Ida Grove Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

While the idea of dogs being man's best friend sounds nice, the reality is that a dog can turn on a human at any time, leading to severe, even life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one in Ida Grove has been injured in a dog attack, understanding Iowa's dog bite laws, knowing how to report a dangerous dog even before a bite occurs, and knowing who should pay your medical bills can help you protect your rights and your finances during recovery.

An Overview of Dog Bite Laws in Iowa

Iowa has a statute that imposes liability for injuries or damages caused by an owner's dog, and liability will rest with the owner in most cases. Since every situation is unique, it is always best to consult with an Iowa dog bite attorney about the specific facts of your case.

Under Iowa Statute 351.28, the owner of a dog that causes injury to a person is liable for all damages related to the incident. This means damages may extend beyond the direct injuries caused by the biting or attacking dog itself. For example, if a person is attempting to escape a dog attack and runs into the street, getting struck by a car, Iowa dog bite law allows the victim to make a claim for the additional injuries caused by being struck by the vehicle. Similarly, if someone was riding a bicycle and a dog began chasing in an attempt to attack or bite, and that person was thrown from the bike and injured as a result, the victim could still pursue a claim under Iowa's dog bite laws.

Rabies Symptoms in Dogs and Stray Animals

Rabies is a deadly virus that can spread to humans from the saliva of infected animals. If an animal is acting unwell, it is important to stay away from it and contact local animal control to investigate the situation. Symptoms of rabies in dogs include aggression, biting, a dazed look and confused behavior, refusing water, and foaming at the mouth. If you have been bitten and are concerned about possible rabies exposure, seek medical attention right away.

Can I File a Complaint Against a Dangerous Dog Even If It Has Never Bitten Anyone?

Yes, it is possible to file a dangerous dog complaint even if the dog has not bitten anyone yet. Iowa municipalities generally follow a two tier system for regulating vicious and dangerous dogs, and if a dog is declared either vicious or dangerous, the city can take steps to protect the safety of its residents. While the exact definitions vary by local ordinance, dogs are commonly considered vicious if they have attacked a person or domestic animal without provocation, show a tendency to attack or endanger the safety of people or animals, snap or bite, have been trained for dog fighting, or have been trained to attack humans. Certain breeds are sometimes preemptively included under these ordinances as well, even if an individual dog has never shown aggression.

Under this type of definition, dogs that growl, bark, become rigid, or otherwise appear threatening can potentially be labeled vicious, and a dog that harms a person in ways other than biting, such as knocking someone down or clawing at their face, can also be included.

A dog is generally considered dangerous under many local ordinances when it bites or claws a person on two separate occasions within a twelve month period, bites or claws a person once causing injuries above the shoulders, could not be controlled or restrained by the owner at the time of an attack, attacks a domestic animal or fowl on three or more separate occasions, or has killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property. Many of these conditions require the dog to seriously attack a person or animal more than once, or to inflict grave injuries such as those to the head, face, or neck. If a dog has not actually attacked, it generally cannot be declared dangerous under these ordinances, though it may still be found vicious depending on the specific local definitions that apply.

How to File a Complaint

Many Iowa communities contract with a local animal rescue or animal control agency to provide these services. To file a complaint, contact the appropriate local animal control office and describe the dog and the behavior of concern. The agency will investigate the claim and make a determination about whether the dog should be classified as dangerous or vicious under the applicable local ordinance.

What Happens to a Dog Found Vicious or Dangerous?

Dogs declared vicious under a local ordinance are typically subject to regulations that may include a separate license, a liability insurance requirement, and special rules requiring the animal to be confined in a house, structure, or on a leash. In some cases, if the local humane officer does not believe the owner can reasonably continue to maintain the dog safely, the dog may be ordered put down. Dogs declared dangerous are often seized and impounded for a set period following the declaration, or until an appeal is resolved. If a declaration is reversed on appeal, the owner generally has the dog returned to them.

Who Should Pay My Medical Bills After a Dog Bite?

Determining who pays your medical bills after a dog bite in Ida Grove can be confusing, and it is generally treated similarly to other personal injury cases. Rarely will the dog owner's insurance company make payments for your medical bills as they are incurred, even when liability is fairly clear. This is true even if the insurance company has already agreed to pay for other damages. The dog owner's insurance company is not required to pay your medical bills as they come in, and insurance companies routinely wait to make payments until a final settlement, when they can obtain a release from you. Because of this, you generally should not expect the dog owner's insurance company to pay your medical bills as you incur them.

Instead, injured Ida Grove residents typically look to one or more of the following sources to pay medical bills while a claim is pending: their own health insurance from an employer benefits package, health insurance they have purchased personally, health insurance obtained through a spouse or, for a minor, through a parent, medical payments coverage through their own auto policy if the injury also involved a vehicle, coverage through HealthCare.gov or Medicaid if they do not currently have insurance, or personal funds if they are uninsured and able to pay bills directly.

With medical debt continuing to rise, many injured people do not have the funds available to pay every bill as it arrives. When there are insufficient funds to pay doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers, an attorney can often help facilitate an assignment, in which the client authorizes the attorney's office to pay the medical provider directly out of any eventual settlement or verdict. This arrangement often satisfies the medical provider, who will frequently wait until the time of settlement rather than pursue collection efforts against the injured person.

It is also important to understand that almost all insurance policies include a subrogation provision. This means that if you receive money for your medical bills from another source, such as your own health insurance, that insurer will generally require reimbursement out of any settlement or recovery you later obtain from the dog owner's insurance company. Because the insurance company handling the dog owner's claim is not looking out for your interests, it is wise to understand your rights and the true value of your claim before signing any paperwork they provide.

When to Contact Ida Grove 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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