El Paso County · Homeowner's insurance
Briargate Dog Bite Insurance Lawyers
Bitten by a dog in Briargate? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Insurance Fits Into a Briargate Dog Bite Claim
When a dog bites someone in Briargate, the claim is usually presented to the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy. That policy, not the owner's personal bank account, is typically what pays a settlement or judgment. But not every policy covers dog bites, and we do not assume coverage exists until we have looked at the actual policy language.
Some homeowner and renter policies contain exclusions. An insurer may try to deny coverage because of the breed of dog, because the dog has a documented history of biting before, or because the dog was being used for some business purpose at the time of the bite. What the policy says controls the outcome, not a general assumption about what insurers usually do. We read the policy closely rather than guess at what it excludes.
Our job is to identify the applicable policy, request a copy of it, and evaluate what it actually says about coverage for this incident. That includes looking at any exclusions the insurer might raise and deciding whether they genuinely apply to the facts of the bite that occurred.
When a Claim Gets Denied or Delayed
Sometimes an insurer denies a claim outright, or it delays a decision for months without a clear answer. A denial or a long delay can raise a legitimate coverage question worth examining. It does not automatically mean the insurer acted in bad faith. Every denial is different, and we look at the specific reasons given before drawing conclusions.
In a proper case, an insurer's handling of a claim, not just the underlying bite, can become part of what we examine. That requires looking at the correspondence between the client and the insurer, the stated reasons for denial or delay, and whether those reasons match what the policy actually allows. We do not treat every slow or unfavorable response as evidence of wrongdoing, but we do take a hard look at the record.
- Any letter or email from the dog owner's insurance company
- The name of the insurance company if the owner mentions it
- Photos of the injury and the location where the bite happened
- Contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- Records from any medical treatment received, including at UCHealth Memorial Hospital North
Briargate and the Surrounding Area
Briargate sits along the I-25 corridor near Briargate Parkway and Research Parkway, with neighborhoods extending toward North Gate Boulevard and up toward Monument. Dog bite incidents here can happen on residential streets, in parks, or near the retail and business areas that line these corridors. Wherever the bite occurs, the analysis often comes back to the same question: what insurance policy applies, and what does it say.
A case arising from a bite in Briargate would typically proceed through El Paso County Combined Courts if litigation becomes necessary. We meet with clients from this area at our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, and we handle the insurance review and correspondence so clients do not have to negotiate directly with an adjuster.
What a Claim May Address
- Medical treatment related to the bite
- Scarring or disfigurement from the injury
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering connected to the incident
- Future medical needs tied to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Briargate — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Briargate Homeowner's insurance FAQ
Does every homeowner's policy cover dog bites?
No. Coverage depends on the specific policy language, and some policies contain exclusions. We review the actual policy before assuming coverage applies to your situation.
Can an insurer deny a claim because of the dog's breed?
Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a known bite history, and the insurer may point to that language. Whether the exclusion actually applies depends on the specific policy and the facts of the case.
What happens if the insurance company delays responding to my claim?
A long delay can raise a legitimate question about how the claim is being handled. We look closely at the insurer's communications and reasoning rather than assuming the delay means something on its own.
Is a denied claim the same as bad faith?
Not automatically. A denial only becomes a bad faith issue in certain circumstances, and we evaluate the insurer's stated reasons before drawing that conclusion.
What if the dog owner rents rather than owns their home?
Renter's insurance policies can also provide coverage for a dog bite, depending on their terms. We look at whatever policy is in place, homeowner or renter, to determine what applies.
Discuss a Briargate dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.