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Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for an Animal Bite?

Robert Stahle • November 27, 2019
A brown dog is standing in a field with its mouth open.

Animal bites by domesticated animals are a serious issue in the United States. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 4.5 million people bitten by dogs alone every year in the United States. This number is staggering, but what’s even more so is that tens of thousands of those bites will require extensive medical care, such as reconstructive procedures or treatment for an infection.

Animal bites can be very serious, and if you’ve been bitten by a domesticated animal belonging to another person, you may be wondering if you’re entitled to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party. In most cases, the answer to this question is yes.


Personal Injury Claims and Dog Bites

Obviously, dogs aren’t the only domesticated animal that can cause injury; however they are the most common. While each state has their own laws on the books about how liability for animal bites is handled, many states, including Iowa and Nebraska, follow a strict liability law.

In both Iowa and Nebraska, pets are considered the property of their owners, meaning that the owners are fully liable for any actions of the animal. The strict liability laws in these states means that the owner is responsible for any damage caused by their animal, regardless of whether the owner believed their dog (or other pet) to be dangerous. Some states have a “free bite” law, which allows certain breeds of dogs one bite before the owner is considered liable. This isn’t the case in strict liability states.

The only exception to an injured person’s ability to successfully file a personal injury case in the event of an animal bite in a strict liability case is if it can be established that they were responsible. This might include establishing that they provoked the animal, or that they were trespassing or engaging in unlawful activity at the time of the attack. The injured person must be able to establish that they were legally allowed to be in the area where the attack occurred.


Non-Malicious Animal Bites

Sometimes an animal bite occurs during playful, non-malicious interaction with an animal. For instance, a person might be playing with a dog by tugging on its chew toy. In strict liability states, it doesn’t matter if the bite was aggressive or not. Some animal breeds are large enough that even a bite from a playful situation can demand medical care and result in medical expenses, limited mobility, and loss of income.


Inquire About a Personal Injury Claim Sooner, Rather Than Later

If you’ve suffered an animal bite, the most important thing is to seek medical attention. Secondly, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss the next steps in building a case to receive compensation. Even a minor animal bite can lead to more serious medical issues. Protect yourself, and your financial future by reaching out and contacting Fitch & Stahle Law Office to review your case today.

What Victims Should Know About Drunk Driving Injury Lawsuits in Iowa and Nebraska

By Robert Stahle • July 28, 2025
Including Dram Shop Liability

Drunk Driving Accidents & Nebraska Dram Shop Laws:

By Robert Stahle • July 16, 2025
How a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice Each year, drunk driving crashes leave thousands injured or killed—causing devastating emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Despite strict DUI laws and public awareness campaigns, impaired drivers continue to pose a serious threat across Iowa, Nebraska, and the country. For victims, the aftermath of a drunk driving accident is more than just painful—it can be life-altering. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we fight to hold negligent drivers (and sometimes even the businesses that served them) accountable under the law. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a drunk driver, we’ll explain your legal options, including how Nebraska’s Dram Shop law may play a role in your case. Why File a Drunk Driving Lawsuit? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not just illegal—it’s a reckless act that endangers everyone on the road. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired, they can (and should) be held civilly liable for the damage they cause. While a criminal DUI case focuses on punishing the offender, a civil personal injury lawsuit is about helping you rebuild. It allows you to pursue compensation for: Medical expenses (past and future) Lost wages and diminished earning capacity Pain and suffering Emotional trauma Property damage Rehabilitation costs Punitive damages (in cases of extreme recklessness) Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law: Holding Alcohol Providers Accountable Under Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law , victims of drunk driving accidents may also be able to file a lawsuit against the business or establishment that overserved the intoxicated driver. Here’s how it works: A licensed alcohol vendor (such as a bar, restaurant, or event venue) can be held liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor , and that person later caused injury or death. Nebraska law limits these claims to commercial sellers of alcohol—not social hosts. A dram shop claim can help recover damages if the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance or personal assets. This area of law is complex, and not all attorneys are familiar with how to navigate the strict requirements and timelines involved in dram shop litigation. That’s why working with a firm like Fitch & Stahle , which handles cases in both Nebraska and Iowa , is crucial. What Needs to Be Proven in a Drunk Driving Case? To recover damages in a drunk driving lawsuit, your legal team must prove the following: Duty of care – The driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely. Breach of duty – That responsibility was violated by driving impaired. Causation – The impairment directly led to the accident and your injuries. Damages – You experienced real harm—such as medical costs, lost income, or emotional distress. In dram shop cases, your lawyer will also need to demonstrate that the bar or establishment served a visibly intoxicated individual who went on to cause the crash. Why You Need a DUI Injury Lawyer in Nebraska or Iowa Drunk driving cases are rarely straightforward—especially when multiple parties may share liability. Insurance companies will often try to minimize payouts, shift blame, or dispute your injuries altogether. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we will: Preserve key evidence such as police reports, BAC results, surveillance video, and eyewitness accounts Analyze potential dram shop liability Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to build your case Identify all available sources of compensation Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies—or take your case to trial if needed Our team has deep experience with Nebraska’s unique dram shop provisions and Iowa’s liability standards. We understand what it takes to hold all negligent parties accountable. What Damages Can You Recover? Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation may include: Economic damages : Medical bills, lost income, future treatment costs, property loss Non-economic damages : Pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship Punitive damages : Intended to punish especially reckless conduct—like drunk driving In cases where dram shop liability applies, these claims can be especially valuable when the at-fault driver is underinsured or has no assets. Time Is Critical – Act Now In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury and dram shop lawsuits is typically four years , but specific timelines may apply depending on the facts of your case. Evidence like surveillance footage and eyewitness memories can fade fast—so it’s essential to speak with an attorney right away. Get Help from a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Who Understands Nebraska Dram Shop Law If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver—especially one who may have been overserved at a Nebraska bar or restaurant—you have the right to seek full and fair compensation. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we’ve helped countless clients across Sioux City , Iowa , and Nebraska recover after devastating crashes. We’ll handle the legal details so you can focus on healing. Call us today for a free consultation — and let’s start fighting for the justice you deserve.