Johnston Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bite Lawyer Johnston, IA

If you or someone in your family was bitten by a dog in Johnston, you may be dealing with wounds that require stitches, surgery, or long-term treatment to address infection and scarring. Dog bites also produce psychological effects such as anxiety around animals, nightmares, fear of going outside that can persist for months or years, especially in children.

Our Johnston, IA dog bite lawyer at Law Group of Iowa has handled animal attack cases across Iowa for more than two decades. Iowa’s strict liability law makes the dog’s owner responsible for the harm their animal causes, and we know how to use that statute to pursue full compensation. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Choose Law Group of Iowa for Dog Bite Cases in Johnston, IA?

A Firm That Handles Dog Bite Claims Aggressively

Dog bite cases may seem straightforward on paper because Iowa’s strict liability statute is clear, but the insurance company on the other side will still contest the value of your injuries, dispute the need for reconstructive surgery, and minimize the emotional harm. We don’t let that go unchallenged.

Christopher Johnston has practiced since 2001 and handles dog bite cases, car accidents, pedestrian injuries, wrongful death claims, and civil rights matters across the state. He is admitted in Iowa, Minnesota, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, and Federal Court in Minnesota. Chris was named Up and Coming Attorney of The Year in 2007, received a Rising Star designation in 2011, and belongs to the American Association for Justice and the Iowa Bar Association.

Christopher Martineau cofounded Law Group of Iowa with Christopher Johnston and has practiced since 2003, focusing on auto accidents, construction site claims, premises liability, and wrongful death litigation. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Our firm has helped Iowa clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases, and that history gives us credibility with the homeowners insurers who handle most dog bite claims.

Iowa’s Strict Liability Statute Is on Your Side

Under Iowa Code § 351.28, a dog owner is liable for all damages when their dog attacks or attempts to bite someone. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had bitten anyone before. If the dog bit you and you were acting lawfully, the owner owes you for the harm. We use this statute as the foundation of every dog bite claim we handle in Johnston and throughout Iowa.

No Upfront Fees

We handle dog bite cases on a contingency basis. There is no retainer and no cost to get started. Our fee comes from the recovery we obtain for you, and if there is no recovery, you owe us nothing. As a personal injury attorney in Johnston, IA, we make legal representation accessible regardless of your financial situation.

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“The entire Johnston Martineau team is very understanding, helpful and really cares! They made the whole process very easy. Thank you!” — Madie Moreno-Kornberg

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Johnston

Dog attacks occur in a wide range of circumstances, and the setting of the bite affects both the liable parties and the damages that may be available. Here are the dog bite cases our attorneys handle for clients in Johnston, IA.

• Bites on private property. Many dog bites happen during visits to a friend’s home, a neighbor’s yard, or a rental property. Under Iowa’s strict liability statute, the owner is responsible for the bite regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression before.
• Attacks in public spaces. Dogs that are off-leash or inadequately restrained in parks, on trails, or along Johnston sidewalks can cause serious bite injuries to people who are simply walking or exercising nearby.
• Child dog bite injuries. Children are bitten more often than adults and tend to suffer injuries to the face, head, and neck because of their height relative to the dog. These cases frequently involve significant medical treatment and lasting psychological effects, including fear of animals that can persist well into adulthood.
• Neighbor’s dog attacks. When a neighbor’s dog bites you on or near their property, the strict liability statute applies. We handle the homeowners insurance claim and, if necessary, file a lawsuit directly against the owner.
• Landlord liability cases. A landlord who permits a tenant to keep a known aggressive dog may bear separate liability for attacks that occur in common areas of the rental property. These claims require evidence that the landlord was aware of the dog’s dangerous tendencies.
• Multiple-dog attacks. Attacks by more than one dog tend to cause the most severe injuries. Identifying every owner and pursuing separate claims against each one increases the complexity of the case but also expands the total available insurance coverage.

Iowa Legal Requirements for Dog Bite Cases

Iowa’s dog bite statute is one of the strongest in the country from the victim’s perspective. Iowa Code § 351.28 imposes strict liability on the dog’s owner for all damages when the dog attacks, bites, or attempts to bite a person. There is no “one-bite rule” in Iowa and no requirement to show the owner was careless or aware of the dog’s temperament.

The statute carves out only two exceptions. If you were committing an unlawful act that directly contributed to the bite, trespassing is the most common scenario, the owner may not be liable. And if the dog had rabies, the owner is only responsible if they had reasonable grounds to know the dog was infected and failed to prevent the attack with reasonable effort. In the vast majority of dog bite cases, neither exception applies.

Liability can extend beyond the dog’s registered owner. A person who was harboring or controlling the dog at the time of the attack like a dog-sitter, a roommate, sometimes a landlord, may also be liable under a negligence theory if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Iowa also requires that all bites be reported to local health or law enforcement under Iowa Code § 351.38, which triggers a mandatory quarantine and creates an official record of the incident.

You have two years to file a dog bite injury claim under Iowa Code § 614.1(2). For children, Iowa Code § 614.8 generally allows one year after turning 18. Iowa’s comparative fault rules under Iowa Code Chapter 668 can technically be raised if the insurer argues the victim provoked the dog, but the strict liability framework makes those defenses difficult to sustain.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Johnston Dog Bite Cases?

Dog bite injuries can range from puncture wounds to disfiguring attacks that require multiple reconstructive surgeries. The damages available depend on the severity of the bite and its lasting effects.

Economic damages include emergency room treatment, wound care, antibiotics, rabies prophylaxis, surgical procedures, and plastic surgery for scarring. If the bite caused nerve damage or impaired the function of a hand, arm, or other body part, physical and occupational therapy costs are included. Lost wages from time away from work and any reduction in future earning capacity are also part of the claim.

Non-economic damages compensate for physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety around dogs, sleep disturbance, and the loss of daily activities you enjoyed before the attack. Children who are bitten frequently develop fears that interfere with normal development and outdoor play. Iowa places no cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, and dog bite cases involving significant scarring or psychological harm often produce substantial awards.

Punitive damages are rare in dog bite cases but may be available if the owner’s behavior was willful and wanton, for instance, an owner who ignored prior complaints about an aggressive dog and allowed it to roam freely.

If a dog attack in Johnston causes a death, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim. Funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of companionship, and the grief of surviving relatives are all recoverable under Iowa law.

Contact Law Group of Iowa

If you or someone in your family was bitten by a dog in Johnston, IA, our attorneys are ready to review your case at no cost and with no obligation. We handle dog bite claims on a contingency basis, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

We will explain how Iowa’s strict liability law applies to your situation and give you an honest assessment of what your claim is worth. We are available by phone or can arrange a meeting at a time that works for you.

Contact us to speak with a dog bite attorney in Johnston about your case.