Attorneys Experienced in Dog Bite Cases

If you or a loved one have been bitten or attacked by a dog or another pet owned by someone else, you may be in need of legal services. Animal bites can cause severe pain, disfigurement, and nerve damage, and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

What do you need to know about dog bite cases?

First, you should know that the ordinances and laws that apply to animal bite cases can vary greatly from one locality to another. In the event you were a victim to a dog bite and need to know more personal information, do not hesitate to contact Dog Bite Lawyer Des Moines IA to ensure you get proper guidance.

In the meantime, here are a few general tips for what to do immediately after being bitten by a dog or other animal:

• Seek medical treatment, if necessary. You should immediately seek appropriate medical care, including any necessary emergency care, for your injury. Discuss with your medical provider whether you need a rabies shot. Also consider taking photos of your injuries as soon as you are able. This may help you prove your claim should you end up pursuing compensation for your injury in court or with an insurance company.

• Identify the animal that bit you and its owner. If you don’t already know, try to figure out the identity of the dog, the name and contact information of the dog’s owner, and where the dog lives. If you are in contact with the owner, ask for his or her homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide some coverage for your injury.

• Get the names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the attack. If there were witnesses to the attack, or if anyone helped you immediately after the incident, write down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of those witnesses. Anyone who can corroborate you account of the attack may be very helpful when proving your claim.

• Call your local animal control. Report the circumstances of your attack to your local animal control right away. Animal control may investigate your incident, let you know if the dog has been involved in any prior attacks, and potentially prevent the dog from attacking anyone in the future.

Thank you to Johnston Martineau PLLP for providing their insight and expertise on dog bite cases.