Larimer County · Dog Bites and Attacks
Fort Collins Dog Bite Lawyers
Fort Collins dog bite lawyers for bites on College Avenue and Harmony Road and across Fort Collins. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Strict Liability For Fort Collins Dog Bites In Public Or On Private Property
McCormick & Murphy are Fort Collins dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Fort Collins Police Services or the Larimer County Sheriff's Office report, the UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital records, and file in the Larimer County Justice Center.
Colorado holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, even without proof of prior dangerous behavior. This strict-liability rule applies when the victim is in a public place or lawfully in a private place. Beyond strict liability, we also pursue negligence claims based on the owner's failure to control, confine, or warn about the dog.
Fort Collins incidents—whether on College Avenue, Harmony Road, near Mulberry Street, or in neighborhoods across Larimer County—often involve questions of trespass, warning signs, fence condition, and leash compliance. We examine all facts to identify every responsible party and maximize recovery for your medical bills, scarring, lost income, and emotional distress.
Investigating Fort Collins Dog Bite Claims & Client Office Access
Fort Collins dog bite lawyers for bites on College Avenue and Harmony Road and across Fort Collins. We get the Fort Collins Police Services or the Larimer County Sheriff's Office report, the UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital records, and file in the Larimer County Justice Center.
- Local Evidence & Venue: We obtain animal-control reports filed with Fort Collins Police Services or Larimer County Sheriff's Office, vaccination and ownership records, photographs of your injuries, and all medical documentation from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital. Local investigations may involve scenes in Wellington or Timnath, parks, trails, and residential yards.
- Denver Office Serves Fort Collins: We handle dog-bite claims on a contingency fee basis—no attorney fee unless your case is settled or won in court.
Animal-Control Reports And Proof That Strengthen Your Fort Collins Claim
Animal-control reports filed with Fort Collins Police Services or Larimer County Sheriff's Office are essential. We obtain vaccination and ownership records, photographs of your injuries immediately after the bite and during healing, and all medical documentation from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or other treatment providers. Witness statements from people who saw the attack carry significant weight.
Prior-incident reports—whether the dog previously bit someone, escaped, or lunged—help prove the owner knew or should have known of danger. We review fence integrity, signage, leash policies, and insurance coverage to identify all avenues of recovery. Testimony about the dog's behavior, training, and the circumstances of the attack round out our evidence strategy.
Local investigations may involve Fort Collins Police Services and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, scenes in Wellington or Timnath, parks, trails, and residential yards.
Other local risks include College Avenue at Harmony Road, winter conditions on Lemay Avenue, and congestion near the Colorado State University campus.
Gather and preserve the following to support your claim:
- Animal control report from Fort Collins Police Services or Larimer County Sheriff's Office
- Proof of dog ownership, registration, and vaccination records
- Medical records from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or other treatment provider
- Photographs of all injuries, scarring, and wound progression
- Witness statements (names, phone, account of the attack)
- Location details: exact address, whether you were on public or private property
- Prior incident reports involving the same dog
- Documentation of lost wages or ongoing medical expenses
- Dog's prior behavior history or complaints
- Insurance information for the dog owner or property owner
- Communications with the dog owner
- Evidence of negligence (unsecured yard, known vicious behavior, violation of leash laws)
UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital Records Document Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites often require emergency care at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, followed by wound cleaning, stitches or surgical repair, tetanus updates, and rabies prophylaxis. Deeper bites can damage nerves, muscles, and tendons, requiring ongoing orthopedic or plastic surgery. Infection risks and long-term scarring may necessitate reconstructive procedures and psychological counseling.
We document every treatment, including emergency visits, follow-up appointments, prescription costs, and future medical needs. Medical records establish the severity and permanence of your injury, supporting claims for pain and suffering, disfigurement, lost earning capacity, and the cost of scar revision or other remedial care.
Official Fort Collins hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Medical Costs And Wage Losses From A Fort Collins Dog Attack
- Medical expenses: emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment, and future procedures related to infection, scarring, or nerve injury
- Pain and suffering: physical pain during healing and chronic discomfort from nerve damage or scarring
- Scarring and disfigurement: both visible marks and their psychological impact on appearance and self-image
- Lost wages: income lost during recovery and time away from work for medical appointments
- Emotional distress and fear: post-traumatic stress, anxiety around dogs, and reduced quality of life
- Permanent disability or impairment: lasting functional limitations or cosmetic damage affecting employment or daily activities
Claims are resolved through settlement, insurance recovery, or judgment at Larimer County Justice Center.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fort Collins — 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.
Your Fort Collins Dog Bite Questions Answered
Do I need Fort Collins dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Fort Collins dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
What is Colorado's dog-bite law?
Colorado holds dog owners strictly liable if their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the dog owner's property. This means you do not need to prove negligence—only that the dog bit you and you were where you had a right to be. You may also have a separate negligence claim if the owner failed to control or warn of a dangerous dog.
Do I need to report the bite to Fort Collins Police or the Larimer County Sheriff's Office?
Yes. File a report with Fort Collins Police Services or Larimer County Sheriff's Office as soon as possible. Animal control will document the incident, check the dog's vaccination status, and create a record that strengthens your claim. Keep a copy of that report.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
Deadlines vary depending on the type of claim and who is responsible. If a government agency or official is involved, Colorado law requires written notice before suit—often within a shorter timeframe than standard injury claims. Contact us promptly for a case-specific deadline review, especially if the incident occurred on public property or involved a public official.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog-bite cases?
We handle dog-bite claims on a contingency fee basis. We earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won in court. You pay no attorney fee out of pocket. Costs for investigation, medical records, and expert reports are separate and are advanced by the firm; those costs are recovered from any settlement or judgment.
Can I recover damages for emotional trauma and scarring?
Yes. Colorado law allows recovery for medical expenses, permanent scarring, disfigurement, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma caused by the attack. Scarring and fear of dogs are common damages in bite cases. Medical records and photographs documenting your injuries are key to proving these damages.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins Dog Bite Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.