Jefferson and Adams counties · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Arvada Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Arvada dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Arvada. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute And Your Arvada Claim
McCormick & Murphy are Arvada dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property.
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when their dog causes serious bodily injury or death to someone who was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether the bite happened near Olde Town Arvada, along Wadsworth Boulevard, or on a residential street off Ralston Road. The statute does not require proof that the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone before.
Under this statute, owner liability covers economic damages such as medical costs and lost income tied to the injury. If you have scarring, pain, or other noneconomic losses, recovering for those typically requires a separate negligence claim against the owner. We evaluate both angles from the start so nothing gets left on the table.
The law also sets out defenses and exclusions, including provocation of the dog and trespass by the injured person. There are also statutory carve-outs for certain working dogs and for people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We look closely at the facts of your case to see whether any of these apply, and we do not assume exceptions the statute doesn't actually list.
What Proves Serious Bodily Injury In A Dog-Bite Case
Serious bodily injury under the statute means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. Medical records from treatment, including any care received at Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, help establish the extent of the injury and whether it meets this legal threshold. Photos of wounds, witness statements, and animal control reports also matter for showing how and where the bite happened.
If your injury does not rise to the level of serious bodily injury, you may still have a negligence claim against the dog owner. We gather the same kind of evidence, records, photos, witness accounts, and any prior incident history, to build that claim. Acting quickly to preserve this evidence gives your case the strongest foundation, whether it proceeds under the statute or under negligence.
- Photos of the injury and the scene where the bite occurred
- Contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- Medical records from any treatment you received
- Animal control or police report numbers, if one was filed
- Notes on where you were and whether you had lawful permission to be there
Was Your Arvada Dog Bite On Public Or Private Property?
We work with clients across Arvada, from Olde Town to the Wheat Ridge border, and represent bite victims whose cases fall under Jefferson County or Adams County depending on where the incident occurred. Many Jefferson County matters are handled through the Jefferson County Courts in Golden, and we're familiar with how those proceedings work for injury claims arising in this area.
Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly assist injured residents throughout the greater Arvada area, including neighborhoods near Wadsworth Boulevard and Ralston Road. Wherever your bite occurred, we come to you for the initial consultation and handle the legal work so you can focus on recovering.
Investigating Arvada Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Arvada dog bite statute lawyers representing people injured by dogs in Jefferson and Adams counties. We evaluate both statutory claims under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 and negligence claims to recover medical costs, lost income, and noneconomic losses.
- Colorado Dog-Bite Statute Coverage: The statute holds dog owners liable for serious bodily injury when victims were lawfully in a public place or lawfully on private property—whether near Olde Town Arvada, Wadsworth Boulevard, or Ralston Road. No proof of prior bites required. Economic damages include medical expenses and lost income; pain, suffering, and scarring require a separate negligence claim.
- Denver Office Serving Arvada Residents: Our office is based in Denver and we regularly assist injured residents throughout the greater Arvada area, including neighborhoods near Wadsworth Boulevard and Ralston Road. We come to you for the initial consultation and handle cases in both Jefferson County and Adams County depending on where the incident occurred.
- Arvada Office Location Anchor: Clients meet with our team at Denver, CO — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Medical Expenses And Other Losses After An Arvada Dog Bite
- Medical expenses related to treating the bite
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Scarring or disfigurement, pursued through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering, pursued through a negligence claim
- Future medical costs if the injury requires ongoing care
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Arvada — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Answers About Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute
Do I need Arvada dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Arvada dog bite statute lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The nearest office is in Denver, CO.
Does the dog owner have to have known their dog was dangerous?
No. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, you don't need to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. The statute applies based on where the bite happened and the severity of the injury, not the owner's prior knowledge.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when it happened?
The statute can still apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property, such as an invited guest. If you were trespassing, that can be a defense the owner raises against your claim.
What counts as serious bodily injury under this law?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. If your injury doesn't meet that bar, you may still have a separate negligence claim against the owner.
Can I recover for pain and suffering under the dog bite statute?
The statute itself covers economic damages like medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic losses such as pain, suffering, and scarring generally require a separate negligence claim, which we can pursue alongside the statutory claim.
Are there situations where the owner isn't liable?
Yes. The statute lists exclusions such as provocation of the dog by the injured person and trespass. It also addresses certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss Your Arvada Dog Bite Statute Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.