Larimer County · Dog bites and attacks
Loveland Dog Bite Lawyers
Loveland dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 34 and Eisenhower Boulevard and across Loveland. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Dog Bite Claims in Loveland
McCormick & Murphy are Loveland dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Loveland Police Department or the Larimer County Sheriff's Office report, the UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies records, and file in the Larimer County Justice Center.
Colorado law holds a dog owner liable for injuries caused by the dog's bite, even if the owner did not know the dog was dangerous. The statute imposes strict liability, meaning you do not have to prove the owner was negligent—only that the dog bit you and caused your injury. Many dog attacks happen on neighborhood streets like Taft Avenue or Eisenhower Boulevard, in parks, during walks, or at someone's home.
Beyond the statutory claim, we also examine whether the owner or any responsible party acted negligently—for example, by failing to restrain the dog, ignoring prior aggressive behavior, or placing a known dangerous dog in a situation where injury was foreseeable. If the attack occurred on property in Loveland, Johnstown, Windsor, or nearby areas, we investigate the facts thoroughly and pursue all available claims.
Evidence We Examine in Dog Bite Cases
We gather animal-control reports filed with the Loveland Police Department or Larimer County Sheriff's Office, ownership and vaccination records, photographs of your injuries taken immediately after the bite and during recovery, and your full medical records from UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies or other providers. Witness statements from neighbors or bystanders are often critical to establishing what happened and where.
We also investigate the dog's prior history: Has the dog bitten or attacked anyone else? Were there prior complaints? Was the dog known to be aggressive? Insurance records, leash-law violations, and any prior incidents reported to animal control or local authorities all strengthen your case. We examine the location of the attack—whether it occurred along U.S. Highway 34, near Fort Collins, Berthoud, or Longmont, and whether local ordinances or property conditions played a role.
Local investigations may involve Loveland Police Department and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, scenes in Berthoud or Johnstown, parks, trails, and residential yards.
A dog bite claim in Loveland requires proof of ownership or control, the circumstances of the attack, and your injuries and losses. Collect the following:
- Identification of the dog owner and details of the dog (breed, size, name, vaccination status)
- Address where the attack occurred (home, street, park, or business property)
- Animal-control report filed with Loveland Police Department or Larimer County Sheriff's Office
- Dog's vaccination and ownership records from the owner or animal-control file
- Photographs of wounds taken at the scene and during healing
- Medical records from UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies or other treatment provider (ER visit, urgent care, follow-up appointments, surgical notes)
- Copies of all medical bills and invoices related to the bite
- Documentation of lost income (pay stubs, employer letter, time-off records)
- Evidence of scarring, nerve damage, or ongoing pain (photos, medical notes)
- Names and contact information for all witnesses present during the attack
- Witness written statements or recorded accounts
- Prior incidents involving the same dog (complaints, prior bites, warnings)
- Insurance information for the dog owner's homeowner's or renters policy
- Photographs of the location (if on a public road like U.S. Highway 34 or Eisenhower Boulevard, document conditions and any signage)
- Records showing any prior animal-control complaints about the dog
- Evidence of emotional distress or behavioral changes after the attack (therapy notes, journal entries)
Attacks on public property or involving a public entity may have different notice deadlines. Obtain a case-specific review promptly.
Medical Injury and Recovery
Dog bites frequently cause puncture wounds, crush injuries, and deep lacerations. Even small-looking bites can introduce bacteria and lead to serious infections such as cellulitis or staph. Nerve damage may occur, causing numbness, tingling, or chronic pain. Scarring is common and may require plastic surgery or long-term dermatological treatment. Emotional trauma, anxiety, and fear of dogs are also real injuries that may require therapy.
We document all medical treatment: emergency-room visits, surgery, antibiotics, wound care, follow-up appointments, and any ongoing physical therapy or mental-health treatment. Medical records and provider statements establish causation—that your injuries flowed directly from the dog attack—and support your claim for past and future medical costs.
Official Loveland hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages You May Recover
- All emergency and follow-up medical treatment, surgery, hospitalization, and medications directly caused by the bite
- Scarring and disfigurement, including costs for cosmetic or reconstructive procedures and the emotional impact of permanent marks
- Lost wages or income from missed work during recovery and any ongoing disability affecting your earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, anxiety, fear of dogs, and reduced quality of life
- Permanent nerve injury, loss of function, or chronic pain requiring ongoing management
- In some cases, punitive damages if the owner's conduct was reckless or grossly negligent
Claims are typically resolved through settlement or filed at the Larimer County Justice Center if necessary.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Loveland — 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.
Loveland Dog Bite Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Loveland dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Loveland 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 does Colorado law say about dog-bite liability in Loveland?
Colorado has a specific dog-bite statute that holds the owner liable for damages if their dog bites someone. The statute does not require proof that the owner was negligent or that the dog was known to be dangerous—only that the dog bit you and caused injury. Beyond the statute, you may also have a negligence claim if the owner's careless conduct allowed the attack to happen. An attorney can review the facts and applicable law specific to your case.
What if the dog attack happened on U.S. Highway 34 or another busy road in Loveland?
If the attack occurred on a public road or in an area managed by a public entity, liability may involve the property owner or municipality as well as the dog owner. Larimer County or the City of Loveland may have separate legal requirements and notice deadlines. Consulting an attorney early is critical because claims against public entities often have shorter deadlines and mandatory written-notice requirements.
How long do I have to file a dog-bite claim in Loveland?
The deadline depends on the type of claim, where the incident occurred, and who may be responsible. If a public entity is involved, you must provide written notice within a set timeframe—much sooner than a typical lawsuit deadline. Private claims have their own timeline. To protect your rights, obtain a case-specific review of your deadline as soon as possible after the attack.
What damages can I recover from a dog-bite claim?
You may recover compensation for medical treatment and ongoing care, scarring or disfigurement, nerve injury and chronic pain, lost wages, and emotional distress or trauma. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of treatment, and how the attack has affected your daily life and work. Medical records from UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies or your other providers will document your losses.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a dog-bite case?
McCormick & Murphy handles dog-bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. The firm earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You do not pay a fee upfront. Costs related to investigating and preparing the case—such as obtaining medical records, expert reports, or court filings—are advanced by the firm and are separate from the attorney fee. Discuss the specific terms and fee arrangement during your consultation.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Loveland 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 Loveland claim
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