Grimes Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Being attacked by a dog is a frightening experience that can leave victims dealing with serious physical injuries, lasting emotional scars, and a confusing legal process. Residents of Grimes, Iowa who have been bitten or attacked deserve clear guidance on exactly what steps to take and how to protect their right to full and fair compensation.

Dog bites are more serious than many people initially realize. Injuries can range from deep lacerations and infections to nerve damage, permanent scarring, and significant psychological trauma. Unfortunately, the most serious attacks frequently happen to children. If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in or around Grimes, Iowa, understanding the immediate steps to take, the evidence needed to build a strong claim, and what a qualified attorney will do on your behalf can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

The dog bite attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair have represented hundreds of injured Iowans, including many who were bitten by dogs, and they have seen firsthand what happens when victims do not know their rights and make avoidable mistakes. This guide is designed to help you avoid those mistakes from the very beginning.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Grimes

The first thing you should do after being attacked by a dog is call 911 so that police and appropriate medical personnel are sent to the scene. This step is more important than many people recognize. Dogs involved in attacks often do not have a collar and may run away immediately after the incident. If the dog and its owner are not identified, two serious problems follow: you may face rabies shots if the vaccination status of the dog cannot be confirmed, and you will have no source from which to recover compensation for your injuries.

Police called to the scene will typically work to track down the dog owner and then request proof of rabies vaccination from the owner or the dog's veterinarian. If vaccination cannot be confirmed, the dog will likely be quarantined to see whether it exhibits rabies symptoms. That determination will factor directly into whether you need to undergo a rabies treatment protocol.

Insurance Coverage and the Dog Owner

Presuming the owner of the dog is found, the next important question is whether that owner carries insurance. A homeowner's insurance policy should provide coverage for dog bite injuries. If the owner rents rather than owns their home, they may still have renters insurance that covers the actions of their dog. If the dog owner has no insurance coverage at all, you will need to assess whether that person has assets worth pursuing and whether the time and effort involved in doing so make practical sense.

If the dog owner does have insurance, your claim should be submitted to that insurance company. An adjuster will be assigned who will likely want to speak with you and to see photographs of your injuries. The adjuster may ask for a recorded statement. If your injuries are relatively minor, providing general information about your age and basic injury details is less risky. However, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured, it is important to consider speaking with an attorney before giving any statement to the insurance company. The adjuster may seem friendly and concerned, but their job is to represent the dog owner and pay you as little as possible to close your claim. They are not looking out for your best interests.

Medical Treatment After a Dog Bite Attack

Dog bite injuries can cause serious damage that may require antibiotics, stitches, rabies shots, mental health counseling, and eventually scar revision surgeries. Once the immediate rabies concern has been addressed, both the physical and emotional scars need attention.

If you or your loved one are experiencing flashbacks to the attack, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, or a new fear of dogs, seeking help from a qualified mental health counselor sooner rather than later is strongly recommended. Treating the psychological impact early produces better outcomes and also creates documentation that is important for your legal claim.

From a purely physical standpoint, after stitches are removed, scarring may remain. Your doctors will likely instruct you to avoid sun exposure and to use sunscreen to help the scar heal as well as possible. If the scar is still visible and bothersome after six to twelve months, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is worth pursuing. There are several scar revision procedures available, including the use of lasers and chemical treatments, that can meaningfully reduce the appearance of scarring. The costs associated with these treatments are all part of the damages you may recover in a dog bite claim.

You can also read more about common types of dog bite infections and symptoms and treatment for psychological dog bite injuries to better understand the full scope of what recovery may involve.

Iowa's Dog Bite Law and the Evidence You Need to Win Your Claim

Iowa imposes a strict liability statute regarding dog bite claims. Strict liability means that the owner of a dog is liable for all damages caused by his or her dog, with very few exceptions, the primary one being that the victim was performing an illegal act at the time of the attack. Understanding how Iowa law works, and what evidence applies under both statutory and case law, is essential before you move forward with a claim.

Evidence Required Under Statutory Law

If you are pursuing a dog bite claim under Iowa's strict liability statute, the evidence required is relatively straightforward. You will primarily need to establish three things:

• That the dog in question was the dog that bit or attacked you
• That you suffered injuries as a direct result of the bite or attack
• That you were not doing anything illegal at the time the attack occurred

Beyond these three elements, there is relatively little else you need to establish to hold the dog owner responsible for your damages under the statute. This is why promptly identifying the dog and its owner at the scene is so critically important, because without that identification, you have no foundation for a statutory claim at all.

Evidence Required Under Case Law

To recover damages under Iowa common law, sometimes called case law, you will need to establish that the dog owner was negligent. Successfully proving negligence may allow you to recover a greater total damages amount, including compensation for pain and suffering that goes beyond what the strict liability statute alone may provide.

Iowa courts consider a dog owner negligent when the owner knew that the dog was dangerous but failed to properly restrain it. For example, if a dog had previously bitten someone and the owner did not take adequate precautions to control the animal, that owner acted negligently. Similarly, if the dog had rabies and the owner knew about it or should reasonably have known about it but failed to take action, the owner's conduct would be considered negligent.

To recover under case law, you will need to prove the following:

• That the owner knew or should have known about the dog's dangerous nature
• That the owner failed to take action to prevent the bite or attack
• That the dangerous dog did in fact bite or attack you
• That you suffered injuries as a result of the bite or attack

If you can prove all four of these elements, you are eligible to recover damages for the full extent of the injuries you suffered, which can be significantly more than what a statutory claim alone would produce.

What a Grimes Dog Bite Attorney Will Do for Your Case

Many dog bite victims wonder whether they truly need an attorney, what it will cost, and how they will know whether what the insurance company offers is fair. Depending on the nature and severity of injuries, representation may or may not be strictly necessary in every case. However, it is always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced Iowa injury attorney, particularly when serious injuries are involved. Before you decide whether to hire someone, it also helps to read reviews from prior clients on platforms like Google and Avvo to make sure the attorney you are considering has a genuine record of results and strong client experiences.

When Walker, Billingsley & Bair represents a dog bite victim, every task performed is done at no upfront cost or risk to the client. The firm is only paid if the case is successful. Here is a detailed picture of what a qualified Iowa dog bite attorney will do on your behalf:

• Educate you about Iowa injury laws, which vary from state to state and contain provisions that could significantly affect your claim
• Gather documentary evidence including police accident reports, medical records, and bills related to the attack and your treatment
• Hire an investigator, if necessary, to interview witnesses, locate additional witnesses, and reconstruct the facts of the attack
• Collect other evidence such as photographs of the injuries and the scene of the attack
• Review and analyze legal issues that could affect your recovery, including comparative fault and assumption of the risk
• Talk to your physicians and obtain written reports from them to fully support your case and document the extent of your condition
• Analyze your insurance policy to identify any coverages that may pay all or a portion of your medical bills while the claim is still pending
• Review and analyze the validity of any liens on your case, since doctors, insurance companies, welfare benefit plans, and employers may assert that they are entitled to all or part of your recovery
• Contact the insurance company to place them on notice of your claim, if this has not already been done
• Prepare a demand package to send to the defendant in an attempt to settle the case before filing suit
• Prepare for mediation or settlement negotiations prior to trial
• Prepare the case fully for trial, including medical and demonstrative exhibits, witness preparation, and the filing of any necessary motions and briefs with the court
• Take the case to trial before a jury if a fair settlement cannot be reached
• Review the verdict and advise you on whether either side has grounds for appeal

This is a significant amount of work, and having an attorney handle it allows you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery rather than spending your energy fighting with an insurance company that is not on your side. You can also learn more about your options by reading whether you need to hire an attorney and whether you should handle your Iowa injury case without one.

When to Contact Grimes 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.

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