• Indianola Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
  • Phone: 641-792-3595
  • Directions

A dog attack can happen in seconds and leave a victim dealing with the consequences for years. The physical wounds, emotional trauma, and financial costs that follow a serious bite are often far greater than people initially expect. Residents of Indianola and Warren County who have been attacked by a dog deserve to understand exactly what Iowa law provides, what the long-term effects of a dog attack can look like, and how an experienced attorney works to make sure their full damages are recovered.

The dog bite attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair serve injured Iowans throughout the state. This guide covers Iowa's strict liability standard for dog bites, the physical and psychological damage a serious attack can cause over the long term, and the specific ways a personal injury attorney strengthens a dog bite claim and increases the compensation a victim ultimately receives.

Iowa's Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability and No "One-Bite Rule"

One of the most important things to understand about Iowa dog bite law is that there is no "one-bite rule" in this state. Some states require a dog to have previously bitten a person, or to have behaved in a way that put the owner on notice of the dog's tendency to bite, before the owner can be held liable. Iowa does not work that way. Whether the dog has bitten someone before or not has no effect on a victim's ability to recover compensation.

Dog owners in Iowa are strictly liable for damages caused by their dog when it bites or attacks a person. Victims do not have to prove the owner was negligent in any way. To prevail on a dog bite claim, a claimant or plaintiff needs only to prove three things: the dog bit them, they suffered damages, and the defendant owns the dog. The victim should also be able to demonstrate that they were not engaged in illegal activity, such as trespassing, at the time of the bite.

Why Do Dogs Bite People?

Dogs show aggression for a variety of reasons. A dog may be territorial, possessive, protective, or even afraid. Biting can also be a learned behavior, and the training and environment a dog is raised in can make it more or less likely to bite. A dog raised in an abusive home, for example, may become more aggressive and prone to attacking others.

Owners whose dogs have previously bitten a person are expected to take steps to prevent a repeat attack. Certain breeds are specifically declared vicious under local ordinance, including the Staffordshire terrier breed, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and any dog that has the physical appearance of these breeds.

Dogs declared vicious under local ordinance must be confined inside a house, pen, or kennel, or must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. The dog may not be tethered to a stationary object such as a tree. Ordinances vary by city, so checking the specific laws that apply in your area is important. If you have been bitten, make sure to report the dog bite right away.

What Damages Can a Dog Bite Victim Recover?

People who are victims of dog bites can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the dog owner. Bite victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs connected to the injury. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and disfigurement. While the standard for establishing liability is relatively straightforward under Iowa's strict liability rule, having an attorney ensures that all categories of damages are fully identified and pursued. You can also file a complaint about a dangerous dog even before a bite occurs by learning more about how to file a complaint against a vicious dog in Iowa.

The Long-Term Effects of a Dog Attack on Iowa Victims

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 more than 27,000 people were victims of dog attacks that resulted in reconstructive surgery. Additionally, one in five people who are bitten by a dog, roughly 885,000 people per year nationwide, requires medical attention. While some bites are minor, others cause long-term and permanent harm, both physically and psychologically. The three categories below represent the most serious long-term consequences that dog attack victims in Iowa may face.

Physical Disfigurement

Not every dog bite results in lasting physical harm, but serious attacks can cause permanent physical disfigurement. The types of lasting physical damage that can result from a dog attack include:

In some cases, plastic or reconstructive surgery can reduce the visible effects of disfigurement. However, certain types of damage, such as paralysis, cannot always be corrected. When a victim is left permanently disabled by a dog attack, the physical and financial consequences extend for the rest of that person's life, which is one reason why capturing the full long-term value of a dog bite claim matters so much.

Mental and Emotional Trauma

The mental and emotional effects of a dog attack can be just as devastating as the physical ones, and they are often overlooked in the early aftermath of an injury. Some victims, particularly children who are attacked by dogs, develop post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the VA National Center for PTSD, the effects of trauma on children and adolescents can include:

  • Acting out the incident during play
  • Fear, worry, stress, and anger
  • Feelings of loneliness
  • Aggression toward others
  • Inappropriate or unusual behavior
  • Self-harm
  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Impulsive behavior

A child attacked by a dog may also develop an attachment disorder characterized by crying, fear when separated from a parent, extreme withdrawal, disruptive behavior, nightmares, flashbacks, and depression. In adults, many of these same symptoms are common following a serious dog attack. These psychological injuries are real, documentable, and compensable under Iowa law, but only if they are properly identified, treated, and presented as part of a claim.

Infections and Disease

While it is relatively rare for a person to contract a dangerous or deadly disease from a dog bite, it does happen. Many infections and diseases resulting from dog bites are treatable, but some can cause long-term damage or can be fatal. Some dogs that bite are infected with rabies, which can be transmitted to the bite victim. Left untreated, rabies is deadly. When wound infections are not treated promptly and properly, they can spread throughout the body and lead to serious complications including disfigurement, sepsis, amputation, loss of function, and death. These disease and infection risks are another reason why seeking medical attention immediately after a dog attack is not optional; it is essential.

How an Attorney Strengthens the Value of Your Dog Bite Claim

When you have been attacked by a dog, the insurance company's first offer rarely reflects the true value of what you have suffered and what you will continue to deal with in the months and years ahead. Without proper legal representation, dog bite victims often accept far less than they are entitled to, simply because they do not know the full extent of what their claim is worth or how to prove it.

Uncovering the True Value Insurance Companies Try to Minimize

Most accident victims do not realize their case may be worth significantly more than what insurance adjusters initially propose. Adjusters are trained to minimize or conceal the full value of a claim. A personal injury attorney obtains doctors' reports and medical opinions when necessary to prove the connection between the attack and the injuries sustained. This documentation establishes a clear causal link that strengthens the claim and justifies the compensation being sought.

An attorney also secures expert opinions on the cost of future medical care. Insurance adjusters routinely focus on current medical bills while ignoring the long-term financial impact of serious injuries, including ongoing psychological treatment, reconstructive procedures, and physical rehabilitation. A thorough attorney documents all future medical needs, ensuring payment for the full recovery and not just for expenses already incurred.

Giving You a Realistic Assessment of What Your Case Is Worth

An attorney who has handled many dog bite cases can give a realistic range of what a case is worth once all the facts and medical opinions have been gathered. This assessment is based on years of handling similar Iowa injury cases and working knowledge of how juries and insurance companies evaluate damages. That grounded, experience-based perspective allows an injured victim to confidently reject a settlement offer that fails to account for the severity of the injuries, the impact on quality of life, the long-term disability implications, and lost wages.

Managing Subrogation Claims to Protect Your Net Recovery

An attorney adds significant value by managing subrogation claims, which are demands made by a victim's health insurance or other insurance carriers seeking reimbursement from the settlement. An Iowa personal injury attorney who knows the law can properly handle these claims and often puts more money in the client's pocket simply by being involved. Without legal help, injured people frequently repay more to insurance companies than what is legally required. A skilled attorney negotiates and reduces those liens, increasing the net recovery from the same total settlement amount.

Building the Case Through Comprehensive Investigation

To maximize case value, an Iowa personal injury attorney conducts a thorough investigation from the start. This includes gathering documentary evidence such as medical records and bills, and hiring investigators when necessary to interview and locate witnesses. Attorneys also analyze legal issues that could affect compensation, including comparative fault and assumption of risk, and review the client's insurance policies to identify any coverage that may pay for medical bills while the claim is pending.

Doctors, insurance companies, welfare benefit plans, and employers may all assert liens claiming entitlement to a portion of the recovery. The attorney reviews and challenges those liens, negotiates reductions wherever possible, and ensures the client keeps the maximum amount of any settlement or verdict. All of this work is performed on a contingency basis, meaning it costs the client nothing unless the case is successful.

For more information on protecting your rights as an injury victim, review these resources: Why the Insurance Company Is Not Always on Your Side and How Medical Records Impact Your Settlement.

 

When to Contact Indianola 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 Indianola Attorneys