Dog Bite Lawyer Florence CO

A dog bite changes everything in an instant. One moment you’re walking down the street in Florence, visiting a friend, or letting your child play in the yard. The next, you’re dealing with puncture wounds, emergency room visits, and a fear that wasn’t there before. If the dog belongs to someone you know—a neighbor, a family member, a friend—the guilt can feel almost as overwhelming as the injury itself.

You didn’t ask for this. You shouldn’t have to choose between your recovery and your relationships. And you need to know that holding a dog owner accountable isn’t about revenge or being difficult. It’s about making sure you and your family are taken care of when someone else’s animal causes harm.

At McCormick & Murphy, we represent people throughout Florence, Penrose, Cañon City, and the surrounding areas who have been injured by dogs. We know these cases are complicated—not just legally, but emotionally. We also know that Colorado law is on your side, and that most dog bite claims are resolved through homeowner’s insurance, not out of anyone’s personal bank account.

If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, call us at 888-668-1182. The consultation is free, and we’ll give you straight answers about what your case is worth and what comes next.

Why Dog Bites Happen in Florence and Fremont County

Florence is a tight-knit community. People know their neighbors. Dogs run in yards, walk on leashes down Main Street, and greet visitors at front doors. Most of the time, nothing goes wrong. But when it does, the injuries can be severe—especially for children, who are more likely to be bitten on the face and neck.

Dog bites happen for a lot of reasons. The animal feels threatened. It’s protecting food or puppies. It’s not used to strangers. It’s been mistreated or poorly trained. Sometimes there’s no clear trigger at all. The dog just reacts.

What matters legally is not why the dog bit. What matters is that it did, and that the owner is responsible under Colorado law.

Colorado’s Strict Liability Law for Dog Bites

Colorado is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means if a dog bites you, the owner is legally responsible for your injuries—period. It doesn’t matter if the dog has never bitten anyone before. It doesn’t matter if the owner didn’t know the dog was aggressive. It doesn’t even matter if the dog was considered friendly or well-behaved up until that moment.

Under Colorado Revised Statute § 13-21-124, a dog owner is liable if their dog bites someone who is lawfully on public or private property. You don’t have to prove the owner was negligent. You don’t have to prove they did something wrong. You just have to prove the bite happened and that you were legally allowed to be where you were.

This is important because it removes one of the biggest obstacles in personal injury cases: proving fault. The law assumes the owner is at fault. Your job—and ours—is to document the injury and pursue fair compensation.

Injuries We See in Dog Bite Cases

Dog bites are not minor injuries. Even a single bite can cause deep puncture wounds, torn tissue, nerve damage, and serious infections. Depending on the size of the dog and the location of the bite, victims can require stitches, surgery, skin grafts, and months of follow-up care.

Common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations that require stitches or surgical repair
• Infections, including cellulitis, sepsis, and rabies exposure
• Nerve damage that affects feeling and movement in the hands, face, or limbs
• Scarring and disfigurement, particularly on the face, neck, and arms
• Broken bones from the force of the bite or from being knocked down
• Emotional trauma, including nightmares, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress

Children are especially vulnerable. They’re smaller, more likely to approach unfamiliar dogs, and more likely to suffer bites to the head and face. The psychological impact can last years, affecting their ability to feel safe around animals or even to play outside without fear.

These injuries are real. They deserve real compensation. And you don’t have to minimize what happened just because the dog owner is someone you know.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite

The moments after a dog bite are disorienting. You’re in pain, possibly bleeding, and trying to figure out what just happened. But what you do in the hours and days that follow can have a significant impact on your health and your legal case.

First, get medical attention. Even if the bite seems minor, infection is a serious risk. Dog mouths carry bacteria that can lead to cellulitis, abscesses, and worse. Go to the emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or your doctor. Make sure the wound is cleaned, treated, and documented by a medical professional.

Second, report the bite. Contact Fremont County Animal Control or local law enforcement. A formal report creates an official record of the incident and helps protect others if the dog has a history of aggression or if it’s not up to date on vaccinations.

Third, gather information. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and phone number. If there were witnesses, get their contact information too. Take photos of your injuries, the location where the bite happened, and the dog if it’s safe to do so.

Fourth, keep records. Save all medical bills, prescriptions, receipts, and documentation of time missed from work. These records form the foundation of your personal injury claim.

Finally, call a lawyer before you talk to the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurers will try to minimize your claim or get you to settle quickly for less than your case is worth. You don’t have to navigate that alone.

The Role of Homeowner’s Insurance in Dog Bite Claims

Most dog bite claims in Florence are covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy. These policies typically include liability coverage for injuries caused by the policyholder’s pet. That means your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering can be paid by the insurance company—not by your neighbor or family member out of pocket.

This is important because it removes one of the biggest emotional barriers to filing a claim. You’re not trying to ruin someone financially. You’re making sure their insurance policy does what it’s supposed to do: cover the harm their animal caused.

Insurance companies, however, are not on your side. They will investigate the claim, question whether you were lawfully on the property, suggest that you provoked the dog, or argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you say. They may offer a quick settlement that sounds reasonable but doesn’t come close to covering your long-term medical costs or the trauma your child is experiencing.

That’s where we come in. We deal with insurance companies every day. We know their tactics, and we know how to build a case that forces them to pay what you’re actually owed.

Filing a Dog Bite Claim in Colorado

To file a successful dog bite claim, you need to prove three things: that the dog bit you, that the owner is responsible for the dog, and that you were lawfully on the property or in the location where the bite occurred.

The first two are usually straightforward. Medical records, photos, and witness statements can establish that a bite happened and who owned the dog. The third element—lawful presence—is where things can get complicated.

If you were bitten while walking on a public sidewalk, visiting someone’s home with permission, or delivering mail, you were lawfully present. If you were trespassing or provoking the dog, the owner may have a defense. But even in those situations, the facts matter. A child who wanders into a yard is treated differently than an adult who jumps a fence. A dog that bites without warning is treated differently than one that was being teased or cornered.

We investigate every detail. We talk to witnesses, review medical records, and consult with experts if necessary. Our goal is to build a case that leaves no room for the insurance company to deny or lowball your claim.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Dog bite victims in Colorado can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the measurable costs of your injury: medical bills, prescription costs, future surgeries, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses.

Non-economic damages cover the things that don’t come with a receipt: physical pain, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of quality of life. If your child is now afraid to go outside or can’t sleep without nightmares, that trauma has value under the law.

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the strength of the evidence. Minor bites that heal quickly are worth less than attacks that require surgery, leave permanent scars, or cause lasting psychological harm.

We don’t guess at what your case is worth. We calculate it based on real numbers—your actual medical costs, your actual time off work, and the real impact on your life and your family’s life.

The Emotional Weight of Suing Someone You Know

This is the part nobody talks about, but it’s often the hardest part of a dog bite case. The dog belongs to your neighbor. Or your friend. Or your child’s friend’s parents. You see them at the grocery store. Your kids go to school together. You don’t want to make things awkward or ruin a relationship over this.

We understand that. We also understand that your child’s face was scarred. That you’re staring at a stack of medical bills you can’t afford. That you’re having panic attacks every time you see a dog on the street. This isn’t about being petty or vindictive. It’s about being made whole after something that never should have happened.

And here’s the thing: in most cases, the dog owner won’t pay a dime out of pocket. Their insurance covers it. You’re not taking money from them. You’re holding their insurance company accountable for covering an injury their policy was designed to cover.

If the dog owner is a reasonable person, they’ll understand that. If they don’t, that’s not your burden to carry. Your responsibility is to your own recovery and your family’s well-being. That has to come first.

What Sets McCormick & Murphy Apart in Dog Bite Cases

Kirk McCormick and Jay Murphy have spent years representing injury victims in Pueblo, Florence, Cañon City, and throughout southern Colorado. We know the local courts, the insurance companies that operate here, and the tactics they use to avoid paying fair settlements.

We also know the people in these communities. We’ve lived here, raised families here, and built our practice on the principle that every client deserves to be treated with respect and honesty—not processed like a file number.

When you work with us, you’ll speak directly with Kirk or Jay. You’ll get our cell phone numbers. You’ll get straight answers about what your case is worth, how long it will take, and what to expect at every step. We don’t hand you off to paralegals or leave you wondering what’s happening with your claim.

We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay us unless we win your case. No upfront costs. No hourly bills. We get paid when you get paid, and only if we recover compensation for you.

Serving Florence, Penrose, Cañon City, and Fremont County

We represent dog bite victims throughout Fremont County and the surrounding areas, including Florence, Penrose, Cañon City, Walsenburg, Pueblo, Pueblo West, and the smaller communities in between. If you were bitten by a dog anywhere in southern Colorado, we can help.

Our main office is located at 301 N Main St in Pueblo, but we meet clients where it’s convenient for them. If you can’t travel because of your injuries, we’ll come to you. If you need to talk on the phone first, that’s fine too. The point is to make this process as easy as possible while you focus on healing.

How Long You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim

Colorado law gives you two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. That might sound like a lot of time, but it goes faster than you think—especially when you’re dealing with medical treatment, insurance adjusters, and trying to get back to normal life.

Waiting too long can hurt your case. Witnesses forget details. Photos get lost. Medical records become harder to obtain. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner we can preserve evidence, talk to witnesses, and start building your case.

Even if you’re not sure whether you want to file a claim, it’s worth calling us. The consultation is free, and it gives you a chance to understand your rights and your options without any obligation.

Call McCormick & Murphy Today

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog in Florence or anywhere in Fremont County, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. You have rights under Colorado law, and you deserve compensation for your injuries, your medical bills, and the trauma this has caused.

Call McCormick & Murphy at 888-668-1182 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand what comes next. You don’t pay unless we win.

You didn’t choose this. But you can choose what happens next. Let us fight for you.