Our Practice Areas

Practice Areas

Rouse Law is a legal firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. The private practice of Attorney Ward A. (Sam) Rouse, the firm has nearly a quarter century of experience. Rouse Law focuses on personal injury and some criminal defense areas of the law and has a long record of demonstrable success. If you are searching for a personal injury lawyer or criminal defense attorney in the Des Moines region, bring your case to Rouse Law. The firm offers free initial consultations, allowing clients to meet with Mr. Rouse to get some preliminary advice about how to best pursue their case.

Rouse Law Areas of Practice

Mr. Rouse began his legal career as a prosecutor but launched his own practice during the mid-1990s to pursue what he’s most passionate about: helping people. To that end, Mr. Rouse focuses on personal injury and criminal defense cases. He has more than two decades of experience helping clients achieve their legal goals. He is a highly skilled litigator and negotiator. When representing his clients, Mr. Rouse offers customized solutions that are based on the particulars of each case. From the negotiation table to the courtroom, Mr. Rouse will aggressively pursue his clients aims throughout their legal journey.

Personal Injury Law

Rouse Law P.C. specializes in multiple areas of personal injury law. If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to fair compensation under Iowa law. Personal injury law is a broad field. Mr. Rouse focuses on cases that include the following:

If you don’t see your accident type listed here, contact the firm anyway. Mr. Rouse has experience with other cases and may be able to take on yours. If he cannot, he can recommend another personal injury attorney in Des Moines who can.

In cases that involve personal injury, Rouse Law P.C. will not charge clients legal fees unless it’s able to achieve an agreeable settlement or compensation award. Mr. Rouse knows the difficulties that accident victims go through with medical bills piling up. Unless he achieves a successful outcome, he will not send you a bill for his professional legal services. And, as always, initial consultations are free.

Personal Injury Law Practice Areas Overviews

Attorney Rouse focuses on a few areas of personal injury law. He has an in-depth knowledge of these types of cases and will put his experience to work for you. To each of these case types, Mr. Rouse brings his relentless desire to see justice done on behalf of his clients. Although a lucrative settlement or compensation package cannot undo the pain and suffering accident endure, it can alleviate some of the financial burden caused by the accident—and hold the negligent or reckless party accountable for their actions.

If you’ve been injured in any of the following types of accidents that were caused by someone else’s carelessness, recklessness, or wrong-doing, Rouse Law can help:

Car Accidents

Every year, thousands of accidents take place on Iowa roads. Many of these collisions are caused by careless, negligent, or reckless drivers. Mr. Rouse will work to hold errant drivers responsible for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash that was caused by someone else, meet with our firm to discuss your claim. You have a right to fair compensation and Mr. Rouse will pursue your right aggressively.

Truck Accidents

The drivers of big rigs are supposed to drive cautiously, but accident statistics demonstrate that this isn’t always the case. In a recent year, more than 80 people lost their lives in collisions with commercial trucks and thousands more were injured. If a truck drivers was the cause of your collision, you may be eligible for fair compensation in accordance with Iowa law. Let Rouse Law help you.

Motorcycle Injuries

Without a steel frame to surround them and air bags, motorcycles are among the most vulnerable on Iowa’s highways and byways. When a collision occurs, it’s typically the motorcyclist who suffers serious—even catastrophic—injuries. If a careless or reckless driver caused your motorcycle crash and subsequent injuries, you need experienced legal representation to press your claim. Contact Rouse Law for our free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Serious / Catastrophic Injuries

Without a steel frame to surround them and air bags, motorcycles are among the most vulnerable on Iowa’s highways and byways. When a collision occurs, it’s typically the motorcyclist who suffers serious—even catastrophic—injuries. If a careless or reckless driver caused your motorcycle crash and subsequent injuries, you need experienced legal representation to press your claim. Contact Rouse Law for our free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Wrongful Death

The untimely loss of a loved one is a devastating event. If your loved one’s death was caused by another’s negligence or wrong-doing, Mr. Rouse will fight for your right to compensation. It’s true—no settlement or compensation amount can replace a loved one, but it can alleviate some financial stress. Filing suit also forces the errant party to take responsibility for their careless actions.

Dog Bites

Every year, dogs bite millions of people. Iowa features strict dog bite laws in order to protect its citizens. If a dog bit you or your child, you have the right to seek fair compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost work wages. Contact Mr. Rouse and discuss your claim. He can provide you with a free initial consultation and preliminary advice, helping you decide whether or not to pursue your case.

Injured Workers Compensation

If you were injured at your place of employment or while on the job, you may be eligible for compensation. Iowa employers are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits. However, sometimes these benefits fall short and do not provide workers with the compensation they deserve. Sometimes workers are left unable to perform their jobs any longer due to the serious nature of their injuries. Although workers’ compensation cases can be complex, Mr. Rouse has years of experience pursuing justice for his clients.

Excessive Force (Civil Rights)

Excessive force and civil rights claims are not uncommon. From racial profiling to use of excessive force during an arrest, police or other government agents sometimes fail to act in accordance with standards. If you’ve been subject to excessive force, you may be entitled to fair compensation in accordance with Iowa laws. Bring your case to Rouse Law and discuss your situation. There’s no initial consultation fee and no obligation. If you choose to hire Mr. Rouse, he will provide you with the aggressive representation you deserve.

Criminal Defense

Attorney Rouse also handles criminal defense cases that involve:

Mr. Rouse is dedicated to providing each client with his experienced-based representation and competent legal advice. Serious criminal charges require the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you’re facing charges that relate to any of the following case types, Mr. Rouse can help:

OWI / DWI / DUI

Iowa has strict laws and mandatory penalties for drivers convicted of OWI, DWI, or DUI. Loss of driving privileges, heavy fines, and incarceration are some of the outcomes associated with these convictions. Mr. Rouse understands how to evaluate these cases from every conceivable angle in order to provide his clients with the most effective defense.

Drug Charges

Attorney Rouse has considerable experience defending clients who have been charged with misdemeanor and felony drug-related crimes in both state and federal courts. Mr. Rouse provides each client with a defense that’s customized to the particulars of their case. He will work tenaciously to provide each client with the skilled legal representation they deserve.

Federal Crime

If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Mr. Rouse has defended types of federal cases in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. He has also handled appeals of federal criminal cases to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Contact Rouse Law for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Attorney Ward A. (Sam) Rouse