Attorneys
- Grundy Center Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
- Phone: 641-792-3595
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A dog attack near Grundy Center, Iowa can leave a victim with far more than a simple wound. Bites often carry a real risk of infection, and the force of a serious attack can result in broken bones that require surgery and months of recovery. On top of the physical injuries, what you say and do during your medical treatment can significantly affect the strength of your legal claim.
Walker, Billingsley & Bair has spent decades helping injured Iowans understand their rights after a dog attack. This page brings together what Grundy Center dog bite victims need to know about infection risks, broken bone injuries, Iowa's strict liability law, and the medical treatment mistakes that can quietly damage an otherwise strong claim.
Dog Bite Infections
Up to one in five dog bite wounds become infected, making early recognition of symptoms critical to your health.
Broken Bones From a Dog Attack
Fractures to the arms, legs, face, hips, ribs, and skull are all possible outcomes of a serious dog attack.
Iowa's Strict Liability Law
Dog owners in Iowa are responsible for nearly all injuries their dog causes, without the need to prove a prior history of aggression.
Protecting Your Medical Case
What happens at the doctor's office can shape how your claim is viewed by insurance companies, judges, and juries.
Common Types of Dog Bite Infections Grundy Center Victims Should Know
About one in five dog bites require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of wounds from dog bites become infected, according to a report in the journal American Family Physician. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, it is important to know the risk factors and what symptoms to watch for so you can seek early intervention and treatment.
What Causes a Dog Bite Infection?
A dog bite infection depends upon several co-existing factors. Many infections involve multiple microbial organisms from the dog's saliva, the recipient's skin, and the environment, according to Medscape.
Capnocytophaga
One of the most common pathogens in dog bites, this germ is naturally found in up to 41 percent of dogs' saliva, according to Medscape.
Rabies Virus (Rhabdoviruses)
A serious concern, since dogs are responsible for transmitting rabies to humans 95 percent of the time worldwide, and the infection is often fatal.
Pasteurella and Staphylococcus Species
Pasteurella multocida, Pasteurella canis, and Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species are other infections commonly associated with dog bites.
Other infections might also develop, so it is important to always see a doctor after any animal bite.
Who Is at Greater Risk of Infection?
Certain victims are more susceptible to infection than others. Those of advanced age, children, and those with suppressed immune systems are at greater risk. The severity of the wound also matters, since the deeper and more open the wound, the greater the risk of infection.
- The presence of a chronic disease, such as cancer, heart disease, or a prior splenectomy
- Unknown status of the dog's immunization records
- A susceptibility to edema, meaning a tendency to swell and retain water easily
- Alcohol consumption
- Poor wound care
Symptoms of a Dog Bite Infection
The signs of infection from a dog bite are similar to other types of infection. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your physician straightaway or seek emergency care.
Broken Bones From a Dog Attack Near Grundy Center
Some dogs, without provocation, may attack an undeserving victim. When a dog attack occurs, the victim is at risk of sustaining a number of serious and debilitating injuries, including broken bones.
Types of Broken Bones From a Dog Attack
Depending upon the severity of the attack, the broken bones can range greatly. In some cases, multiple bones may be broken. Sometimes a break may be minor and easy to correct, while other times a break can be severe and require surgery and rehabilitation.
Some broken bones, such as a skull fracture that affects the brain, may cause permanent impairment for the individual attacked.
Iowa's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Iowa is what is known as a strict liability state, which basically means that if a dog bites you and you were not doing something illegal, the dog owner is liable for your injuries. This also includes injuries sustained while a dog is attacking you. Some states have a so-called first bite rule, which requires proving the dog bit someone before or that it was a known dangerous dog prior to biting you. Here in Iowa, that unnecessary burden does not exist. Iowa dog owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs under almost every situation.
According to Iowa State Statute Section 351.28, the owner of a dog is liable to an injured party for damages done by the dog if the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person. One exception applies if the victim is doing something unlawful at the time of the bite that directly contributes to the injury, such as trespassing. The law also does not apply to dogs suffering from rabies, unless the owner knew of the rabies and failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent the attack.
Damages Available Under Iowa Dog Bite Law
A person who has suffered broken bones or infections from a dog bite can recover all necessary damages for medical care.
- Initial care and examinations
- Imaging procedures like X-rays
- Treatment
- Surgery
- Medications
- Lost wages and future lost wages
- Scars and disfigurement
- Emotional suffering related to the attack
Protecting Your Claim: Mistakes to Avoid With Your Doctor
Many people fail to realize how important their interactions with the doctor are when treating an injury after a dog attack. Common mistakes during medical treatment can make a significant difference in your case. Your medical records are the heart and lungs of your injury claim, and what is in them matters enormously to insurance companies, judges, and juries.
Ten Medical Treatment Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Case
1. Failing to See a Doctor Immediately
It is your responsibility to prove you were injured by the attack. Seeking immediate medical attention helps establish the connection between the dog bite and your injuries, including any infection that develops afterward.
2. Discussing Your Lawsuit With Medical Providers
Your medical providers do not need to know about your lawsuit or attorney. Whatever you tell them is not confidential once you bring a claim, and it will end up in your medical records.
3. Hiding Your Health History
Be honest about prior injuries to the same area of your body. Incomplete or inaccurate information can negatively affect both the quality of your care and your legal case.
4. Missing or Being Late to Appointments
When you fail to attend an appointment, your record will show a "No Show" or "DNS." Multiple missed appointments can signal to a jury that you did not care about your own treatment.
5. Not Reporting Work Limitations
If your injury is negatively impacting your ability to work, document this by telling your healthcare provider at every visit so it appears in your records.
6. Failing to Document Pain Properly
Insurance companies and juries will look for documentation of your pain, including how quickly it was reported, where it was located, and how severe and long lasting it was. Avoid exaggeration, as inconsistencies will be noted.
7. Not Following Medication Instructions
Follow your doctor's prescription recommendations, including any antibiotics prescribed to prevent or treat infection. If a medication causes unwanted side effects, call your doctor rather than stopping on your own.
8. Stopping Treatment Too Soon
Significant gaps in treatment of a month or more will be used against you to suggest you healed and may have sustained a new, undisclosed injury.
9. Failing to Keep Medical Records
Keep business cards, bills, and records from every medical provider you see, along with copies of work excuses, restrictions, and referrals for your attorney.
10. Ignoring Anxiety and Depression After the Attack
Pain, limited activities, and disability following a dog attack often cause anxiety and depression. These are compensable injuries when properly diagnosed and treated.
Steps to Protect Your Grundy Center Dog Bite Claim
Your Dog Bite Action Checklist
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if the wound initially seems minor.
- Watch for signs of infection, including swelling, redness, warmth, discharge, fever, or red streaks, and call your doctor right away if they appear.
- Follow through with all prescribed antibiotics, imaging, and follow-up appointments.
- Document the attack with photos and gather contact information for any witnesses.
- Identify the dog's owner and confirm whether you were lawfully on the property at the time of the attack.
- Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment and recovery.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact an experienced Iowa dog bite attorney well before the two year statute of limitations expires.
When to Contact Grundy Center 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.