Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties · Dog bites and attacks
Aurora Dog Bite Lawyers
Aurora dog bite lawyers for bites on East Colfax Avenue and E-470 and across Aurora. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Dog Bite Claims Under Colorado Law
McCormick & Murphy are Aurora dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Aurora Police Department report, the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital records, and file in the Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds a dog owner liable for injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. The owner's negligence or failure to control the animal is not required to prove a bite claim—only that the dog caused injury. However, many attacks also involve separate negligence claims based on how the owner managed the dog in high-traffic areas like East Colfax Avenue, Parker Road, E-470, or neighborhoods across Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties.
We investigate whether the dog was restrained, whether the owner was present and attentive, and whether prior incidents or warnings should have alerted the owner to danger. We also examine medical records from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital or other emergency care to document the severity of wounds, infection risk, and surgical repair. Your claim can include compensation for both the immediate bite injury and ongoing consequences like scarring, nerve damage, or psychological trauma.
Evidence We Gather
We obtain Aurora Police Department incident reports, animal-control records, and any prior complaints or citations against the dog owner. Vaccination records and ownership documentation establish liability. Photographs of wounds taken immediately after the attack and during healing are critical to prove the extent of injury. Witness statements from neighbors or bystanders who saw the attack help establish the dog's behavior and the owner's awareness.
Medical records from emergency treatment, follow-up visits, and any surgical procedures document the injury's severity and treatment costs. We also request insurance reports and coverage details from the owner's homeowner's or renter's policy. Evidence of prior bites, aggressive behavior, or escape attempts strengthens a claim and may support punitive damages in the county justice center where the case is filed.
Local investigations may involve Aurora Police Department, scenes in Denver or Commerce City, parks, trails, and residential yards.
After a dog bite in Aurora, Centennial, or nearby areas, gather:
- Dog ownership and control information (name, address, phone)
- Vaccination and licensing records for the dog
- Animal Control report filed with Aurora Police Department
- Photographs of injuries taken immediately and over time
- Medical records from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital or your provider
- Hospital or clinic billing statements and receipts
- Prescription records for antibiotics, pain medication, or other treatment
- Names and contact information for witnesses at the scene
- Written witness statements if available
- Police report filed in Arapahoe County (or the county where the bite occurred)
- Evidence of prior incidents involving the same dog
- Documentation of lost wages or time off work
- Psychological or counseling records if trauma occurred
- Insurance information for the dog owner's homeowners or renters policy
- Photographs of the location where the bite happened (street, park, property)
- Text messages, emails, or other communication with the dog owner
- Medical follow-up appointments and scar progression notes
Medical Injury and Long-Term Effects
Dog bites create puncture wounds that carry high infection risk, including staph, streptococcus, and sometimes rabies exposure. Even without deep puncture, a bite can tear skin and muscle, requiring stitches, antibiotics, or emergency wound cleaning. Some bites involve the face, hands, or joints—areas where scarring and loss of function cause lasting harm. Nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, or permanent loss of sensation in the bitten area.
Psychological injury is common after a dog attack: anxiety, fear of dogs, nightmares, and avoidance of public spaces like parks or neighborhoods where the attack occurred. Children are especially vulnerable to long-term behavioral changes and phobias. We work with your medical providers to document all injuries—visible and invisible—so that settlement or judgment accounts for both immediate costs and future care.
Official Aurora hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Compensation for Your Injuries
- Medical bills: emergency care, stitches, antibiotics, imaging, and any surgical repair or reconstruction
- Scarring and disfigurement: plastic surgery, scar revision, camouflage treatments, and diminished appearance
- Infection and complications: extended antibiotic therapy, hospitalization, or treatment of systemic infections
- Lost wages and earning capacity: time off work during recovery and reduced income due to permanent injury or psychological effects
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma: fear, anxiety, nightmares, and psychological counseling or therapy
- Permanent functional loss: reduced range of motion, chronic pain, or loss of use in the bitten area
A jury or settlement negotiator in Arapahoe County Justice Center will consider the full scope of your losses when evaluating the owner's liability and the insurance coverage available.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Aurora — 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.
Aurora Dog Bite Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Aurora dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Aurora dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
What does Colorado's dog-bite law require to hold a dog owner liable?
Colorado law holds a dog owner strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog if the victim is in a public place or lawfully in a private place. This means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. However, you must show the dog caused the injury. If the bite occurred on private property without permission, or if you provoked the dog, different rules may apply. We review the specific circumstances of your case to determine liability.
What is the deadline to file a dog bite claim in Aurora?
The deadline depends on the type of claim and who you are suing. For claims against a private dog owner, Colorado's statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the bite. However, if the dog owner or property is a public entity, you must file a written notice of claim much earlier—typically within a few months. Delays can result in losing your right to recover. Contact us promptly to determine the deadline for your situation.
What damages can I recover for a dog bite?
You may recover medical expenses (hospital bills, surgery, ongoing treatment), scarring and disfigurement, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress or trauma. If the dog bite caused infection, nerve damage, or required reconstructive surgery, damages can be substantial. We also examine whether homeowners or renters insurance covers the attack. Settlement and jury awards vary based on the severity of injury, permanence of scarring, and impact on your quality of life.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog bite cases?
We handle dog bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. This means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if we settle your case or win at trial. You pay nothing upfront for legal fees. Court costs and case expenses (such as medical records and expert reports) are separate and will be discussed during your consultation. If we do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fees.
Where do dog bite cases in Aurora get filed?
Dog bite lawsuits are filed in Arapahoe County Justice Center or the court serving the county where the bite occurred. If the incident happened in neighboring Centennial, Parker, or Greenwood Village, the case may be filed in a different county court. Animal control reports are filed with the Aurora Police Department. We handle all filings and court procedures on your behalf.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Aurora dog-bite claims
Colorado dog-bite statute
Owner liability under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 when a bite causes serious bodily injury.
Child dog-bite injuries
Bites to minors, who may bring the claim, and scarring that shows up as a child grows.
Landlord liability
Apartment, rental, and HOA cases where the dog owner is not the only possible defendant.
Non-bite dog attacks
Knockdowns, chases, and other attacks that are not a bite under the statute.
Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Public paths, parks, and attacks away from the owner's home.
Facial scarring
Disfigurement, infection, nerve injury, and reconstructive care after a bite.
Homeowner's insurance
Homeowner and renter coverage, breed exclusions, and delayed or denied claims.
Fatal dog attacks
Death from a dog attack, and how that claim connects to Colorado wrongful-death law.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss your Aurora claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.