Williamsburg Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

A dog attack near Williamsburg, Iowa can leave physical, financial, and emotional damage that takes months or years to recover from. If you have been bitten or attacked, three areas of knowledge are essential before you make any decisions about how to proceed: understanding Iowa's dog bite law and what the rules say about dogs that have bitten before, knowing exactly what not to say or do when the insurance adjuster contacts you, and understanding the full scope of what a qualified Iowa dog bite attorney will do to protect and advance your claim. This article covers all three in detail.

What you need to prove under Iowa's strict liability standard: To win a dog bite claim, you need to prove only that the dog bit you, that you suffered damages as a result, and that the defendant owns the dog. You should also demonstrate that you were not engaged in any illegal activity such as trespassing at the time of the bite. Whether the dog had bitten someone previously is not required to establish liability. Iowa law is clear that owners are responsible regardless of the dog's prior history.

Iowa ordinances declare a vicious dog to include any dog that has attacked a person, or any dog that has shown a disposition to attack, cause injury, bite, or snap at a person. If a dog has previously bitten someone and is classified as vicious under a local ordinance, the owner faces specific legal obligations about how that dog must be confined. Owners of vicious dogs must ensure the dog is kept in a house, pen, or kennel. If the dog is let out of its enclosure, it must be on a leash no more than six feet in length. Tying the dog to a tree or other inanimate object does not satisfy the confinement requirement. Ordinances vary by location, so victims and owners should review the applicable local laws. Always report a dog bite to the appropriate authorities after any incident.

People who are the victims of dog bites can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the dog's owner. Bite victims in Iowa may recover both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering and compensation for disfigurement. A prior bite history does not need to be proven to establish the owner's liability, but it can be relevant evidence when establishing the extent of the owner's knowledge and when arguing for the full scope of damages you are seeking.

If you fail to tell your doctors about every symptom and limitation you are experiencing, it will not be treated properly, and no one evaluating your claim will know about it. If you first begin to mention a problem weeks or months after the attack, the insurance company will claim that problem was not caused by the attack and will reduce their offer accordingly. Be thorough at every medical appointment from the very first visit forward.

If you are still experiencing problems and they are not improving, return to your doctor regularly. Failing to see a physician consistently is treated as evidence by the insurance company, and potentially by a judge or jury, that you have fully recovered. While you should not go to the doctor every day, you must see your doctors and tell them if you are still having problems. If your doctor says "follow up as needed," that means return in a few weeks if you are still experiencing symptoms.

Insurance adjusters spend hours in training learning techniques and specific language designed to settle claims as quickly and cheaply as possible. The adjuster does this all day, every day. When you are dealing with an insurance adjuster following a dog bite near Williamsburg, you need to be smart about every word you say because it can later be used against you. Insurance companies have lawyers and other professionals working for them. You should consider having a qualified professional working for you as well, specifically an injury attorney with experience handling dog bite and attack claims.

Often after a dog bite injury, an adjuster will offer a small amount of money in the hope that you will accept it and close the claim quickly. If you accept a settlement and sign the release forms, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to change your mind later, even if you discover your injuries were far more serious than you initially understood. For a property damage-only claim, you may be able to handle things on your own. But for a personal injury dog bite claim, the complexity and the stakes almost always make the expertise of an Iowa personal injury attorney essential to recovering the full amount you deserve.

Before you say anything to the adjuster or accept any offer: Request a free copy of the Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites, which includes 10 myths about dog bites and 6 things to know before talking to the insurance adjuster, or hiring a lawyer. It is available at no cost, no risk, and no obligation. Since 1997, attorney Corey Walker has represented hundreds of injured Iowans who were bitten or attacked by dogs and has seen too many clients make costly mistakes before having the right information.

• Educate you about Iowa dog bite laws so you fully understand your rights and options throughout the entire process
• Gather all documentary evidence, including police and animal control reports, medical records, and billing statements related to your injuries
• Hire a private investigator, when necessary, to locate and interview witnesses to the attack
• Collect additional evidence such as photographs of your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog involved
• Review and analyze all relevant legal issues, including prior bite history, any provocation or trespassing arguments the owner may raise, and how those issues apply to the specific facts of your case
• Speak with your treating physicians and obtain written medical reports that support your claim and fully document the nature, severity, and long-term prognosis of your injuries including scarring and disfigurement
• Analyze your insurance policy to identify any coverages that may help pay your medical bills while the claim is still pending
• Review and evaluate the validity of any liens asserted against your potential recovery by doctors, insurance companies, welfare benefit plans, or employers
• Contact the insurance company to formally put them on notice of your claim
• If a lawsuit is filed, prepare you, your witnesses, and your healthcare providers for depositions
• Prepare written questions and take depositions of the dog owner and other key witnesses
• Conduct scheduling conferences with the court to establish a trial date if settlement cannot be reached
• Prepare a formal demand package to send to the defendant in an attempt to negotiate a fair pre-trial settlement
• Prepare for potential mediation or pre-trial settlement negotiations
• Prepare all medical and demonstrative exhibits needed for trial
• Prepare you and your witnesses for their trial testimony
• File motions and briefs with the court to determine what evidence will and will not be admitted at trial
• Take your case to trial before a jury if a fair settlement cannot be reached prior to trial
• Review and analyze any verdict to advise you on whether valid grounds for an appeal exist
• Provide recommendations on whether to appeal the outcome of any trial

Free resource available to you: A free book, the Iowa Consumer's Guide to Dog Bites: 5 Insider's Secrets to Not Get Bitten by Your Claim, is available at no cost, risk, or obligation. You can review it from the comfort of your own home before making any decisions about your case. Attorney Corey Walker offers this resource because he has seen too many dog bite victims make costly, avoidable mistakes simply because they did not have the right information before speaking with the insurance company.