City and County of Denver · Fatal dog attacks
Denver Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
We help Denver families after a fatal dog attack. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats a Fatal Dog Attack
Losing a family member to a dog attack is a different kind of loss, and the legal path forward looks different too. Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death, so long as the person who died was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the property where the attack happened. That statute addresses the dog owner's responsibility for the bite itself.
But the dog-bite statute does not decide who in the family can bring a claim after a death, or what losses that claim can cover. Those questions are controlled by Colorado wrongful-death law, which works alongside the dog-bite statute rather than replacing it. We look at both together when we evaluate a fatal attack case for a Denver family.
Because the right to file, and the timing and structure of that right, depends on wrongful-death law and not the dog-bite statute alone, we do not guess at who qualifies here. We walk through that with each family directly, based on their specific situation.
What We Look At in a Fatal Attack Case
A fatal dog attack in Denver often generates records beyond a typical bite claim. There may be animal-control history on the dog, police reports from the scene, and medical records connected to the attempted treatment. We gather these records early, since they can be harder to obtain the longer a case sits.
We also look at ownership and property facts: who owned or kept the dog, where the attack happened, and whether the person who died was lawfully present at that location. These facts connect directly to the dog-bite statute's requirements and shape how we build the case from the start.
- Preserve any photos or video from the scene of the attack
- Keep copies of any police or animal-control reports you receive
- Note the dog's owner and the location where the attack occurred
- Save contact information for any witnesses
- Talk with our office before speaking with an insurance adjuster
Handling Fatal Attack Claims in Denver
We represent families across Denver neighborhoods, including Capitol Hill, Five Points, Cherry Creek, Highland, and RiNo, after a fatal dog attack. Fatal attack cases involving a Denver incident are typically filed in Denver District Court, and we handle that process for the family from start to finish.
When emergency treatment was attempted at a facility like Denver Health Medical Center, we work to obtain those records as part of building the case. Our office is based in Denver, and we meet with families directly to explain how the dog-bite statute and wrongful-death law fit together in their situation.
What a Wrongful-Death Claim May Address
- Losses tied to the death itself, as defined under wrongful-death law
- Medical expenses connected to any treatment before death
- Funeral and burial-related costs
- Loss of the support the family member provided
- Other losses recognized under Colorado wrongful-death law
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.
Denver Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the Colorado dog-bite statute cover a fatal attack?
It can. C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 can apply when a dog bite causes death, provided the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the property where the attack happened. That statute addresses the owner's responsibility for the bite.
Who can file a claim after a fatal dog attack in Denver?
That question is governed by Colorado wrongful-death law, not the dog-bite statute alone. We review each family's situation individually and explain how that law applies rather than assuming who qualifies.
Where would a fatal dog attack case be filed?
A case arising from an incident in Denver is typically filed in Denver District Court. We handle that filing and the case that follows.
What records matter most in a fatal attack case?
Animal-control history, police reports from the scene, and medical records related to any treatment are all important. We work to gather these records early because they can become harder to obtain over time.
How do the dog-bite statute and wrongful-death law work together?
The dog-bite statute addresses the owner's liability for the attack, while wrongful-death law addresses who may bring the claim and what losses it covers. We use both together when handling a fatal attack case.
Discuss a Denver dog bite
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