Adams County · Child dog-bite injuries
Brighton Child Dog Bite Lawyers
If a dog bit your child in Brighton, we can help. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Child's Dog Bite Case Qualifies
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a child who was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property suffers a serious bodily injury from a bite. That standard focuses on where the child had a right to be and how serious the injury was, not on the child's age alone.
We look closely at what the child was doing at the time of the bite and whether the statute fits, or whether a negligence claim against the owner or a property holder makes more sense given the facts. Every case is different, and the right legal theory depends on those details rather than an assumption about how young or old the child was.
Because a minor cannot bring a legal claim on their own, a parent or guardian typically needs to be involved in bringing or managing the case. We can walk your family through what that looks like once we know the specifics of what happened.
Documenting a Child's Injury Over Time
Scarring on a child, especially to the face or other visible areas, can change as the child grows and may require more than one stage of treatment over time. We want to see records from every visit, not just the first, because a single snapshot often does not capture how the injury develops.
It matters to understand that noneconomic losses like scarring and disfigurement are not automatically covered simply because the statute applies to the physical injury. In many cases, recovering for those losses means also pursuing a negligence claim, so we look at the full picture of what the child experienced and what records exist to support it.
- Photos of the injury and any scarring as it heals over time
- Medical records from every follow-up visit, not just the first
- Notes on how the child was acting and what they were doing when the bite happened
- Contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident
- Any communication with the dog owner, animal control, or their insurer
Handling Child Bite Cases in Brighton and Adams County
Families in Brighton, along Bridge Street, near Bromley Lane, or in nearby Commerce City and Thornton bring us these cases when a child was bitten in a yard, a park, or another spot they had every right to be. We look at where the bite happened and gather details from the scene, whether that's near U.S. Highway 85 or a quieter residential block.
If a case moves forward in court, it would typically be filed at the Adams County Justice Center. Children treated after a bite in this area are often seen at Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital, and those records become part of the file we build to support your child's claim.
What a Child's Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment, including follow-up care as the child grows
- Future treatment or revision procedures tied to scarring
- Pain and suffering, where a negligence claim applies
- Scarring and disfigurement, where a negligence claim applies
- Related costs the family incurred because of the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Brighton — 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.
Brighton Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite case move forward even if they were on the dog owner's property?
Yes, if the child was lawfully on that property when the bite happened, the case can still fall within the statute. What matters is whether the child had a right to be there and whether the injury was serious. We review the specific circumstances to see how the law applies.
Does it matter what my child was doing right before the bite?
We do look at what the child was doing, since that helps us understand whether the statute applies or whether a negligence claim is the better fit. This is not about assuming a child did something wrong. It's about building an accurate picture of what happened.
Will my child's scarring be covered automatically?
Not automatically. The statute covers the underlying injury, but noneconomic losses like scarring often require pursuing a negligence claim alongside it. We can explain how that works once we know more about the injury.
Do I need to file the claim myself since my child is a minor?
In general, a parent or guardian needs to be involved in bringing or managing a claim on behalf of a minor. We don't want to guess at exact court procedures here, but we can guide your family through what's needed once we take on the case.
What if my child's scar needs more treatment later as they grow?
That's common with scarring in children, since a single treatment stage may not be the end of it. We want records from ongoing care so that future treatment needs are properly documented and considered.
Discuss a Brighton dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.