Burlington Dog Bite Lawyer
Animal Attack Legal Support in Burlington, Iowa
A dog bite may seem harmless on the surface. However, these injuries can lead to serious infections, costly medical treatment, and emotional trauma. One in five Americans is bitten by a dog each year.
When a victim becomes injured by an aggressive animal, its owner may be liable for damages that result from the accident. Some pets are more aggressive than others, but even the most docile of animals can cause harm if they feel threatened or provoked. If you suffered an animal attack, you may need a dog bite lawyer.
Understanding the Impact of Dog Bite Injuries
A dog’s teeth will compress a human’s flesh and tear the skin, resulting in bruising and often severe lacerations. The bacteria present in a dog’s mouth can lead to serious infections in bite victims. Infections are the number one concern in dog bite victims, and some immunocompromised patients are at higher risk of sustaining an infection.
In addition to damage from a dog bite, a person can also sustain injuries from deep scratches when an aggressive animal jumps onto them. In more severe attacks, a dog may bite more than once or maul a victim. Permanent disfigurement can result from more aggressive attacks. This is especially a concern for child victims. In the most severe attacks, a victim may die from infections or injuries from a canine mauling.
While the physical consequences of a dog attack are visible and clear, there are other effects a victim may face following an incident. Psychological trauma, especially in children, may result from a mauling or attack.
Immediate Steps to Take After Suffering a Dog Bite
Following a dog bite or canine attack, victims should take careful steps to improve the efficacy of a claim and prevent more severe injury side effects. If possible, a victim should report the attack to the owner of the animal. Documentation is important and can include photographic evidence and a well-maintained record of treatment.
As infection is a primary concern, a victim should clean their wounds and seek medical treatment within eight hours of the incident. Keeping a wound clean during the healing process is crucial. A victim should file a police report to ensure that the dog is properly handled and the owner is held accountable.
Finally, if a bite has resulted in psychological trauma, disfigurement, costly treatment, and lost work time, a victim should file a personal injury claim.
Calculating Your Dog Bite Claim Value in Burlington
When a lawyer determines damages in a dog bite injury case, a variety of factors are considered. The cost of medical treatment, including medical equipment, emergency room costs, follow-up visits, medications, and psychological treatment are costs typically recoverable in a claim.
Compensation for time lost from work and pain and suffering may also be recovered.
Contact Us Today for Your Dog Bite Case Evaluation: (319) 318-0450 or Send Us a Message.
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Our Case Results
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$1 Million Workers Slip and Fall
After hearing, the Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner entered an award fully in favor of the Claimant finding him permanently and totally disabled. The Decision resulted in an award with the present value of in excess of $1 million. In addition, the Defendants were ordered to pay the Claimant’s medical expenses for the remainder of his life.
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$450,000 Partial Commutation
In 2013, our client was a truck driver who was fatally injured in a tragic auto accident. He was married at the time and as a result his wife was entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits. Those benefits would end upon her death or shortly after she were to remarry. The surviving spouse was finding it difficult to live on the weekly Workers’ Compensation benefits and for other reasons wanted to have the money paid in a lump sum.
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Workers’ Comp Appeal Results in Settlement
Pothitakis Law Firm pursued this claim for in excess of three and a half years. Mr. Pothitakis conferenced with the claimant’s doctors and obtained reports over those years to put the claimant in the best position to obtain a favorable result at hearing. When the initial decision was inappropriate, Pothitakis Law Firm filed an appeal and was successful on that appeal.