Boulder County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Boulder Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Boulder dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Boulder. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute: Liability Without Prior-Bite Proof in Boulder
McCormick & Murphy are Boulder dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Boulder 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. This applies whether the bite happened on Arapahoe Avenue, along Broadway, or anywhere else in Boulder where you had a legal right to be.
A key feature of this statute is that you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. That removes a hurdle that exists in many other states, where a victim has to show prior knowledge of a dog's dangerous tendencies before the owner can be held responsible.
The statute covers economic damages tied to the bite. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses generally require a separate negligence claim built on the same facts. We look at both angles from the start so a serious injury is not underclaimed.
Medical Proof And Statutory Exclusions In Boulder Dog-Bite Claims
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 providers such as Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital help establish the extent and nature of the injury. A bite that does not meet this threshold may still support a negligence claim, so the medical picture matters from day one.
Defenses like provocation or trespass can come up, along with statutory exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs at the time of the bite. We gather scene photos, witness accounts, animal control records, and medical documentation early so these issues can be addressed with facts rather than assumptions.
- Get medical care and keep all records and bills
- Photograph the injury, the location, and the dog if safe to do so
- Get the dog owner's name, address, and contact information
- Report the bite to local animal control
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with us
Serving Boulder County From Arapahoe Avenue To U.S. Highway 36
We handle dog bite claims arising throughout Boulder County, including areas near Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, and along U.S. Highway 36 connecting Boulder to Louisville and Lafayette. Cases that proceed in litigation are typically filed at the Boulder County Justice Center.
Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly work with Boulder-area clients by phone, video, and in person as needed. We coordinate with local medical providers and gather evidence from the scene regardless of where in Boulder County the bite occurred.
Investigating Boulder Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Boulder dog bite statute lawyers serving clients throughout Boulder County. Colorado's statute allows liability without proving prior bite history when serious injury occurs in public or lawfully on private property.
- Statute Does Not Require Prior-Bite Proof: Colorado's dog-bite statute can hold an owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death, even if you cannot prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. This removes a hurdle that exists in many other states.
- Denver Office Serves Boulder County Cases: The firm's office is based in Denver and works with Boulder-area clients by phone, video, and in person as needed. Cases that proceed in litigation are typically filed at the Boulder County Justice Center.
- Boulder Office Location Anchor: Clients meet with our team at Denver, CO — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Economic Losses In A Boulder Dog-Bite Claim
- Medical expenses for treatment of the bite
- Future medical costs for ongoing care or revision procedures
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering under a negligence claim
- Scarring and disfigurement damages under a negligence claim
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.
Clear Answers On Boulder's Dog-Bite Statute
Do I need Boulder dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Boulder 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?
No. Under Colorado's dog-bite statute, you do not need to show the owner knew about a prior bite. This is different from many states that require proof of the dog's known dangerous history.
What counts as a serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. A bite that does not reach this level may still support a claim under ordinary negligence principles.
Can I recover for pain and suffering under the dog-bite statute?
The statute itself is generally directed at economic damages. Pain, suffering, and scarring often need to be pursued through a separate negligence claim based on the same incident.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when it happened?
The statute can apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property at the time of the bite, not just in a public place. Whether you were lawfully present is a key fact we examine early.
Are there situations where the owner is not liable under the statute?
Yes. Provocation and trespass are recognized defenses, and the statute also lists exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We review the specific facts to see whether any of these apply.
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Discuss Your Boulder Dog Bite Statute Case
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