Dog Bite Lawyer Commerce City

A dog bite is not just a scratch or a scare. It can mean emergency room visits, stitches, reconstructive surgery, and months of recovery. For children especially, it can mean nightmares, anxiety around animals, and lasting emotional harm. If you or your child were bitten by a dog in Commerce City, you have legal rights — even if the dog belongs to someone you know, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before, and even if the owner is apologetic.

McCormick & Murphy, P.C. helps people in Commerce City and across the Denver metro recover compensation after dog attacks. We handle the insurance claims, the negotiations, and if needed, the courtroom — so you can focus on healing.

Call 888-668-1182 to speak with a Commerce City dog bite lawyer today. Consultations are free.

Why Dog Bite Cases in Commerce City Are Different From Other Injury Claims

Most personal injury cases require you to prove the other party was negligent — that they did something wrong or failed to do something they should have done. Dog bite cases in Colorado work differently.

Under Colorado’s strict liability statute, a dog owner is responsible for injuries their dog causes, period. You do not need to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had a history of aggression. If the dog bit you and you were lawfully on the property or in a public space, the owner is liable for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

This matters because it removes one of the biggest hurdles in injury cases: proving fault. You do not have to show that the owner failed to leash the dog or ignored warning signs. The law puts the responsibility on the owner to control their animal.

Common Injuries From Dog Bites and Attacks

Even a single bite can cause serious harm. Dog bites often involve:

• Deep puncture wounds that damage muscle, nerves, and tendons
• Infections including staph, MRSA, and rabies exposure
• Scarring and disfigurement, especially on the face, hands, and arms
• Broken bones from falls or the force of the attack
• Nerve damage leading to loss of sensation or motor function
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders

Children are at higher risk for facial injuries because of their height relative to most dogs. A bite to the face can require reconstructive surgery, leave permanent scarring, and cause psychological trauma that lasts into adulthood.

Even if your injuries seem minor at first, infections can develop days later. Tendons and nerves may be damaged in ways that do not become apparent until you try to use your hand or walk without pain. Do not downplay what happened. Get medical care immediately and document everything.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Commerce City

The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog bite can protect both your health and your legal claim.

Seek medical attention right away. Even if the wound looks small, dog bites carry a high risk of infection. A doctor can clean the wound properly, prescribe antibiotics if needed, and document the injury. That medical record becomes critical evidence later.

Report the bite to Commerce City Animal Control. Filing a report creates an official record of the incident. Animal control will investigate whether the dog has bitten before, whether it is up to date on rabies vaccinations, and whether the owner has violated local leash laws. This information strengthens your case.

Get the dog owner’s contact and insurance information. Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies cover dog bites. You will need the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance carrier to file a claim.

Photograph your injuries. Take pictures of the bite wounds, bruising, swelling, and any torn clothing. Continue photographing as the injuries heal — or as scars develop. Visual evidence is powerful.

Write down what happened. Record the date, time, location, and circumstances of the attack while the details are fresh. Note whether the dog was leashed, whether the owner was present, what the dog did before and after biting, and what the owner said.

Do not give a statement to the dog owner’s insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may ask questions designed to get you to downplay your injuries or accept partial blame. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and you should not until you have legal advice.

Homeowner’s Insurance and Dog Bite Claims

Most dog bite claims are paid by the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. These policies typically include liability coverage for injuries that occur on the property or are caused by the policyholder — including injuries caused by their pets.

That means filing a claim does not necessarily mean suing your neighbor personally or forcing them to pay out of pocket. In most cases, the insurance company handles the claim and pays the settlement or judgment.

However, some insurance companies exclude certain dog breeds from coverage or impose restrictions after a dog has bitten before. If the owner does not have insurance or if the policy excludes dog bites, you may need to pursue compensation directly from the owner or explore other avenues of recovery.

This is why it is important to have a lawyer review the insurance policy and identify all possible sources of compensation before you agree to any settlement.

Strict Liability vs. Negligence: How Colorado Law Protects Dog Bite Victims

Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-124 imposes strict liability on dog owners for medical costs resulting from a bite. That means if a dog bites you, the owner is responsible for your medical bills — no questions asked about the dog’s history or the owner’s precautions.

For other damages — pain and suffering, lost wages, emotional distress, scarring — you may need to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog was known to be dangerous. Negligence can include failing to leash a dog in a public area, ignoring a city leash law, or allowing a dog with a history of aggression to run free.

In practice, many cases involve both strict liability and negligence claims. An experienced dog bite lawyer knows how to build a case that maximizes your recovery under both legal theories.

What If the Dog Has Never Bitten Anyone Before?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear: “The owner says the dog has never done this before. Can I still file a claim?”

Yes. Colorado’s strict liability law does not require the dog to have a history of biting. The owner is responsible even if this was the first time the dog attacked someone.

The “one free bite” rule does not apply in Colorado — at least not for medical expenses. For other damages, a dog’s history of aggression can strengthen your case, but it is not required.

Can I File a Claim If the Dog Belongs to a Friend or Neighbor?

Yes. This is a difficult position to be in, especially if you have a relationship with the dog’s owner. But your medical bills, your lost income, your scars, and your pain are real regardless of who caused them.

Filing a claim does not make you a bad neighbor or a bad friend. It holds the responsible party accountable and ensures you are not stuck paying for someone else’s animal.

In most cases, the insurance company pays the claim, not the dog owner personally. The relationship does not have to end because you exercised your legal rights.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?

Colorado law allows dog bite victims to recover several types of damages:

• Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, surgery, stitches, antibiotics, physical therapy, reconstructive procedures, and future medical care related to the injury.
• Lost wages: Income you lost while recovering from the attack, as well as future earning capacity if the injury leaves you with permanent limitations.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the attack.
• Scarring and disfigurement: Permanent scars, especially on visible areas like the face and hands, can justify significant compensation.
• Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, fear of dogs, and other emotional harm are real injuries that deserve compensation, especially in cases involving children.

The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the long-term impact on your life, and the strength of the evidence. An experienced Commerce City dog bite lawyer can evaluate your case and help you understand what fair compensation looks like.

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Colorado?

Colorado’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is generally two years from the date of the injury. If you do not file a lawsuit within that time, you lose your right to recover compensation.

Two years may sound like a long time, but it goes quickly. Evidence fades, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies become harder to deal with as time passes. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the stronger your case will be.

If the victim is a child, different rules may apply. In some cases, the statute of limitations does not begin running until the child turns 18. However, waiting that long is almost never a good idea. Medical bills and other expenses arise immediately, and early legal action protects the child’s rights.

What About Emotional Trauma and PTSD?

Dog attacks are terrifying. For children especially, the fear and trauma can be as damaging as the physical injury.

Many dog bite victims — especially young children — develop anxiety around animals, nightmares, fear of going outside, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. These are real injuries, and Colorado law allows you to seek compensation for them.

A dog bite case is not just about stitches and scars. It is about the way the attack changed your life or your child’s life. A child who used to play outside freely may now refuse to leave the house. A person who loved dogs may now cross the street to avoid them. That loss is compensable.

Proving emotional trauma often requires testimony from a psychologist or psychiatrist who can explain the diagnosis and the long-term impact. An experienced lawyer knows how to build this part of the case and make sure the insurance company does not dismiss it as exaggeration.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Commerce City Dog Bite Case

Insurance companies do not want to pay you what your case is worth. They will offer a quick settlement — often within days of the attack — in hopes that you will accept a low number before you realize the full extent of your injuries.

Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more money, even if complications develop later. That early offer almost never accounts for future medical bills, permanent scarring, lost earning capacity, or psychological harm.

A dog bite lawyer protects you from these tactics. We investigate the attack, gather evidence, consult medical experts, calculate the full value of your claim, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, we file a lawsuit and take the case to trial.

You do not pay us unless we win your case. Our fees come out of the settlement or judgment, so there is no upfront cost and no financial risk to hiring a lawyer.

How McCormick & Murphy, P.C. Handles Dog Bite Cases in Commerce City

Kirk McCormick and Jay Murphy have spent years representing injured people across the Denver metro, including Commerce City, Aurora, Thornton, and surrounding areas. We know Colorado’s dog bite laws, we know how insurance companies operate, and we know how to build a case that gets results.

When you call us, we start by listening. We want to understand what happened, how the attack has affected you or your child, and what your concerns are. Then we explain your rights, your options, and the next steps in plain language.

From there, we handle everything. We collect medical records, interview witnesses, obtain animal control reports, communicate with the insurance company, and build a demand package that documents the full scope of your damages. Our goal is to resolve your case through negotiation whenever possible, but we are fully prepared to go to trial if that is what it takes to get you fair compensation.

We represent clients throughout Commerce City, Denver, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn, Aurora, Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Broomfield, Brighton, Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Erie, Golden, Morrison, Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey, Pine, Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley.

Contact a Commerce City Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Dog bite injuries are serious. The medical bills, the pain, the fear, and the scars are real. You deserve to be compensated for what you have been through, and the dog owner’s insurance company should pay for it.

Do not let an insurance adjuster pressure you into accepting a low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. Do not wait until the statute of limitations runs out. And do not assume you have no case just because the dog has never bitten anyone before or because you know the owner.

Call McCormick & Murphy, P.C. at 888-668-1182 or visit https://mccormickmurphy.com/denver-personal-injury-attorneys/ to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your options, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.