City and County of Denver · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Denver Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Denver dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Denver. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute: Owner Liability In Denver
McCormick & Murphy are Denver dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Denver District Court.
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether the incident happened in Capitol Hill, Five Points, Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, RiNo, or anywhere else in Denver.
A key feature of this statute is that it does not require proof the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. That removes a hurdle that exists in many negligence cases, where the injured person has to show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous tendencies.
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages. If a bite caused scarring, pain, or other noneconomic harm, recovering for those losses may require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate which claims fit the facts of your case.
Proving Serious Bodily Injury After A Denver Bite
Serious bodily injury under the statute means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. Medical records from Denver Health Medical Center or another treating provider help establish the extent of the injury and whether it meets this threshold. A lesser bite that doesn't meet this definition can still support a negligence claim.
Owners may raise defenses such as provocation or trespass, and the statute lists exclusions for certain working dogs and for people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We look closely at how the incident unfolded to address any defense the owner raises and to determine whether an exclusion actually applies.
Investigating Denver Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Denver dog bite statute lawyers serving the City and County of Denver. We file in Denver District Court for clients hurt by dogs in Capitol Hill, Five Points, Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, RiNo, and throughout Denver.
- Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute Owner Liability: Colorado's dog-bite statute can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. You don't need to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. The statute's owner liability covers economic damages.
- Proving Serious Bodily Injury After A Denver Bite: Serious bodily injury under the statute means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. Medical records from Denver Health Medical Center or another treating provider help establish the extent of the injury and whether it meets this threshold.
Document your injuries, the scene, and the circumstances while details are fresh. This evidence helps establish serious bodily injury, lawful presence, and owner liability under Colorado's dog-bite statute.
- Photos of the injury showing severity and extent
- Photos of the scene where the bite occurred
- Photos of the dog if possible
- Medical records from all treating providers
- Treatment notes from Denver Health Medical Center or other facilities
- Contact information for the dog owner
- Contact information for any witnesses
- Animal control reports filed in Denver
- Police reports documenting the incident
- Notes on your location and whether you had lawful access to the property
- Documentation of lost income if injury prevented work
- Records of future medical appointments or ongoing treatment
Preserve everything early. An experienced Denver dog bite statute lawyer can help you identify which evidence matters most for your claim.
Serving Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, RiNo, And All Of Denver
We handle dog bite claims arising throughout the City and County of Denver, from Cherry Creek to Highlands Ranch to RiNo. When a claim proceeds to litigation, it's typically filed in Denver District Court.
We work with medical documentation from providers like Denver Health Medical Center to support the injury claim, and we gather scene and witness evidence from wherever in Denver the bite occurred.
Medical Costs, Lost Income, And Scarring After A Denver Bite
- Medical expenses for treatment of the bite injury
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Scarring and disfigurement, potentially through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering, potentially through a negligence claim
- Future medical costs tied to ongoing treatment or impairment
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 We Hear From Denver Dog-Bite Clients
Do I need Denver dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Denver dog bite statute 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.
Do I have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous?
No. Under Colorado's dog-bite statute, you don't need to show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog biting someone before. This is different from many negligence claims involving animals.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
Serious bodily injury means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. Bites that don't meet this standard may still support a negligence claim.
Can I recover for pain and suffering under this statute?
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages like medical bills and lost income. Noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering or scarring may require a separate negligence claim.
What defenses do dog owners raise in Denver bite cases?
Common defenses include provocation and trespass. The statute also lists exclusions for certain working dogs and for people handling dogs as part of their job when the bite occurs during that work.
Where do Denver dog bite lawsuits get filed?
Claims arising in the City and County of Denver are typically filed in Denver District Court. We handle the filing and litigation process for you.
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Discuss Your Denver Dog Bite Statute Case
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