Douglas County · Child dog-bite injuries
Castle Rock Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A dog bite to a child in Castle Rock is a different case than an adult claim. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
How Colorado Law Treats a Child Bitten by a Dog
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a child was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property and the bite caused serious bodily injury. We look closely at where the child was and what they were doing at the time, since that shapes whether the statute applies or whether we need to build the case around negligence instead.
We don't assume a child can't be found to have provoked a dog, and we don't apply an age cutoff that isn't in the law. Instead we gather the facts of what actually happened, including who was supervising, where the dog was kept, and what led up to the bite, and we fit the claim to the law that matches those facts.
Because the injured person is a minor, a parent or guardian typically needs to be involved in bringing or managing the claim on the child's behalf. We walk families through what that involvement looks like for their specific situation rather than assuming one procedure fits every case.
Documenting a Child's Injury as It Changes Over Time
A child's bite injury doesn't always look the same at six weeks as it does at six months. Facial and body scarring in a growing child can require more than one round of treatment, and we work to document that trajectory rather than settling a claim based on an early snapshot of the injury.
It's also worth understanding that scarring and other noneconomic losses are not automatically covered just because the statute applies. In many cases, recovering for those losses means building a negligence claim alongside or instead of relying on the statute, which is why the specific facts of the incident matter so much from the start.
- Photos of the wound taken soon after the bite and again as healing progresses
- Names and contact information for any adults who witnessed the incident
- Medical records from every visit, including follow-up or specialist appointments
- Information about the dog and its owner, including where the bite occurred
- Notes on how the injury has affected the child's daily activities or behavior
Handling Child Bite Claims in Castle Rock
Families in Castle Rock, including those near Founders Parkway, Meadows Parkway, and areas close to I-25, often bring their children to AdventHealth Castle Rock after a dog bite. We work with those medical records as part of building the claim, and we understand that a child's treatment plan may extend well past the initial visit.
A claim involving a Castle Rock incident can be handled in Douglas County, with proceedings at the Douglas County Justice Center. We also work with families from nearby Parker and Highlands Ranch, and while our office is in Denver, we meet with clients throughout the area to make the process manageable for parents already managing a child's recovery.
What a Child's Claim May Account For
- Current and future medical treatment, including staged scar revision care
- Costs tied to counseling or emotional support if the child needs it
- Scarring and disfigurement addressed through a negligence claim where applicable
- Time a parent or guardian missed work for medical appointments
- Other losses tied directly to how the injury has affected the child
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Castle Rock — 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.
Castle Rock Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim go forward if they were near the dog on purpose?
It depends on what the child was actually doing and whether they were lawfully present in that public place or on the owner's property. We look at the specific facts rather than assuming any particular outcome, and we consider whether the statute or a negligence claim is the better fit.
Do I have to file the claim myself since my child is a minor?
In most situations, a parent or guardian is involved in bringing or managing a claim on a child's behalf. We can explain what that looks like for your family's specific circumstances.
Will my child automatically be compensated for scarring?
Not automatically. Recovering for scarring and other noneconomic losses often requires building a negligence claim in addition to any claim under the dog-bite statute, so the details of the incident matter.
What if my child's scar needs more treatment later as they grow?
We try to document how a child's injury and treatment needs evolve over time rather than resolving a claim based only on the initial injury. This can matter when a scar requires more than one stage of care.
Where would a Castle Rock child bite case be handled?
A case arising from an incident in Castle Rock is typically handled in Douglas County, with proceedings at the Douglas County Justice Center. We meet with families throughout the Castle Rock area, including Parker and Highlands Ranch, to make the process easier to manage.
Discuss a Castle Rock dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.