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Questions Answered by Stephen Douglas Lombardi
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: In short, is a dog owner responsible for a dog who damages material property in a home (shoes, glasses, etc)?

Initially, dog chewed shoes and inserts. Shoes were wearable so the roommate didn't pay for those, but paid for inserts.

I then tried to hide a new pair of shoes, dog found them, chewed them. I accepted some responsibility and didn't ask for her to pay for it.

I had... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Nov 15, 2017

It is the roommates responsibility to control her pets and any damage the dog does is her's to pay to repair or to replace. No if's, and's or but's about it.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Iowa - Is it illegal to record personal phone calls without the other persons consent?

I have an app on my phone that records all my phone calls. I've recently been harassed and threatened. Can I use those recorded calls in court even though I didn't have the other persons consent or knowledge of the call being recorded?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 25, 2017

Generally speaking so long as one person to a conversation has given permission, the call can be recorded. If recordings are legally obtained, so long as there is not another reason, the evidence is admissible.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Iowa rescue shelter is threatening to file a claim for breach of contract. What are my rights?

I adopted a 7 week old puppy that got severely ill within 24 hours of adoption. I took him to my vet who admitted my pup to puppy hospital. I alerted the shelter right away that he was sick and admitted. The shelter said they would do whatever they could to make it right. They offered a settlement... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 25, 2017

It is improper and may even be a crime for someone to threaten to have someone put in jail over a disputed civil matter, such as an unpaid bill. In Polk County we refer to that as extortion. The contract you signed is what governs who should pay for what and when.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: Hi I live in Iowa and my employer is from Iowa but the company he has his trucks leased to is from South Dakota .

My injury occurred in Arizona While I was about to load my trailer I hurt my back then and my leg kicked out. Do I use an attorney in Iowa where I live or South Dakota where the carrier is located?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 14, 2017

It appears you likely have a claim subject to Iowa and an Iowa lawyer would probably handle it. From the question number one seems to be true. From the little information provided I am uncertain if number two is also true. I know you live in Iowa. Do you regularly work in Iowa? Do you drive across... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Iowa, our female ran off 3 months ago, a neighbor 3 miles away has her, doesn't want to give her back, my rights?

She is a purebred and ran off after getting bred by our male. We posted her on lost dogs Iowa, used social media, called local vets and sheriff reporting her lost. They don't want to give her back and are selling the puppies. What are my rights in getting my dog back?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 13, 2017

According to the law, the dog is property. The owner can sue in District Court for the dog to be returned, via a procedure commonly referred to as a replevin. Or in small claims court for the value of the dog. Or consider reporting it to the police and asking law enforcement to assist in obtaining... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Iowa on
Q: Hi, I'm wondering if I can sue the Orthopedic doctor who failed to diagnose and treat my ankle for bone marrow edema...

You see, I fell in January of this year and broke my fibula. The orthopedist I was sent to was very impersonal from the beginning. A cast was place and I had x rays several times until the cast was removed the end of February.. my ankle was very swollen so I was given a walking boot and sent to... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 12, 2017

Probably not. It appears your damages would be limited to pain, suffering and some additional discomfort. That's not enough to warrant spending the amount of money it would take to prove that medical malpractice occurred. This even assumes any did occur which I am not convinced did. In... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Iowa on
Q: In Iowa can a lawyer take part of my weekly checks like 2 for me 1 for lawyer and so on
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 6, 2017

Yes. It sounds like you have a contingent fee agreement. One-third goes to the attorney. Unless you agreed to pay him/her by the hour. Did you?

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: I just turned 17 and my father is constantly threatening to kick me out and its happend before. what are my options?
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

Legally none. At least not as you've described the situation. Practically you could try doing what he says. After all isn't he paying the bills.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Iowa on
Q: I passed a stopped school bus and am under the age of 18 and was wondering about the consequences?

I passed a school bus accidently. I didn't see any children exiting and saw the stop sign unfolding after I passed. I slowed down immediately and later pulled over to call local schools and the dot to report the issue.

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

If the facts are as you describe them, nothing will happen. If the facts are different in terms of the timing of the sign unfolding you may receive a citation for failing to stop. Were you on your cell phone texting? It is not an excuse, at least not a valid one, but you might consider the question... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Iowa on
Q: I am a 17 year old in the state of Iowa. 18 in March. If I ran away would I be forced to come home?

I dropped out of school to work three to two jobs when my mom got sick. Back to a good full time job with $350 a week. Her boyfriend molested me and there wasn't enough evidence to arrest him so he moved back in and I moved out with my grandma. But she is just like my mom. My friends family... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

You'd better stick with Grandma until you are 18. You may not like Grandma, but so long as her house is safe, secure, warm, you have bed and there is food on the table - do your chores, go to work and re-enroll in school. Dropping out of school is never a wise decision. You have your entire... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Iowa on
Q: Minor injured at work

My brother, a minor, was injured at work and had to receive stitches. No problem there, but the employers didn't inform any of his family and released him into the care of another minor (unrelated) rather than attempting to call us or EMS. Were they allowed to release a minor into the care of... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

Hmmmm.... Interesting question. I would love to know in which industry he was working. Probably a restaurant. No matter. The kid has a workers' compensation claim; I think you know this. But your question goes to notice to the family and if there is a duty to the family, which was breached,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Son(7) threw apple over fence. Neighbor dogs fought over it. Who pays vet bill?

Ottumwa, IA

Is a seven year old really responsible for the dogs' actions though?

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Oct 4, 2017

In which state did this happen? In which town or city? Let's assume for a minute that the seven year old boy is responsible. Then the boy's parents, if they have a homeowner's policy would likely by the one paying the bills, minus any deductible.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: How do I find out if I have a qualified personal injury to tenant on property resulting in broken and no income fortenat

I live on 2nd story of 6plex. To get to the parking lot there's a cement ramp to use but in obvious visual poor maintenance for years. Ive mentioned this while living here. Many of their other properties have bad concrete walkways/stairs. I work with special population individuals that have... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

A picture is worth a thousand words. I say that quite often but mostly in the area of premise liability cases where a defect has said to cause an injury and the injured person calls us asking if we will take their case. We need to see the condition that you believe is the defect. And then we need... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for North Carolina on
Q: After getting a prescription filled and taking it I realized the pharmacist gave me the wrong medicine. What is my legal
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

I have had two or three of these cases over the past 35 years of practicing personal injury law. The answer to your question is the answer to this question: What happened to you after you took the medicine? Without knowing what happened to you, if anything, there can be no way of advising about... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: Can a step-parent along with a custodial parent file a personal injury claim on behalf of the minor children?

The child's other parent is aware of the claim. They have 50-50 custody and 50-50 physical placement. The accident happened while he was with the family that is filing. The filing step-parent holds the insurance for the minor child and they have paid 100% of the bills. Only the filing family... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

Your question is really two-fold. 1. Does a divorced parent have standing to sue on behalf of an injured child? And, 2. what damages are they entitled to be compensated? The answer to the first is yes, we call it a Rule 8 Claim. The answer to number two is not easily answered without knowing more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: Someone entered my land and fell into a whole I had dug for plantation and broke his leg and now he is suing me?
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

You owed no duty to warn a trespasser but you do owe them reasonable warnings when you are aware people use a path across your land. The answer to your question lies in the details. As the saying goes, the devil lies in the details. Your question doesn't really provide much detail and so... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Insurance Defense, Collections and Personal Injury for Iowa on
Q: Does Iowa have a code for time it takes the defendant’s insurer to issue the settlement check.
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

There is no set time, although it is normally done within a week. Of course the time depends on the terms of the settlement, the signing of paperwork, modification of the terms stated in the paperwork and the type of settlement. Is it for property damage, car rental, medical expenses, an annuity or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: Can my neighbor take my dog to the vet and give her shots when it's not her dog?

My neighbor ( who is a vet technician ) apparently found my dog. And instead of finding her owners she took her to her vet and got her shots and vaccinations. Without consent of the owner. My dog gets her collar off all the time so she didn't have it on when they found her. I just want to know... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

I fail to see how you are asking a serious question. First of all you admit the dog was running at-large, the dog was running without a collar and the dog had not been properly taken care of from a veterinarian standpoint. You are lucky the person who found it doesn't sue you to recover the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Products Liability for Iowa on
Q: Bed bug infestation from rental furniture do I have a case

I noticed what appeared to be a rash on Monday June 26, by Friday I was itching all over. I was sitting on the floor in the bed room and this bug crawled across my dark pants, I killed it, looked it up on the internet, it looked just like a picture of a bed bug. I called the apartment manager and... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Aug 31, 2017

We currently have a case almost exactly like this one out of the Quad-Cities area involving a well known rental company. Our client is getting his information together and we will be filing a claim for damages. With rental companies it all comes down to proof, meaning photographs, rental receipts,... View More

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