City and County of Denver · Non-Bite Dog Attacks
Denver Dog Attack Lawyers
Denver dog attack lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Denver. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Denver Dog Attack Lawyers For Knockdowns And Chases Without A Bite
McCormick & Murphy are Denver dog attack lawyers for people hurt by a knockdown, chase, or other attack that was not a bite. We file in Denver District Court.
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, covers bites. When a dog knocks you down, chases you into traffic, or scratches you without breaking skin, that injury generally falls outside the statute. These cases move forward as ordinary negligence claims instead of strict liability claims.
That distinction matters for how we build the case, but it does not make the injury less real. A knockdown can cause a broken bone or a head injury. A chase can end with someone falling off a bike or stepping into the street. We treat these as possible outcomes to investigate, not assumptions we make before we know the facts.
In a negligence claim, we look at whether the owner kept control of the dog, whether the dog was off leash or unsupervised, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to prevent the incident. If the dog's teeth did break skin at some point during the same encounter, the bite statute may also come into play, and we sort out which facts support which claim rather than trying to force everything under one label.
What Shows The Owner Failed To Control The Dog
Because a non-bite attack claim rests on showing the owner failed to use reasonable care, the details of control and supervision carry weight. Was the dog on a leash required by local rules. Had it gotten loose before. Did the owner see the dog approaching you and do nothing. These facts come from witnesses, the owner's own statements, and any record of prior incidents with the same dog.
Medical records matter just as much here as in a bite case. A fall, a torn ligament, or a head impact needs to be documented and connected to the moment the dog made contact or forced you to react. Photos of the scene, contact information for anyone who saw what happened, and a clear timeline all help show what the dog did and how you were hurt.
Investigating Denver Non-Bite Dog Attacks & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Denver dog attack lawyers handling knockdown, chase, and scratch claims throughout Capitol Hill, Five Points, Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, and RiNo.
- Denver District Court Filing: We file non-bite dog attack claims in Denver District Court as negligence cases when a dog knocks you down, chases you into traffic, or scratches without breaking skin. These claims examine whether the owner kept control of the dog and took reasonable steps to prevent the incident.
- Local Evidence Collection: We connect medical records from Denver Health Medical Center and other facilities to the attack, gather witness statements, photograph the scene across Denver neighborhoods, and document prior incidents with the same dog to show the owner failed to use reasonable care.
After a knockdown, chase, or non-bite dog attack in Denver, preserving evidence helps show the owner failed to control the dog. This checklist covers what to hold onto for a negligence claim.
- Photos of where the attack happened
- Photos of any visible injuries
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Medical records from Denver Health Medical Center or another facility
- Information about the dog and owner, including where they live
- Notes on whether the dog had gotten loose or acted this way before
- Record of prior incidents with the same dog
- Evidence of whether the dog was on a leash required by local rules
- Timeline showing the moment the dog made contact or forced you to react
- Photos of the scene showing lack of supervision or control
- Documentation of lost income while you recover
- Property damage from a fall, such as a bike or personal items
A free consultation with Denver dog attack lawyers helps determine what evidence supports your non-bite claim. No fee unless we recover for you.
Non-Bite Dog Attack Claims Across Denver Neighborhoods
We take on non-bite dog attack claims from across Denver, including Capitol Hill, Five Points, Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, and RiNo. Loose dogs and unsupervised dogs turn up in parks, on sidewalks, and in shared building courtyards throughout these neighborhoods, and a knockdown or chase can happen just as fast as a bite.
If you were treated at Denver Health Medical Center or another facility after a fall or injury caused by a dog, we help connect those records to what happened with the dog. When a case needs to go to court, we file in Denver District Court and handle the negligence claim the same way we'd handle any serious injury matter.
Medical Costs, Lost Income, And Other Losses From A Non-Bite Attack
- Medical treatment for fractures, head injuries, or torn ligaments
- Ongoing care or physical therapy
- Lost income while you recover
- Pain and suffering, including fear of dogs going forward
- Property damage from a fall, such as a bike or personal items
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Denver — 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.
Questions About Non-Bite Dog Attack Claims In Denver
Do I need Denver dog attack lawyers after an injury?
Call Denver dog attack lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
The dog knocked me down but never bit me. Do I still have a claim?
Possibly, as a negligence claim rather than a strict liability claim under the bite statute. We look at whether the owner controlled the dog and whether they took reasonable care. A knockdown can cause serious injury even without a bite.
What if the dog chased me and I got hurt trying to get away?
That can also support a negligence claim if the owner failed to keep the dog under control. We'd look at where the chase happened, whether the dog was loose, and how your injury occurred while you were trying to escape.
How is a non-bite claim different from a bite claim?
Colorado's dog bite statute applies specifically to bites and doesn't require proving the owner was careless. A non-bite claim requires showing the owner failed to use reasonable care, so the proof looks more like a typical negligence case.
What if the dog scratched me but didn't break the skin?
A scratch without broken skin generally falls under negligence rather than the bite statute. We still evaluate the injury and the circumstances to determine what claim fits the facts.
Does it cost anything to find out if I have a claim?
No. We offer a free consultation to review what happened, and we don't charge an attorney fee unless we recover for you.
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