Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Aurora Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Aurora dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Aurora. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute And Your Aurora Claim
McCormick & Murphy are Aurora dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. If you were bitten near East Colfax Avenue, along Parker Road, or anywhere else in Aurora while you had a legal right to be where you were, this statute may apply to your case.
One of the most important features of this law is that you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. That prior-knowledge burden, which trips up many bite victims under general negligence rules, does not apply here. This makes the statute a strong tool for Aurora dog bite victims who might otherwise struggle to show the owner had reason to expect an attack.
The statute's liability covers economic damages tied to the bite. If your injury also involves scarring, pain, or other noneconomic losses, a separate negligence claim may be necessary to pursue those. We evaluate which claims fit your situation and pursue the combination that gives you the best path to full recovery.
Medical Evidence And Statutory Defenses We Examine
The statute's strongest protections apply when the bite causes serious bodily injury, meaning a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. Medical records from providers such as UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital help establish whether an injury meets this threshold. Even a bite that falls short of this standard may still support a claim under ordinary negligence principles, so we look closely at the medical picture before ruling anything out.
Owners may raise defenses built into the statute, including provocation or trespass, and the law also addresses certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when a bite happens during that work. We investigate the circumstances of the bite carefully to see whether any of these narrow exclusions genuinely apply, rather than accepting a blanket denial from an insurer. Because Aurora sits across Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, we also confirm which court has jurisdiction, often the Arapahoe County Justice Center, before moving your case forward.
- Get medical treatment and keep all records describing the injury
- Photograph wounds, scarring, and the location of the bite
- Identify the dog owner and confirm where the bite occurred
- Write down whether you were in a public place or lawfully on private property
- Avoid giving statements to the owner's insurer before speaking with us
Serving Aurora Near Parker Road, E-470, And The Arapahoe County Justice Center
Aurora spans parts of Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, which means the right court for a dog bite claim depends on exactly where the bite happened. We regularly work with cases headed to the Arapahoe County Justice Center and coordinate with clients throughout the area, including those near Parker Road and E-470, to make sure filings go to the correct venue.
Our office is based in Denver, and we handle Aurora dog bite cases from the initial consultation through resolution. We understand the mix of public parks, private residences, and business districts across Aurora where bites often occur, and we tailor our investigation to the specific location and circumstances of each incident.
Investigating Aurora Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
Aurora dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Aurora. We file in Arapahoe County Justice Center and handle cases across Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
- No Prior-Knowledge Burden: Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, you do not need to show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous behavior to establish liability for serious bodily injury or death. This differs from traditional negligence claims where prior knowledge is often central.
- Multi-County Aurora Coverage: Because Aurora spans Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, we confirm which court has jurisdiction before moving your case forward. Many cases proceed through the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver and we handle Aurora dog bite cases from initial consultation through resolution.
- Aurora Office Location Anchor: Clients meet with our team at Denver, CO — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Medical Bills, Lost Wages, And Scarring We Pursue
- Medical treatment costs tied to the bite injury
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Scarring and disfigurement, pursued through a negligence claim where applicable
- Pain and suffering under a separate negligence theory
- Future medical care if the injury requires ongoing treatment
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.
Questions We Hear From Aurora Dog Bite Victims
Do I need Aurora dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Aurora 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.
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before in Aurora?
No. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, you do not need to show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous behavior to establish liability for serious bodily injury or death. This differs from traditional negligence claims where prior knowledge is often central.
What counts as serious bodily injury under this statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. If your injury doesn't meet this threshold, you may still have a claim under general negligence law.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when I was bitten?
The statute can still apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property at the time of the bite. Lawful presence, whether in public or on private property, is a key element of the claim.
Can the dog owner argue I provoked the dog?
Yes, provocation is a defense built into the statute, along with trespass and certain situations involving working dogs or people whose job involves handling dogs. We investigate the facts of each Aurora case to determine whether these defenses genuinely apply.
Which court handles dog bite cases in the Aurora area?
Because Aurora spans Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, the applicable court depends on where the bite occurred. Many cases proceed through the Arapahoe County Justice Center, and we confirm proper venue as part of our case preparation.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss Your Aurora Dog Bite Statute Case
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