Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney
Earl & Earl Attorneys At Law
Although dogs are beloved companions to many, they can still unpredictably lash out and attack, sometimes with little warning or apparent reason.
Dog bites can result in serious injuries and lasting complications. If you’ve been attacked, you have the right to pursue compensation to support your medical treatment and recovery.
At Earl & Earl, PLLC, our Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers are ready to help you to pursue your legal claim. Our dog bite attorneys will take care of every detail of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and returning to life as normal after such a sudden and traumatic event.
Contact our experienced Colorado dog bite attorneys today for a free case evaluation. We’ll review your situation, explain your legal rights, and walk you through the next steps in pursuing your dog bite claim.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A DOG BIT INJURY IN COLORADO SPRINGS?
In Colorado Springs, a dog owner can be held legally responsible for a dog bite injury, even if the dog was under someone else’s supervision when the attack happened. This often discourages victims from filing a claim, especially if the dog belongs to a friend, family member, or neighbor. Many people hesitate because they don’t want to strain or damage a personal relationship.
What most don’t realize is that these claims are not handled by the dog’s owner directly. Instead, the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy provides liability coverage for situations like dog bite injuries.
That means if you’ve been bitten, you’re not taking action against the owner personally, you’re pursuing compensation through their insurance company. Your relationship with the dog’s owner doesn’t have to be at risk.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A DOG
If someone else’s dog has bitten you in Colorado, you can take steps to protect yourself and protect your legal rights and options by taking the following steps:
NOTIFY THE DOG’S OWNER OF YOUR INJURY IF YOU CAN LOCATE THE OWNER.
Avoid the temptation to become angry or to threaten legal action. Instead, calmly get the name and contact information from the dog owner, along with the dog’s vaccination records, if available.
SEE A DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Your doctor can examine the bite wound and diagnose any physical or structural damage you may have suffered. The doctor can also perform lab work to test for any possible infections or put you on prophylactic treatment to prevent complications from common infections from dog bites.
KEEP RECORDS OF ALL RECEIPTS, BILLS, AND INVOICES YOU RECEIVE FOR YOUR EXPENSES FROM YOUR TREATMENT.
Also, keep copies of your paystubs or income statements to reflect any lost wages or income from missed work.
MAINTAIN A JOURNAL DURING YOUR CASE.
Write down everything you recall about what happened during the dog bite or attack. This record will refresh your memory down the road. Keep entries of how your injuries and your treatment affect your personal and professional life, including the pain and difficulties they cause.
AVOID DISCUSSING THE INCIDENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
You don't want to accidentally post something that contradicts your official statements in your case.
UNDERSTANDING COLORADO SPRINGS DOG BITE LAWS
Colorado law imposes different standards of liability depending on the circumstances of a dog attack.
Colorado’s dog bite law holds dog owners strictly liable if their dog bites someone and causes serious bodily injury or death. Serious bodily injury includes conditions such as a substantial risk of death, severe or permanent disfigurement, loss or impairment of body parts or bodily functions, or broken bones.
Importantly, if you suffer one of these injuries, you do not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent, reckless, or aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
If the injury from a dog bite does not meet the “serious bodily injury” threshold—or if you are hurt in another way by a dog attack (for example, being knocked down by a large dog)—then you must prove the dog owner was negligent or reckless. This often requires showing that the dog had previously bitten or attacked someone, or that it had otherwise shown aggressive behavior the owner knew about.
Colorado law also lists several situations where the dog owner cannot be held liable for injuries caused by their dog. These include:
When the injured person was unlawfully on public or private property
When the incident occurs on the owner’s property that has clear warning signs, such as “Beware of Dog”
Injuries caused by a police or military dog in the course of official duties
When the injured person knowingly provoked the dog
When the injured person is a veterinarian, groomer, trainer, handler, humane agency staff, or dog show judge acting within the scope of their work
When the dog is a hunting, herding, or farm dog performing its duties on the owner’s property
WHAT TO EXPECT IN COMPENSATION FOR YOUR DOG BITE INJURIES
If you’ve been injured by a dog bite in Colorado, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the costs and hardships caused by your injuries. These may include:
Medical care and rehabilitation expenses
Lost wages or income during recovery
Reduced future earning ability
Diminished quality of life
Physical pain and emotional suffering
UNDERSTANDING COMPLICATIONS FROM DOG BITE INJURIES
A dog bite can lead to far more than just the initial wound. Injury victims may experience serious complications, including:
Infections – A dog’s mouth can harbor dangerous bacteria such as staphylococcus, Pasteurella, and capnocytophaga. In some cases, a bite may also transmit the rabies virus, which can be fatal within days if untreated.
Broken bones – Large breeds often have powerful bite forces strong enough to fracture bones, particularly in the hands and feet.
Nerve damage – A bite may cause lasting nerve injuries, resulting in numbness, weakness, or even paralysis.
Soft tissue damage – Ligaments, tendons, and muscles are highly vulnerable to tearing or severe injury from a bite.
Permanent scarring – Even after healing, bite wounds can leave disfiguring scars.
HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM?
In Colorado, the statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of a dog attack to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and related losses. However, if the victim is a minor, that two-year clock does not begin until their 18th birthday.
If you miss this deadline and try to file after the statute of limitations has expired, the dog’s owner and their insurance company can ask the court to dismiss your case permanently. That’s why it’s important to act quickly and consult with the experienced attorneys at Earl & Earl, PLLC, before time runs out.
HOW OUR DOG ATTACK LAWYER IN COLORADO CAN HELP
If you’ve suffered injuries from a dog bite caused by someone else’s pet, the Colorado dog bite attorneys at Earl & Earl, PLLC are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We can support you every step of the way by:
Clearly explaining your legal rights and options, then building a personalized strategy designed to achieve the results you need
Thoroughly documenting your past, present, and future medical costs and related losses to pursue the maximum possible compensation
Managing insurance claims and handling all communications with insurers, allowing you to focus on your recovery
Taking your case to trial when necessary to protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf
Contact Earl & Earl, PLLC today for a free, confidential consultation to speak to one of our Colorado dog bite attorneys about your case. Our law firm has office locations in Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Grand Junction, Denver, and Pueblo to serve injured dog bite victims and their families.
We are ready to discuss how having our firm in your corner can ensure that you seek the compensation that you deserve for your recovery.
