Denver, Colorado Dog Bite Attorney
Earl & Earl Attorneys At Law
Dogs are cherished companions, but even the friendliest pet can bite or attack without warning. For victims, a dog bite can cause severe injuries, dangerous infections, and long-term complications that require immediate medical treatment.
If you or someone you care about has been bitten in Denver, Colorado, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with recovery.
An experienced Denver dog bite lawyer can protect your rights and guide you through each step of the legal process. From handling paperwork and negotiating with insurance companies to meeting strict legal deadlines, a skilled attorney allows you to focus on healing while they fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call today for a free case evaluation with a Denver dog bite attorney. You’ll get straightforward answers to your questions, a clear explanation of your legal options, and a personalized strategy for pursuing the justice and financial recovery you need.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury in Denver?
In Denver, Colorado, a dog’s owner can be held legally responsible for a dog-bite injury—even if the dog was in the care of someone else at the time of the incident. Understandably, many victims hesitate to take legal action when the dog belongs to a family member, friend, or neighbor, fearing that filing a claim could strain personal relationships.
What many people don’t realize is that dog-bite injury claims in Denver are typically not paid out of the dog owner’s pocket. Instead, these claims are usually handled through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, which includes liability coverage for situations like dog bites.
This means that if you suffer a dog bite in Denver, filing a claim doesn’t mean targeting the dog’s owner directly. You’re pursuing compensation through their insurance provider—allowing you to recover medical expenses and other damages while protecting your relationship with the dog’s owner.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A DOG
If you’ve been bitten by someone else’s dog in Denver, Colorado, it’s crucial to act quickly to safeguard your health and protect your legal rights. Here are the essential steps to take right away:
1. Notify the Dog’s Owner (If Possible)
If you can identify the dog’s owner, calmly ask for their name, contact details, and the dog’s vaccination history. Don’t argue or threaten legal action at the scene—keeping the interaction professional will help you secure the information you’ll need for your records.
2. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Dog bites can lead to more than just visible wounds. Visit a Denver healthcare provider as soon as possible to evaluate the injury, check for tissue or nerve damage, and determine whether you need preventive care for infections such as rabies or tetanus. Even if the bite looks minor, timely medical care is essential.
3. Track All Medical Expenses and Losses
Hold onto all receipts, bills, and invoices related to your treatment. If the injury forces you to miss work, save pay stubs or income statements to verify lost wages. Detailed documentation will strengthen your case if you pursue compensation.
4. Keep a Personal Recovery Journal
Write down the details of the incident as soon as you can, including how and where the dog bite occurred in Denver. Continue journaling throughout your recovery, noting pain levels, emotional distress, and any impact on your daily life or career. These records can serve as persuasive evidence later.
5. Avoid Posting on Social Media
Do not share details of the bite or your case online. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often review social media accounts to find inconsistencies. Protect your claim by keeping the matter private.
UNDERSTANDING COLORADO DOG BITE LAWS
If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog in Denver, Colorado, it’s important to understand how Colorado’s dog bite laws apply. The state uses different liability standards depending on the circumstances of the incident, and knowing these rules can make a major difference in how you seek compensation.
Strict Liability for Serious Injuries
Under Colorado’s dog bite statute, a Denver dog owner can be held strictly liable if their dog causes serious bodily injury or death. Serious bodily injury refers to harm that creates a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, loss or impairment of a body part or function, or broken bones. In these situations, you do not need to prove that the dog’s owner acted negligently, recklessly, or even knew the dog had dangerous tendencies. This law is designed to make recovery more straightforward for victims of severe attacks.
Negligence in Other Situations
Not every dog-related injury in Denver involves life-threatening harm. If a dog bite does not result in serious bodily injury or death—or if you are hurt in another way by a dog (for example, being knocked over by a large dog)—you may still have a valid claim. In these cases, you must prove negligence or recklessness on the part of the dog’s owner. This often means showing that the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner knew about the dog’s dangerous behavior and failed to act responsibly.
When Dog Owners Are Not Liable
Colorado law also identifies clear exceptions where a Denver dog owner may not be held liable for injuries. These include situations where the injury occurs:
While the victim is unlawfully on public or private property
On the owner’s property where warning signs such as “Beware of Dog” are posted
By a police or military dog performing official duties
After the victim knowingly provokes the dog
When the victim is a veterinarian, groomer, trainer, handler, or similar professional working with dogs as part of their job
By a hunting, herding, or farming dog performing its duties on the owner’s property
WHAT TO EXPECT IN COMPENSATION FOR YOUR DOG BITE INJURIES
If you’ve suffered a dog bite injury in Denver, Colorado, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial toll it has taken on your life. Pursuing a claim could help you recover damages such as:
Medical treatment and rehabilitation to cover emergency care, follow-up visits, surgeries, and ongoing therapy.
Lost wages and income if your injuries prevent you from working during your recovery.
Reduced earning capacity if long-term effects limit your ability to return to your previous work or career path.
Diminished quality of life caused by permanent scarring, mobility challenges, or other lasting limitations.
Pain and suffering, including both physical pain and the emotional distress that often follows a traumatic injury.
UNDERSTANDING COMPLICATIONS FROM DOG BITE INJURIES
Dog bite injuries in Denver, Colorado can result in far more serious consequences than the immediate wound. Beyond the initial pain and trauma, victims often face complications that affect their health, mobility, and overall quality of life. Some of the most common complications from a dog bite injury include:
Infections – Dogs’ mouths can carry dangerous bacteria such as staphylococcus, Pasteurella, and capnocytophaga. In addition, bites may sometimes transmit rabies, a viral infection that can turn fatal within days if not treated quickly.
Broken Bones – Larger breeds frequently found in Denver’s neighborhoods and surrounding Front Range communities can exert enough bite force to fracture bones, especially in the hands, feet, or other vulnerable areas.
Nerve Damage – Severe bites can damage nerves, leaving victims with persistent numbness, weakness, or even partial paralysis.
Soft-Tissue Damage – Muscles, ligaments, and tendons may be torn, leading to long-term pain, loss of strength, and reduced mobility.
Permanent Scarring – Dog bites often leave visible scars or disfigurement, serving as lasting reminders of the traumatic event.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Denver, Colorado, it’s essential to seek immediate medical care to reduce the risk of infection and other serious complications. You may also wish to explore your legal options to pursue compensation and ensure the best path forward in your recovery.
HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM?
In Denver, Colorado, dog bite victims need to be mindful of the state’s statute of limitations. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If the victim is a minor, that two-year window doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday, providing extra time to pursue justice.
Delaying legal action can have serious consequences. Once the statute of limitations expires, the dog owner and their insurance company can ask the court to permanently dismiss your claim. That’s why it’s critical to act quickly and consult with an experienced Denver dog bite attorney who can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and make sure your claim is filed on time.
HOW OUR DOG ATTACK LAWYER IN Denver, COLORADO CAN HELP
If you’ve suffered a dog bite in Denver, Colorado, caused by someone else’s dog, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. An experienced Denver dog bite lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and related expenses by:
Explaining Your Legal Rights and Options – We’ll walk you through Colorado’s dog bite laws and develop a strategy tailored to your situation and goals, ensuring you understand every step of the process.
Documenting Your Damages – From medical bills and lost income to ongoing treatment needs and emotional distress, we carefully assess and document the full extent of your losses to seek maximum compensation.
Handling Insurance Companies – Our team manages all communication and negotiations with insurers so you can focus on your health and recovery without the added stress of dealing with adjusters.
Fighting for a Fair Outcome – If negotiations don’t result in a just resolution, we are prepared to take your case to trial and advocate vigorously for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Earl & Earl, PLLC today for a free, confidential consultation with one of our Denver dog bite attorneys. We are ready to protect your rights and help you seek the compensation you need to recover.
