Lisbon Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

A dog bite in Lisbon can cause more than a painful wound. Depending on the severity of the attack, victims can face permanent scarring, disfigurement, serious infections, and lasting emotional trauma. Many people assume a dog bite claim depends on proving the owner already knew the dog was dangerous, or that a wound that looks minor at first is nothing to worry about, but Iowa law and the medical realities of these injuries often tell a different story. Understanding how Iowa law treats dog bite claims, what compensation may be available for disfigurement, and the health risks that come with any dog bite can help you protect your rights after an attack.

Does It Matter If the Dog Has Bitten Someone Before?

There is no one bite rule in Iowa, which means a dog owner does not need to have known their dog previously bit someone or acted aggressively in order to be held liable for damages. Whether the dog has bitten someone before or not has no effect on a victim's ability to recover compensation from the dog owner. In fact, dog owners in Iowa are strictly liable for damages if their dog bites or attacks a person. Victims do not have to prove the owner was negligent to recover damages. To win a claim, a victim generally needs to show that the dog bit them, that they suffered damages, and that the defendant owns the dog. They should also be able to show they were not engaged in illegal activity, such as trespassing, at the time of the bite.

Why Do Some Dogs Bite?

Dogs show aggression for a variety of reasons. They might be territorial, possessive, protective, or afraid. Biting can also be a learned behavior, and a dog's training and environment may make it more or less likely to bite. A dog kept in an abusive environment, for example, might become more aggressive and more likely to bite. Owners whose dogs have previously bitten someone should take steps to prevent a repeat incident, since many Iowa cities have local ordinances addressing dogs considered vicious or dangerous, including rules about confinement, leashing, and, in some cases, breed specific presumptions. Ordinances vary by city, so it is worth checking the specific rules that apply where you live if a dog has bitten someone or shown a tendency to bite, or if you were the one bitten. If you are bitten, it is important to report the incident.

Legal Options for Dog Bite Victims

People who are victims of dog bites in Lisbon can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the dog's owner. Bite victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include things like medical expenses, lost wages, and out of pocket expenses associated with the injury, while non-economic damages include pain and suffering and disfigurement. While the standard for liability in a dog bite case is relatively low, an attorney familiar with these cases can help victims pursue fair compensation for everything they have suffered.

Seeking Compensation for Permanent Disfigurement

Disfigurement from a dog bite may be associated with a range of damages that can be recovered in a claim, including the medical bills needed to treat the physical injury and any emotional damages the victim experiences as a result. While some dog bites leave only superficial wounds that require nothing more than a good cleaning, others puncture or tear the skin and cause severe disfigurement. Scarring from a dog bite can leave the skin raised, jagged, or otherwise unnatural looking.

Visible wounds on the face, neck, arms, and hands are generally sutured to help minimize scarring, while less visible or less severe wounds elsewhere on the body may be left to heal on their own. When skin damage is significant, skin grafting may be necessary, using skin taken from another part of the body to repair the injured area. In some cases, orthopedic surgery is needed to repair broken bones caused by a dog bite or attack, and reconstructive or cosmetic surgery may also be required depending on the severity of the injury.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

In cases involving disfigurement from a dog bite, a victim may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages relate to medical care and treatment received, along with other financial expenses and losses, and should account not only for current bills but also for any future expenses if additional surgeries, such as cosmetic procedures, become necessary. Economic damages can also include lost income during recovery, including future time off work needed for treatment. Many dog bite victims find the emotional trauma significant enough that counseling or other psychological care becomes necessary, and these costs can also be included as economic damages.

Non-economic damages address the broader consequences of a disfiguring dog bite injury, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, and diminished quality of life. This can include embarrassment over visible scarring and difficulty navigating social situations as a result of the disfigurement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog bite injuries affect approximately 800,000 people every year in the United States, with the highest injury rates among children between the ages of five and nine. Regardless of a victim's age, however, the effects of a dog bite can be devastating, impacting a person's life socially and even on the job if their work involves interacting with the public.

Can You Contract a Disease from a Dog Bite?

Yes, people who are bitten by a dog may contract diseases from the bite, and some of these illnesses can be life threatening. Rabies is the most well known, but several types of infections can become serious if not properly treated.

Health Risks to Watch For After a Dog Bite

Rabies attacks the central nervous system and can result in death unless treated immediately. Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pain, and as the disease progresses, it can cause inflammation in the brain, seizures, paralysis, and even coma. Staph infections are another risk, since staph bacteria are common and most carriers never become infected, but a dog bite can puncture tissue and allow the bacteria to enter deep into the body, causing infection with symptoms that may include pain, fever, and severe headache.

Pasteurella multocida is another bacterium commonly associated with animal bites and can cause pain, swelling, and joint infections. Tetanus is an infection affecting the nervous system that can cause muscle spasms and contractions, including lockjaw. Anyone who has not had a tetanus booster within the recommended timeframe, generally every ten years, may be advised by their doctor to receive a tetanus shot following a dog bite.

Filing a Claim After a Dog Bite in Lisbon

If you have been bitten by a dog, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is essential, both for your health and for documenting your injury. When someone has been seriously injured after a dog bite, compensation may be available to cover damages. A claim filed with the help of a personal injury attorney against a liable dog owner can address damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, including costs associated with treating any infection or disease contracted from the bite.

When to Contact Lisbon 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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