Dog bites can result in severe injuries, emotional trauma, and seemingly never-ending medical bills. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 dog bite victims require medical attention. After being bitten, it may feel like life will never be the same.
You do not have to face this challenge alone. The Advocates are experienced Iowa personal injury attorneys who are ready to help you on the road to recovery.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an animal attack, you need a skilled attorney for your personal injury claim. Contact the Iowa dog bite lawyers with The Advocates today for a free consultation.
Immediately after being bitten, assess your injuries
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery
Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.
For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.
Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.
Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.
The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.
Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.
When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their injuries, and we are prepared to do the same for you.
We can help you:
I was in an accident 3 years ago and had a very bad experience with the attorney back then I was in another accident last year and called the advocates mark and his team were amazing changed my view on accident attorneys they kept I'm touch with me every step of the way gave me authority on choices for myself I didn't have to go with what they said I could go against it and they still would have worked with me the same I had choices this time around I would always go with Mark I have even sent friends his way just cause I appreciate all the help and support the whole way threw.
My experience with the advocates was a good one. After being hit by a car on my motorcycle they helped me with a settlement with the insurance company to get the hospital bills paid. They were extremely helpful. They always answered any questions I had with in a day. Every email I sent was always responded to. If you unfortunately has to go through a injury by another person I would recommend them in helping you resolve any debt you have because if that injury. The Advocates were great to work with and help me get this unfortunate event behind me.
Steve and his crew at The Advocates were nothing short for amazing. They took my case after I was rear-ended resulting in neck surgery. Steve and company made sure all of the was taken care of and that I got the maximum compensation possible. I definitely recommend The Advocates
Mr. Brad Johnson, our lawyer; was Awesome! He was very informative, kept us up to date on my case with regular calls. He returned calls back to us within 24 hours or less. Brad Johnson is very courteous, honest, kind, and a pleasure to talk to and work with. There are very few Lawyers out there that could even come close to the high morals that Brad Johnson has and has shown towards us. We need more lawyers like Brad Johnson . If we ever needed a disability lawyer again in the future; it would be Brad Johnson and The Advocates Firm that he works at. We will definitely turn ALL of our family and friends towards this lawyer and firm; in a heartbeat!!!
I want to First say that I am truly thankful for the advocates Law Firm they have been a great service to me through this ordeal and Katie she is a tremendous lawyer someone that I would recommend she fights tooth and nail for her clients and the rest of the team they supported me to the fullest with that being said I would like to say for anyone who is trying to find an attorney to fight their case The Advocates is the way to go.
Any dog has the capability to bite or attack unexpectedly, but certain situations present a much higher risk than others. Dog bites are most likely to happen when:
A victim of a dog bite may suffer serious injuries after an attack. Some common injuries resulting from dog attacks include:
If you are bitten by a dog, take the following steps to keep yourself safe and protect your right to a claim:
In the city of Des Moines, dogs must either be restrained by a leash or fence or be under voice command of the owner of the dog when on the owner’s private property. When not on the owner’s property, dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
Other cities and towns, including West Des Moines, have their own laws and ordinances. It is a dog owner’s responsibility to know local laws regarding pet ownership.
In most cases, dog bites are covered by renters’ or homeowners‘ insurance policies. The dog owner’s insurance should pay for bite victims’ medical expenses up to the liability limit. After the limit has been reached, the owner of the dog is responsible for additional damages.
Unfortunately, many insurance companies will try to avoid offering you fair compensation for your damages. They may claim your injuries are not serious or try to deny liability altogether. An attorney can help protect your rights and give you a voice in negotiations.
Iowa is known as a “strict liability” state. Strict liability law means that a dog owner is responsible for a dog bite under the following circumstances:
Whether the dog has a bite history or is known to be a dangerous dog is irrelevant under Iowa law. Iowa’s dog bite statute states that the owner of a dog is responsible the first time their dog attacks.
Suppose the dog bite victim was involved in an unlawful act, such as trespassing on private property, at the time of the attack (and no attractive nuisance was involved). In that case, the owner of the dog is typically not liable for the victim’s injuries.
For any personal injury case, a plaintiff only has a certain amount of time to file their claim. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
In Iowa, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years. It is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately after you have been bitten in order to have the best chance at obtaining a settlement.
If you or a family member is facing physical pain, emotional distress, and medical expenses after a dog bite, it’s time to contact an attorney with The Advocates. Our Des Moines-based legal team is ready to take on your dog bite claim and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
When you hire an attorney with The Advocates personal injury law firm, you are never alone in the legal process. We will be there to listen to your story, provide a helping hand, and advocate for your rights.
Our number one priority is you and your family. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. You deserve an attorney who puts your best interests first. You deserve an Advocate.
