Boulder County · Dog Bites and Attacks
Boulder Dog Bite Lawyers
Boulder dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 36 and across Boulder. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Boulder Dog Bite Claims Under Colorado's Strict-Liability Law
McCormick & Murphy are Boulder dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Boulder Police Department or the Boulder County Sheriff's Office report, the Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital records, and file in the Boulder County Justice Center.
Colorado law holds a dog owner strictly liable for injuries caused by a dog bite, even if the owner did not know the dog was dangerous. This strict-liability rule applies when a person is injured by a dog that was not trespassing and the victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. We build your claim by establishing ownership or control of the dog and documenting how and where the attack happened.
Beyond the strict-liability statute, we also investigate whether the owner or handler was negligent—for example, by leaving a dog unsecured near a walking trail on Foothills Parkway, failing to warn of known aggression, or violating local leash laws. Incidents along U.S. Highway 36, Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, and in neighborhoods throughout Boulder and nearby towns like Louisville and Lafayette often involve questions of foreseeability and prior behavior that strengthen a negligence claim.
Investigating Boulder Dog Bite Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Boulder dog bite lawyers who obtain Boulder Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff's Office reports, Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital records, and file at the Boulder County Justice Center.
- Local Evidence Collection: We gather animal-control reports from Boulder Police Department or Boulder County Sheriff's Office, vaccination records, licensing information, witness statements, and photographs of wounds. Investigations may involve scenes in Lafayette, Superior, parks, trails, and residential yards throughout Boulder County.
- Denver Office Serves Boulder: 60+ years combined experience handling claims under Colorado's strict-liability dog bite statute and negligence theories for incidents on U.S. Highway 36, Foothills Parkway, Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, and across Boulder County.
- Boulder Office Location Anchor: Clients meet with our team at Denver, CO — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Evidence That Supports Your Boulder Dog Bite Claim
Animal-control reports filed with the Boulder Police Department or Boulder County Sheriff's Office are crucial. These documents record the initial incident, the dog's vaccination status, owner information, and any history of aggression. We also obtain veterinary records, licensing information, and insurance details that may cover the claim. Photographs of wounds taken immediately and over time show the severity and permanence of scarring.
Medical records from Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital and any emergency or follow-up care establish the full scope of injury and treatment. We collect witness statements, GPS data or timing evidence showing where the attack occurred, and any prior-incident reports involving the same dog. Insurance coverage verification helps us identify the sources of compensation available to you.
Local investigations may involve Boulder Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, scenes in Lafayette or Superior, parks, trails, and residential yards.
Gather and preserve the following to support your dog bite claim:
- Identification of the dog owner and anyone who controlled the dog at the time
- Proof of dog ownership and registration with Boulder County or the city
- Vaccination records and any animal-control reports filed with Boulder Police Department or Boulder County Sheriff's Office
- Photographs of bite wounds, scarring, and any visible injuries (taken immediately and over time)
- Medical records from Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital or your treating provider, including wound treatment, infection risk assessments, and any follow-up care
- Documentation of all medical expenses and lost income due to recovery or additional treatment
- Witness statements from people who saw the attack or have information about the dog's prior behavior
- Prior incident reports or complaints about the dog's aggression
- Insurance information for the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's policy
- Location details: the street (U.S. Highway 36, Foothills Parkway, Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, or nearby areas) and whether the attack occurred on public or private property
- Written communication with the dog owner, landlord, or property manager acknowledging the incident
- Records showing any emotional distress, trauma, or ongoing fear related to the incident
- Expert evaluation of scarring or permanent disfigurement if applicable
Filing At The Boulder County Justice Center: Medical Proof That Matters
Dog bites frequently cause puncture wounds, tissue damage, and infection that require emergency care, stitches, and antibiotics. Some bites damage nerves or tendons, leading to loss of function or chronic pain. Scarring—especially on the face, hands, or arms—can be permanent and affect appearance and confidence for years.
Beyond physical injury, dog-bite victims often experience anxiety, hypervigilance, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress. Children may develop behavioral changes or avoidance of outdoor activities. We document these psychological effects through mental-health treatment records and expert testimony to ensure they are reflected in your damages claim.
Official Boulder hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Future Care And Other Damages In A Boulder Dog Bite Claim
- Medical expenses: emergency room, surgery, wound care, antibiotics, and follow-up treatment
- Scar revision or cosmetic procedures to minimize permanent disfigurement
- Lost wages or loss of earning capacity if the injury prevented work
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
- Reconstructive or plastic surgery consultation and treatment
- Ongoing mental-health counseling or therapy for trauma and anxiety
We present your claim at the Boulder County Justice Center or to the responsible owner's insurance carrier, seeking full recovery for all documented losses.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Boulder — 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.
Your Boulder Dog Bite Questions Answered
Do I need Boulder dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Boulder 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 law say about dog bite liability?
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds a dog owner strictly liable for damages if the dog bites or injures someone in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the owner's property. Strict liability means you do not have to prove the dog was known to be dangerous—ownership of the dog that caused the injury is enough. Additionally, you may have a separate negligence claim if the owner failed to control the dog or knew of dangerous propensities. A dog bite lawyer in Boulder can evaluate both statutory and negligence theories for your case.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Boulder County?
The deadline depends on the type of claim and who is responsible. For claims against a private dog owner, Colorado's general injury statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of the bite. However, if the dog owner is a public entity or employee, there is often an early notice requirement—you may need to file written notice within a shorter period. Given the complexity and potential early deadlines, contact McCormick & Murphy promptly to review your specific situation and ensure you meet all requirements.
What damages can I recover in a dog bite case?
You can seek compensation for medical treatment and emergency care at Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital or other providers, surgical repairs or skin grafts, ongoing wound care, scarring or permanent disfigurement, infection treatment, lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering, emotional distress and trauma, and any future medical needs. The amount depends on the severity of injury, the extent of scarring, impact on your daily life, and available insurance coverage.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog bite cases?
McCormick & Murphy handles dog bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. That means the firm earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You do not pay legal fees upfront. Case costs—such as obtaining medical records, expert reports, or investigation expenses—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you in advance.
What if the dog attack happened near Louisville, Lafayette, or another nearby area—can I still file in Boulder County?
It depends on where the attack actually occurred and who owns the dog. If the dog owner lives in Boulder County or the attack happened within Boulder County (including in Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Longmont, or Broomfield if they are in the county), Boulder County courts may have jurisdiction. The location also affects which police or sheriff's office investigated and which animal-control records apply. McCormick & Murphy can clarify jurisdiction and the proper venue for your claim based on the facts.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Boulder 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 Boulder Dog Bite Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.