Mount Pleasant Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Being attacked by a dog is a frightening and dangerous experience. The injuries can be severe, the emotional aftermath can linger for months or years, and the process of pursuing compensation from the dog owner and their insurance company can feel overwhelming, especially when you are still trying to recover. Most serious dog bites happen to children, which makes the stakes even higher. Understanding what to do immediately after an attack, the full range of physical and psychological harm that can follow, and how Iowa law protects you are all critical pieces of information you need before you speak to anyone from an insurance company.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Iowa

The moments following a dog attack can be chaotic, but the steps you take right away can have a lasting impact on your health and on the strength of any future legal claim.

Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention

The first thing you should do after a dog bite is call 911 so that police and appropriate medical personnel are sent to the scene. This is especially important because many dogs do not have collars and may run from the scene after an attack. It is critical that the police investigate and identify the dog's owner. If the owner and dog cannot be located, you may be facing rabies shots if the animal's vaccination status cannot be confirmed.

Police will typically track down the dog owner and request proof of rabies vaccination from the owner or their veterinarian. If vaccination cannot be confirmed, the dog may be quarantined to watch for symptoms and help determine whether post-exposure treatment is necessary. Getting this information resolved quickly is not only important for your health, it is also essential for your legal claim. Without identifying the dog and its owner, there may be no source of compensation available to you at all.

Identify the Dog Owner and Their Insurance Coverage

Once the owner is identified, the next question is whether they have insurance coverage for your injuries. A dog owner who owns a home should have homeowners insurance that covers the actions of their dog. If they rent rather than own, they may have renters insurance that provides the same protection. If the dog owner has no insurance at all, you will need to evaluate whether they have personal assets worth pursuing and whether doing so is practical given the circumstances of your case.

Document the Injury and Report the Attack

Take photographs of your injuries as soon as possible and continue documenting the healing process over time. Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the attack. Report the incident to local authorities. A detailed, documented account of the attack, including the location, what led up to it, and any interaction with the dog owner, will strengthen your claim and make it more difficult for the insurance company to dispute the facts.

Seek Medical Treatment Right Away and Follow All Instructions

Dog bite injuries can cause serious damage requiring antibiotics, stitches, rabies shots, and in some cases future scar revision surgeries. After stitches are removed, your doctor will likely advise you to protect the wound from sun exposure and to use sunscreen to help the scar heal properly. If after six to twelve months the scar remains visible and troubling, consulting a plastic surgeon is a reasonable next step. There are a number of scar revision procedures available, including laser and chemical treatments, that can meaningfully reduce the appearance of scarring.

Long-Term Physical Effects of a Serious Dog Bite

Many people underestimate the lasting physical consequences of a serious dog attack. Far from being a minor inconvenience, a severe bite can result in permanent physical changes that require ongoing medical care for the rest of a victim's life.

Physical Disfigurement and Disability

Some dog attacks result in permanent physical disfigurement. Depending on the severity of the attack, victims may face any of the following long-term physical consequences:

• Permanent visible scarring
• Paralysis or partial paralysis
• Chronic mobility problems
• Amputation

Plastic or reconstructive surgery may be necessary to address certain injuries, but conditions like paralysis may be irreversible, requiring victims to cope with lifelong disabilities. The cost of treating these injuries and adapting to the limitations they impose can be financially devastating without proper compensation from the responsible party.

Infections and Serious Medical Complications

While serious disease transmission from a dog bite is relatively rare, the risk is real and should not be dismissed. Rabies, though uncommon, can be deadly if left untreated. Deep bites that are not promptly and properly treated can lead to bacterial infections, including sepsis, which is a life-threatening systemic infection. Other complications can include permanent loss of function in the affected area. Prompt medical attention after any dog bite is not optional. It is essential for preventing these complications from taking hold.

Treatment for deep dog bites often involves stitches or staples to close the wound, along with a course of antibiotics and, when appropriate, a tetanus shot. Aftercare instructions from your medical provider must be followed carefully, including keeping the wound clean and using all prescribed medications. Failing to follow medical advice not only puts your health at risk but can also be used by an insurance company to argue that your ongoing complications were caused by your own failure to care for the wound rather than by the bite itself.

Mental and Emotional Trauma from a Dog Attack

The physical injuries from a dog bite are often the most visible, but the psychological consequences can be equally serious and equally compensable under Iowa law. Dog attacks can cause significant mental and emotional trauma, particularly in children who may not yet have the tools to process what happened to them.

Mental and emotional symptoms that commonly follow a dog attack include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Replaying or acting out the traumatic incident
• Persistent fear, stress, and anger
• Loneliness and social withdrawal
• Aggression toward others
• Self-harm or substance abuse in more severe cases

Children attacked by dogs may develop attachment disorders as a result of the trauma. Adults commonly experience PTSD symptoms including flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and a persistent fear of dogs. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms following an attack, seeing a qualified mental health counselor is strongly recommended, and it is better to seek this care sooner rather than later. Not only is early treatment important for recovery, but documented mental health treatment is an important part of establishing the full scope of your damages in a legal claim. Counseling and therapy are essential components of addressing these psychological injuries, and the costs associated with that care are recoverable as part of your claim.

Iowa Dog Bite Law: Owner Liability Under Iowa Code 351.28

Iowa has a strict liability statute governing dog bite injuries. Under Iowa Code 351.28, the owner of a dog that causes injury to a person will be liable for all damages related to the incident, subject to very few exceptions. To recover under this statute, you must prove that a dog attacked or bit you. This is why promptly identifying the dog's owner is so important. Without an identified owner, there is generally no one to hold legally responsible.

Iowa's strict liability law is broader than many people realize. Damages may extend beyond the injuries caused by the bite itself. For example, if a person is trying to escape a dog attack and runs into the street and is struck by a car, that person can make a claim for those additional injuries under Iowa's dog bite law. Similarly, if a person is riding a bicycle and a dog chases and attempts to attack them, causing the rider to be thrown from the bike and injured, a claim can be made for those injuries as well. The scope of recoverable harm under this law is extensive, which is one reason why working with an experienced Iowa dog bite attorney is so important.

Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Dog Bite

Once a claim is submitted to the dog owner's insurance company, an adjuster will be assigned to your case. That adjuster may seem friendly and cooperative, but it is important to understand that their job is to represent the dog owner and to close your claim for as little money as possible. They are not your advocate and are not looking out for your best interests.

The adjuster will likely want to speak with you, see photographs of your injury, and may ask for a recorded statement. In general, providing a recorded statement to the insurance company is not in your best interest, particularly if your injuries are serious. For minor injuries, providing general information such as your age and a description of the injury may be reasonable. But if you or a loved one has been seriously hurt, it is strongly advisable to speak with an attorney before giving any statement to the insurance adjuster at all.

A qualified Iowa dog bite attorney can guide you through the process, deal directly with the insurance adjuster on your behalf, answer your questions, and make sure you receive the full compensation your injuries warrant. Compensation in a dog bite case can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical costs, and psychological counseling. The right attorney will work to make sure none of these damages are overlooked.

What to Look for in a Mount Pleasant Dog Bite Attorney

Choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. When evaluating potential representation after a dog bite, consider the following:

• Experience specifically handling dog bite cases
• Knowledge of Iowa's dog bite laws and how they apply to your situation
• A documented track record of successful results for injured clients
• Clear, responsive communication throughout the process
• Genuine compassion for clients and their families
• Willingness to take the case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
• Positive reviews and testimonials from past clients

Before your first consultation, gather as much documentation as you can, including medical records, photographs of your injury, any witness contact information, and a written account of the incident covering where and how it occurred and any interaction you had with the dog owner. The more thorough your documentation, the stronger your case will be from the very first meeting.

When to Contact Mount Pleasant 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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