Adams County · Dog bites and attacks
Commerce City Dog Bite Lawyers
Dog bites in Commerce City can cause lasting injury—we pursue full compensation under Colorado law, with free consultation and no fee unless we recover for you.
Dog Bite Claims in Commerce City
A dog attack along Colorado Highway 2, U.S. Highway 85, 104th Avenue, or I-76 can happen in seconds. You may not know the owner or have immediate answers about how it occurred. Our job is to determine who owned or controlled the dog, whether they breached a duty of care, and whether the attack was preventable. We also examine the animal-control record to see if there was prior aggressive behavior.
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds owners liable even for a first bite in many circumstances. Beyond that statute, we pursue negligence claims when an owner knew the dog was dangerous or failed to restrain it. Whether you were bitten while walking near Dick's Sporting Goods Park, on a residential street, or elsewhere in Commerce City or nearby areas, we gather evidence to establish liability.
Evidence We Examine
We obtain animal-control reports filed with the Commerce City Police Department and Adams County authorities. These reports often document the circumstances, the dog's history, vaccination status, and witness statements. We request ownership and registration records to confirm who is responsible, and we photograph your injuries to preserve visual evidence of scarring and trauma.
Medical records from Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital or other treatment providers show the extent of injury, infection risk, and ongoing care. We also collect witness statements, prior-incident reports about the same dog, and insurance information. If available, we review security camera footage or photographs taken at the scene to establish the facts clearly.
Local investigations may involve Commerce City Police Department, scenes in Thornton or Denver, parks, trails, and residential yards.
Traffic around Dick’s Sporting Goods Park can change normal driving patterns when events add congestion to nearby roads.
A dog bite claim in Adams County requires evidence of the dog's ownership or control, the circumstances of the attack, the severity of your injuries, and the owner's negligence or violation of Colorado's dog-bite statute. Collect and preserve the following:
- Photographs of all bite wounds, puncture marks, bruising, and scarring (take multiple photos over time as wounds heal and scars develop)
- Medical records from Intermittain Health Platte Valley Hospital or other treatment providers, including emergency room reports, surgical notes, infection testing, and follow-up care
- Proof of dog ownership or control (registration, microchip, veterinary records, neighborhood records)
- Commerce City Police Department incident report or animal-control report
- Veterinary records showing the dog's vaccination history and prior behavioral issues
- Witness names, contact information, and written statements describing the attack
- Property or location details (fence condition, signage, leash status, whether the dog was confined)
- Documentation of lost income, medical expenses, and transportation costs
- Evidence of lasting effects (emotional trauma, fear of dogs, therapy or counseling records)
- Insurance information for the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's policy
- Any prior complaints or incidents involving the same dog in Commerce City or nearby areas
Medical Impact and Damages
Dog-bite wounds can be deceptive. What looks like a simple puncture may introduce bacteria deep into tissue, risking serious infection. Nerves, tendons, and muscle can be damaged. Many victims require emergency care, surgical repair, wound management, and antibiotics. The healing process is often longer and more complicated than initial treatment suggests.
Beyond the immediate injury, dog bites frequently cause lasting scarring and emotional trauma. Victims may develop fear of dogs or anxiety in public spaces. Lost wages accumulate if you cannot work during recovery. We document all medical treatment, rehabilitation, and psychological impact to build a complete picture of damages.
Official Commerce City hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
What You May Recover
- Medical expenses: emergency treatment, surgery, hospital stays, wound care, antibiotics, and follow-up appointments
- Scarring and disfigurement: costs of scar revision, cosmetic procedures, and compensation for permanent marks
- Lost wages: income lost during recovery and any reduced earning capacity from lasting injury
- Pain and suffering: compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and fear resulting from the attack
- Emotional trauma and anxiety: documented psychological harm and ongoing treatment
- Property damage: if clothing or personal items were damaged in the attack
We pursue these damages through negotiation and, if necessary, in Adams County Justice Center or in court.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Commerce City — 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.
Commerce City Dog bites and attacks FAQ
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Commerce City?
The deadline depends on whether the dog owner is an individual, a business, or a public entity. Individual and business claims typically follow Colorado's two-year statute of limitations from the date of the bite. If a public agency or employee is involved, Colorado law requires written notice within a shorter timeframe—often 182 days or less. Your case may also involve the city or County of Adams County. Do not delay; contact us promptly to determine the exact deadline and any notice requirements that apply to your situation.
What is Colorado's dog-bite statute, and how does it apply in Adams County?
Colorado law makes a dog owner strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog bite, meaning you do not have to prove the owner was careless—only that the dog bit you and caused injury. The owner is also liable if the dog injured someone while the owner was negligent (for example, failing to restrain the dog on Colorado Highway 2, 104th Avenue, or in a public space near Dick's Sporting Goods Park). You can pursue both the strict liability claim and any separate negligence claim if the facts support it. We review Colorado's statute and the specific circumstances of your attack.
What damages can I recover from a dog bite claim?
You may recover compensation for medical treatment (emergency room, surgery, infection care, follow-up visits), scarring and permanent marks, pain and suffering, emotional trauma and fear, lost wages while recovering, transportation and rehabilitation costs, and disfigurement. If the injury is severe or leads to lasting nerve or functional damage, damages may be substantial. We investigate the full extent of your losses—both economic and non-economic—to build a complete claim.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a dog bite case?
We handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. That means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if we settle your case or win at trial. You pay nothing upfront for legal representation. Costs to advance the case—such as medical record retrieval, expert fees, or filing fees at Adams County Justice Center—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you before we incur them.
What if the dog bite occurred on a road like U.S. Highway 85 or I-76, or near a busy location?
Dog bites on roadways or near high-traffic areas in or around Commerce City, Brighton, Thornton, or nearby regions present additional complexity regarding liability and causation. We examine where the dog was supposed to be confined, whether the owner failed to control or restrain the dog, whether congestion (such as around Dick's Sporting Goods Park events) distracted the owner, and how the incident unfolded. Local conditions and road context matter. We gather police reports, witness accounts, and any surveillance footage to establish what happened.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Commerce City 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
Discuss your Commerce City claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.