Adams County · Dog bites and attacks
Brighton Dog Bite Lawyers
Brighton dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 85 and Bridge Street and across Brighton. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Dog Bite Claims in Brighton and Adams County
McCormick & Murphy are Brighton dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Brighton Police Department or the Adams County Sheriff's Office report, the Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital records, and file in the Adams County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds owners liable when a dog injures someone, even without proof of prior aggression. If you were bitten on your own property, in a public place, or while lawfully in another location, the owner is responsible for your damages. We examine the facts—where the attack happened, whether the dog was restrained, and what warnings were given—to build your claim.
Many dog attacks involve negligence as well: failure to fence a yard, failure to use a leash on U.S. Highway 85 or Bridge Street, or ignoring a known dangerous temperament. These negligence claims can increase your recovery and hold owners accountable for their carelessness. We work with the Brighton Police Department, Adams County Sheriff's Office, and animal-control records to document the incident and establish liability.
Evidence We Gather
Successful dog-bite cases rest on clear evidence of ownership, control, the attack itself, and your injuries. We obtain animal-control reports filed after the incident, vaccination records, ownership documents, and any prior complaints about the dog. Photographs of puncture wounds, lacerations, and scars taken immediately and over time are critical. Medical records from Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital and other providers show the extent of injury, infection risk, and treatment needed.
We also collect witness statements, video footage if available, and records of previous incidents involving the same dog. Insurance coverage details matter: many homeowners' and renters' policies cover dog-bite liability. Our firm coordinates with the Adams County Justice Center and relevant authorities to ensure all evidence supports your claim and maximizes your recovery.
Local investigations may involve Brighton Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office, scenes in Thornton or Northglenn, parks, trails, and residential yards.
A dog attack in Brighton—whether on U.S. Highway 85, Bridge Street, or elsewhere in Adams County—requires careful documentation. Collect and preserve:
- Scene photographs: location, fencing, signage, lighting, and ground conditions at time of attack
- Animal-control reports filed with Brighton Police Department or Adams County Sheriff's Office
- Dog ownership and registration records
- Vaccination and medical history of the dog
- Medical records from Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital or other treatment providers
- Photographs of wounds, scarring, and healing progression
- Prior incident reports or complaints about the dog's behavior
- Witness names, contact information, and written statements
- Insurance information for the dog owner or property owner
- Documentation of lost income, ongoing medical care, or emotional trauma
- Timeline of all events leading to and following the bite
Preserve all evidence immediately. Colorado's dog-bite statute and negligence laws require proof of ownership, control, where the attack occurred, and causation of injury. Early legal review ensures nothing is lost.
Medical Injury and Long-Term Impact
Dog bites cause puncture wounds that can penetrate deep tissue, damage nerves, and introduce infection—including staph and rabies risk. Even smaller bites may require urgent care, rabies prophylaxis, tetanus updates, and antibiotics. Larger attacks result in lacerations, crush injuries, and permanent disfigurement. Scarring on the face, hands, or limbs often requires multiple reconstructive surgeries and ongoing dermatologic treatment.
Beyond physical healing, dog-bite victims frequently suffer psychological trauma: fear of dogs, anxiety in public spaces, sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal. Children are especially vulnerable to lasting emotional effects. We account for all medical costs—emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, mental health counseling—and the impact on your daily life, work, and quality of time.
Official Brighton hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Compensation You May Recover
- Medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, rabies prophylaxis, infection treatment, and reconstructive procedures
- Scarring and disfigurement: pain and suffering, cosmetic repair, and psychological impact of visible injury
- Lost income and earning capacity: time away from work during recovery and long-term disability
- Emotional distress and trauma: anxiety, phobias, counseling, and reduced quality of life
- Permanent nerve or functional damage: decreased sensation, weakness, or chronic pain
- Punitive damages: when the owner's conduct was reckless or grossly negligent
We pursue these damages through negotiation and, if necessary, litigation at Adams County Justice Center.
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 Dog Bite Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Brighton dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Brighton 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 makes a dog owner liable for a bite in Colorado?
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds the owner liable if the dog injures a person in a public place or lawfully in a private place—without proof of prior dangerous behavior. We also examine negligence claims, which may apply if the owner failed to control the dog or maintain property despite knowing the dog's propensity to bite. Both legal theories may apply to your Brighton incident.
How much time do I have to file a claim after a dog bite?
The deadline depends on whether you are suing a private owner, a public entity like Brighton Police Department or Adams County Sheriff's Office, or a business. Claims against public entities carry an early written-notice requirement. Claims against private owners follow Colorado's statute of limitations. Delaying can result in lost evidence and missed deadlines. Contact us promptly for a case-specific timeline.
What damages can I recover if a dog bites me in Brighton?
Recoverable damages include medical treatment costs, scarring and permanent disfigurement, nerve injury, infection treatment, lost wages, and compensation for pain, emotional trauma, and fear of dogs. Damages vary by injury severity and evidence of the dog's prior behavior. We evaluate your full claim during a free consultation.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog bite claims?
We handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. That means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if we settle your case or win at trial. You pay no fee if we do not recover money for you. Out-of-pocket case costs—such as expert reports or filing fees—are separate and typically advanced by the firm.
What should I do immediately after a dog bite in Brighton or Adams County?
Seek medical attention at Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital or the nearest emergency room. Obtain the dog owner's name, address, and phone number. Report the bite to Brighton Police Department or Adams County Sheriff's Office and request a copy of the animal-control report. Take photographs of your injuries, the scene, and the dog if safe. Collect witness names and contact details. Then contact McCormick & Murphy for legal guidance.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Brighton 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.
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Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.