West Liberty Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Being attacked by a dog can be a terrifying and dangerous experience. Dog bite injuries can cause serious physical damage, lasting emotional trauma, and in the most severe cases, permanent disfigurement that reshapes the course of a person's life. If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in West Liberty, knowing exactly what steps to take in the immediate aftermath, understanding the injuries you may face, and recognizing how a qualified Iowa dog bite attorney can protect your rights are all critical to getting the compensation you deserve.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in West Liberty

The moments right after a dog bite are critically important, both for your health and for the strength of any future legal claim. The steps you take, or fail to take, in the immediate aftermath can have a meaningful impact on your ability to recover compensation from the dog owner.

1. Call 911 Right Away

   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. Often dogs do not have a collar and may run away after an attack, so it is important that law enforcement arrives quickly to investigate and identify the dog owner. If the dog and its owner cannot be located, you may face the prospect of rabies shots if the rabies status of the dog is not known.

2. Help Police Identify the Dog and Its Owner

   Iowa has strict liability for dog bite injuries. To recover compensation, you must be able to prove that a dog attacked and bit you, and you must be able to identify the owner. Police will typically track down the dog owner and request proof of rabies vaccination from the owner or the dog's veterinarian. If rabies vaccination cannot be confirmed, the dog will likely be quarantined to monitor for symptoms. Beyond the health risk, if the dog and its owner are never found, there may be no source from which you can recover compensation for your injuries.

3. Determine Whether Insurance Coverage Exists

   Once the dog owner is identified, the next step is determining whether they have insurance coverage. If the dog owner owns a home, their homeowner's insurance policy should contain coverage to provide compensation. If they rent rather than own, they may have purchased renters insurance that covers the actions of their dog. If the dog owner has no insurance coverage at all, you will need to consider whether they have assets worth pursuing and whether it is practical to do so.

4. Seek Medical Treatment Without Delay

   Dog bite injuries can cause serious physical damage that may require antibiotics, stitches, rabies shots, and in more serious cases, surgery. Do not delay treatment. Prompt medical care not only protects your health, it also creates an important record of your injuries that will be critical to your legal claim.

Medical Treatment After a Dog Bite: What to Expect

Dog bite injuries range in severity from superficial wounds that require little more than proper cleansing, to puncture wounds, deep lacerations, and injuries that cause significant long-term damage. Understanding the full scope of your medical needs is essential to building a claim that accurately reflects your losses.

Physical Injuries and Treatment

Visible wounds on the face, neck, arms, and hands are generally sutured to reduce scarring. Less visible or less severe wounds on the body may be left to heal on their own. When the damage to the skin is significant, it can require skin grafting, in which skin is taken from another part of the body to repair the damaged area. Orthopedic surgery to repair broken bones may be necessary in some cases, and reconstructive or cosmetic surgery may also be required depending on the nature and severity of the injuries.

After stitches are removed, there may be visible scarring. Doctors will typically instruct patients to avoid sun exposure and to use sunscreen to help the scar heal properly. If after six to twelve months the scar is still visible and bothersome, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is a good idea. There are a number of scar revision procedures available, including the use of lasers and chemical treatments, that can lessen the appearance of the scar. Infection is also a common concern with dog bite victims, and vaccinations or other forms of treatment may be administered as a precaution.

Emotional and Psychological Treatment

The physical wounds are not the only injuries that require attention. If you or your loved one are experiencing flashbacks to the attack, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, or fear of dogs, it is a good idea to see a qualified mental health counselor. It is better to address mental health concerns sooner rather than later, because treating these issues early leads to better outcomes and also ensures that the psychological impact of the attack is properly documented as part of your claim.

Permanent Disfigurement from a Dog Bite: Understanding Your Damages

Some dog bite injuries result in permanent disfigurement. The scarring from a dog bite can cause skin to be raised, jagged, or otherwise look unnatural. When disfigurement is significant and lasting, it can affect virtually every area of a person's life, including their confidence, their social interactions, and their ability to work, particularly in jobs that involve working with the public.

In cases involving permanent or severe disfigurement from a dog bite, Iowa law allows victims to pursue two distinct categories of damages.

Economic damages cover the medical care and treatment received, as well as other financial expenses and losses. It is important to consider not only current medical bills but any future expenses if additional surgeries will be necessary. Economic damages can also include the income a victim loses while recovering from injuries and any future time off from work that results in lost earnings due to ongoing treatment.

Noneconomic damages address the personal consequences and losses experienced as a result of a disfiguring dog bite injury. Compensation may be available for the severe emotional harm caused by permanent disfigurement, including the pain and suffering, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life that often follows a serious attack.

What a West Liberty Dog Bite Attorney Can Do for Your Case

Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may or may not need an attorney to handle your dog bite claim. However, it is always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced Iowa injury attorney to help you through the process and avoid costly mistakes. If your injuries are serious or have resulted in permanent disfigurement, the need for legal representation becomes even more critical.

Once you hire an attorney, he or she becomes your advocate and handles communications with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. Your attorney is there to answer your questions, protect your rights, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Here is a closer look at what a qualified Iowa personal injury attorney will handle on your behalf:

• Educate you about Iowa dog bite laws and strict liability standards, which vary from state to state
• Gather documentary evidence including police accident reports, medical records, and bills
• Hire an investigator, if necessary, to interview witnesses, locate witnesses, and document the circumstances of the attack
• Collect other evidence such as photographs of injuries and the location where the attack occurred
• Review and analyze legal issues such as comparative fault and assumption of the risk that the insurance company may raise to reduce your claim
• Talk to your physicians and obtain written reports from them to support your case and fully document the extent of your injuries
• Analyze the dog owner's insurance policy to confirm coverage and identify all available sources of compensation
• Review and analyze the validity of any liens on the case asserted by doctors, insurance companies, or other parties
• Contact the insurance company to formally put them on notice of your claim
• Prepare a demand package to send to the insurance company in an attempt to settle your case
• Prepare for possible mediation and settlement negotiations
• Prepare for trial, including medical and demonstrative exhibits, witness preparation, and legal filings
• Take the case to a jury trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
• Review any verdict and provide recommendations about whether to appeal

All of this work is performed at no upfront risk to you. Iowa injury attorneys who handle dog bite cases typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are only paid if they are successful in your case. There is no cost to get started, and you will not owe attorney fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. Read more about what an attorney can do for your injury case.

Be Careful When Dealing with the Insurance Adjuster

If the dog owner has insurance coverage, your claim will be assigned to an insurance adjuster who will likely want to speak with you and review photographs of your injuries. The adjuster may ask you to provide a recorded statement. Generally, if your injuries are minor, providing basic information about your injuries and circumstances may not create significant problems. However, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured, you should strongly consider speaking with an attorney before you speak with the adjuster.

The insurance adjuster may seem friendly, but keep in mind that their job is to represent the dog owner and pay you as little as possible to close your claim. The adjuster is not your friend and is not looking out for your best interests. An attorney who has handled dog bite cases in Iowa understands these tactics and knows how to protect you from making statements that could be used to reduce the value of your claim.

Get Free Information Before You Make Any Decisions

You may have questions about whether you need an attorney, what it will cost to hire one, or how to know if what the insurance company is offering you is fair. These are important questions, and you do not need to answer them alone. A free copy of the Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites is available at no cost or obligation and covers the key insider information you need to protect your claim. It is offered at no charge because far too many injured Iowans have made avoidable mistakes simply because they did not know how the system works or how much their case was actually worth.

Iowans who have been bitten or attacked by dogs are beginning to realize that the dog owner and their insurance company are not there to help them. Before you sign anything, give a recorded statement, or accept any offer, make sure you understand your rights. A free and confidential legal consultation with an experienced Iowa dog bite attorney costs you nothing and could make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Learn what evidence you need to support a dog bite claim.