El Paso County · Dog Bites and Attacks
Colorado Springs Dog Bite Lawyers
Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers for bites on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, in Briargate, and across El Paso County. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado Springs Dog Bite Claims Under Colorado's Strict Liability Law
McCormick & Murphy are Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the animal-control or Colorado Springs Police Department report, the records from UCHealth Memorial or Penrose, and we file in El Paso County District Court when the insurer will not pay a fair number.
Colorado law holds dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in public places or when the victim is lawfully in a private place—including the dog owner's property. This means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had bitten someone before. If the bite happened on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, near Briargate, or anywhere else in Colorado Springs, and you were lawfully present, the statute applies.
Beyond the bite statute, we also examine whether the owner or handler was negligent—for example, failing to restrain the dog, ignoring warning signs, or allowing a known aggressive dog to roam free. Many dog attacks involve both statutory liability and negligence, which strengthens your case. We review ownership records, prior incident reports filed with the Colorado Springs Police Department or animal control, and witness statements to build a complete picture of what happened.
Documenting Your Colorado Springs Dog Attack: Reports, Records, and Witnesses
Successful dog-bite claims depend on solid documentation. We request animal-control reports, veterinary records showing the dog's ownership and vaccination status, photographs of your wounds taken immediately after the incident and during recovery, and medical records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital. Witness statements are often critical, especially if the attack occurred near a busy intersection like Powers Boulevard and Academy Boulevard or in a neighborhood area such as Old Colorado City or Briargate.
We also investigate prior behavior: has the dog bitten or attacked anyone else? Were there complaints to the Colorado Springs Police Department or local animal-control authorities? Insurance records often reveal previous claims. The location of the attack—whether on the owner's property, in a public park, or along I-25 near Fountain or Manitou Springs—affects both liability and damages. We compile all evidence to present a persuasive case to the insurance company or El Paso County District Court.
Local investigations may involve Colorado Springs Police Department or Colorado State Patrol, scenes in Old Colorado City or Broadmoor, parks, trails, and residential yards.
Investigating Colorado Springs Dog Bites & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers serving clients bitten on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, in Briargate, and across El Paso County. We gather animal-control reports, medical records from UCHealth Memorial or Penrose, and witness statements to build your claim under Colorado's strict liability statute.
- Local Evidence & Reports: We request animal-control reports, records from the Colorado Springs Police Department, photographs of your wounds, and witness statements—especially if the attack occurred near Powers Boulevard and Academy Boulevard, in Old Colorado City, Briargate, or elsewhere in El Paso County. We also investigate prior incidents and compile insurance records.
- Office Access: Clients meet with our team at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 ↗ — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
After a dog attack in Colorado Springs or El Paso County, gathering and preserving the right evidence is critical to your claim under Colorado's strict liability law. Here's what to collect immediately:
- Witness contact information — Names, phone numbers, and addresses of all witnesses—neighbors, passersby, or other people present on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, in Briargate, or wherever the attack occurred.
- Photographs of your injuries — Pictures taken the day of the incident and throughout healing, showing puncture wounds, scars, infection signs, and any permanent disfigurement.
- Complete medical records — Records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, Penrose Hospital, or your doctor documenting the initial exam, wound treatment, sutures, antibiotics, follow-up care, and any infection or complications.
- Animal-control or police report — A copy of the official report filed with the Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, or local animal-control authorities.
- Dog owner's information and insurance — The owner's name, address, phone number, and homeowner's or renter's insurance carrier and policy information.
- Proof of dog ownership and control — Documentation of the dog's ownership, vaccination status, licensing, and who had control of the animal at the time of the attack.
- Prior incident reports — Any complaints, prior bites, or dangerous-behavior incidents involving the same dog, filed with Colorado Springs Police Department or animal control.
- Lost wage and treatment records — Documentation of time missed from work, lost income, therapy sessions, and all ongoing medical treatment related to the bite.
- Video footage — Recordings from nearby home security cameras, business surveillance, or traffic cameras that captured the attack or the moments before and after.
- Official incident report — Your written report filed with police or animal control, plus your own detailed written account of what happened, where (Briargate, Old Colorado City, Broadmoor, or other specific location in El Paso County), when, and how the dog accessed you.
Keep all original documents. Do not delay—Colorado statutes of limitation and notice requirements vary by claim type, and claims against public entities may require written notice within weeks. Contact McCormick & Murphy at (719) 389-0400 for a free consultation at our 929 W Colorado Ave office in Colorado Springs.
Treatment at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central After a Dog Bite
Dog bites frequently require immediate emergency care, wound cleaning, antibiotics, tetanus shots, and sometimes surgery or reconstructive procedures. Puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into tissue, leading to serious infections. Nerve damage may cause lasting numbness or weakness. Scars—especially on the face, hands, or arms—can be permanent and psychologically distressing. We work closely with your medical team to document every treatment, follow-up visit, and long-term effect of the bite.
Medical records from your initial visit to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital, plus all ongoing treatment, form the foundation of your damages claim. Photographs of scars taken months after healing show the permanent impact. If you required cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, psychological counseling, or ongoing medical care, those costs are recoverable. We obtain detailed medical reports that explain the injury's severity, the treatment required, and any lasting physical or emotional effects.
Official Colorado Springs hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Medical Costs, Scarring, and Other Recoverable Losses From a Dog Attack
- Medical expenses: emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, wound treatment, antibiotics, vaccinations, and reconstructive or cosmetic procedures
- Scarring and disfigurement: permanent visible marks, especially on exposed skin, and any corrective treatments
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity: time away from work during treatment and recovery, or long-term loss if the injury affects your ability to work
- Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, fear of dogs, and reduced quality of life
- Counseling and mental-health treatment: therapy for trauma, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress resulting from the attack
- Infection and complications: treatment costs for bacterial infections, abscess formation, or other medical complications arising from the bite
El Paso County District Court allows recovery for all reasonably foreseeable damages, both economic and non-economic, that flow directly from the dog bite.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Colorado Springs — 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.
Your Colorado Springs Dog Bite Questions Answered
Do I need Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. We meet you at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Colorado Springs?
The deadline depends on the type of claim and whether a public entity (such as Colorado Springs Police Department or the city) is involved. A standard negligence claim may allow two years, but claims against a public entity can require written notice much sooner. Do not assume you have time. Contact us promptly after the incident to identify your specific deadline and any notice obligations that apply to your case.
What does Colorado's dog-bite statute require to hold the owner responsible?
Colorado law holds the dog owner strictly liable for damages if the dog bites you and you are in a public place or lawfully in a private place (including the owner's property). Strict liability means the owner is liable even if the dog had no prior history of aggression and the owner was not negligent. We also examine whether negligence or other torts apply, depending on the facts and where the attack occurred.
What kind of damages can I recover after a dog attack?
You may recover compensation for medical treatment (emergency care, hospital, surgery, follow-up), scarring and permanent disfigurement, pain and suffering, lost income due to injury or recovery, infection or other complications, psychological trauma, and ongoing therapy. We evaluate your specific injuries and losses to build your damages claim.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a dog bite case?
We take dog bite claims on contingency. You pay no attorney fee unless we settle your case or win at trial. We do advance out-of-pocket costs (medical records, expert reports, filing fees) separately; those costs are deducted from any recovery. You owe nothing unless there is a recovery.
What if the dog attack happened on my own property or in a private location?
Colorado's strict-liability statute still applies if you were lawfully on the property where the bite occurred. We also look for negligence—for example, if the owner knew the dog was dangerous and failed to contain it, or if the attack happened due to inadequate fencing or warning. The location (Powers Boulevard, Briargate, Manitou Springs, or elsewhere) and the circumstances matter. We review the facts to identify all available claims.
Related legal guides
City pages for this practice area
Colorado Springs 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.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Colorado Springs — Downtown
Discuss Your Colorado Springs Dog Bite Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.