog while delivering packages, the steps you take immediately after the incident can significantly affect both your health outcome and the strength of any legal claim you pursue.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Dog Attack on the Job

The first step following a dog bite while working is to call 911 and report the incident to the police. If your injuries require immediate medical attention, consider taking an ambulance to the emergency room. If your injuries allow and you feel safe to do so, you may choose to drive yourself to seek treatment. Either way, getting evaluated promptly is essential because 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.

You should also notify your employer as soon as possible about the attack and inform them of the medical care you plan to pursue. In Iowa, an employer generally has the right to choose your medical provider for work-related injuries, unless it is an emergency situation. A dog attack typically qualifies as an emergency, which may allow you to seek immediate care without prior employer approval.

The Dog Bite Investigation: What to Expect

When police or animal control officers arrive at the scene, they will investigate the attack, identify the dog's owner, and verify whether the dog is current on rabies vaccinations. Be sure to ask the investigating officers for a business card or contact information so you can later request a copy of the official report. The report should contain the information needed to move forward with a compensation claim.

The report should also indicate whether the dog has proof of current rabies vaccination. This matters urgently because if there is no confirmation of vaccination, you may need to begin the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) injection series immediately. Rabies is almost always fatal if left untreated, so discussing this with your medical provider right away is not optional. The number and timing of injections will depend on the severity of the bite, the type of exposure, and whether you have been previously vaccinated.

Ongoing Medical Care and Psychological Effects

If you continue to experience physical or emotional problems after receiving initial treatment for a dog attack, it is important to report those issues to your primary care provider and seek appropriate ongoing care. Many dog bite victims suffer from lasting psychological effects including flashbacks, anxiety, fear of dogs, difficulty sleeping, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions are treatable through counseling, therapy, and in some cases medication, but your healthcare providers can only help if they are made aware of your symptoms. If the dog bite resulted in permanent scarring, consulting with a plastic surgeon about scar revision options is also a worthwhile step.

How Medical Bills Are Handled After a Dog Attack

If you have health insurance, you should tell your medical providers to submit your bills to your own health insurance. While it might seem logical to bill the dog owner directly, there is no guarantee they have insurance or the financial ability to pay. Using your own health insurance ensures your care is covered promptly, and any reimbursement or recovery from the dog owner's insurance can be addressed through a legal claim or settlement later. You can learn more about who should pay your medical bills after a dog bite or other injury.

Even if the dog owner does have insurance, it is unlikely their insurer will pay your medical bills as they are incurred. If you do not have health insurance, you may have no choice but to wait for a settlement, which can take months or longer. In the meantime, communicating with your providers and exploring payment plans or assistance programs can help prevent financial strain and protect your credit.

Deciding Whether to Sue

If the dog owner has insurance, it often makes sense to complete your medical treatment before deciding whether to attempt settlement or file a lawsuit. Speaking with a qualified Iowa dog bite attorney early in the process is always a good idea to determine the best course of action given your specific facts. If the dog owner does not have insurance, then you will need to consider what assets the owner has that could be recovered through a judgment. Iowa does have certain exemptions, including a homestead exemption, which means you cannot force someone to sell their primary residence to satisfy a judgment. However, if they sell the home at any point in the future, and subject to applicable time limitations and judgment renewal, they would likely have to pay any outstanding judgments at that time.

Taking clear photographs of your injuries immediately after the attack and continuing to document how the wounds are healing every few weeks strengthens your position throughout this process. You can also read more about Iowa dog bite laws and the steps to take after an attack in additional articles from Walker, Billingsley & Bair.

What Can a Des Moines Dog Bite Attorney Do for Your Case?

Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may or may not need an attorney in your dog bite case. However, it is always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced Iowa injury attorney and request information that may help you through the process and avoid common costly mistakes. Before hiring anyone, look at the attorney's reviews on platforms like Avvo.com and Google. Reviews from prior clients that speak to their personal experience and the results obtained can tell you far more than any advertisement.

If you decide to work with a Des Moines dog bite attorney, here is a comprehensive picture of what they can do on your behalf. Every case is different, and these tasks are performed at no upfront risk to you because qualified Iowa injury attorneys typically only get paid if they are successful in your case.

An attorney will educate you about Iowa dog bite and injury laws, which vary from state to state. They will gather documentary evidence including police and animal control reports, medical records, and bills. When necessary, they can hire an investigator to interview witnesses, locate additional witnesses, and collect other evidence such as photographs of the scene and your injuries. They will review and analyze the legal issues that could affect your compensation, talk to your physicians and obtain written medical reports to fully support and document your condition, and analyze your insurance policy to identify any coverages that may help pay your medical bills while the claim is pending.

An attorney will also review and analyze the validity of any liens asserted on your case. Doctors, insurance companies, welfare benefit plans, and employers may all claim they are entitled to all or part of your recovery. Challenging excessive or improper liens often results in more money in your pocket from the same settlement amount. Your attorney will contact the dog owner's insurance company to put them on formal notice of the claim, prepare a demand package in an attempt to settle the case before trial, and if settlement cannot be reached, prepare all witnesses and evidence and take the case to trial. They will also review the verdict and advise on whether an appeal is warranted.

You can read more about whether you need an attorney and whether you should handle your Iowa injury case without one in additional resources from Walker, Billingsley & Bair.

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 Des Moines Attorneys