Dog Bite Lawyer Englewood

A dog bite can happen in an instant. One moment your child is walking past a neighbor’s yard. The next there is blood, panic, and a trip to the emergency room. The physical wounds are obvious. The emotional ones often take longer to show.

You did not expect this. You should not have had to. And if you feel conflicted about taking action because you know the dog owner or because the dog seemed friendly, you are not alone. Most people feel that way. It does not change the fact that your injury or your child’s injury is real. It does not change the medical bills or the fear that lingers after.

At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we represent families and individuals in Englewood who have been bitten or attacked by a dog. We know how these cases work. We know what homeowner’s insurance covers. And we know that holding a dog owner accountable is not about being vindictive. It is about making sure you are not left carrying the cost of someone else’s responsibility.

Understanding Colorado’s Dog Bite Law

Colorado takes dog bites seriously. Under state law, a dog owner is strictly liable if their dog bites someone who is lawfully on public or private property. That means you do not have to prove the owner was negligent. You do not have to prove the dog had a history of aggression. If the bite happened, the owner is responsible.

This strict liability standard applies whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before or not. The fact that the dog was always friendly to your family does not eliminate the owner’s legal responsibility. The law recognizes that dog owners have a duty to control their animals and that victims should not have to prove the unpredictable nature of an animal in order to recover compensation.

There are limited exceptions. If someone was trespassing or provoking the dog, liability may not apply. But if you or your child was walking on a sidewalk, visiting a friend’s home with permission, or simply standing in your own yard, the law is on your side.

The Real Cost of a Dog Bite

A dog bite is not just a scratch. Even seemingly minor bites can lead to serious infections. Puncture wounds can damage nerves, tendons, and muscle tissue. Facial injuries can leave permanent scars. And children, because of their size and the way they interact with animals, are especially vulnerable to severe injuries to the face, neck, and hands.

Beyond the physical harm, there is the emotional toll. Many dog bite victims, especially children, develop a lasting fear of dogs. They may be afraid to play outside. They may have nightmares. They may struggle to feel safe in places they once loved. This is not overreacting. This is trauma, and it deserves to be acknowledged and compensated.

Medical treatment for dog bites can include emergency room visits, wound care, antibiotics, rabies shots, surgery, physical therapy, and counseling. The bills add up quickly. And if the bite results in permanent scarring or disfigurement, future costs may include reconstructive surgery or ongoing psychological support.

Infection Risks You Should Not Ignore

Dog mouths carry bacteria. A bite that breaks the skin can introduce bacteria deep into tissue, leading to infections like cellulitis, sepsis, or even rabies if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown. Some infections do not show symptoms immediately. That is why medical attention after any dog bite is critical, even if the wound looks minor at first.

If you or your child has been bitten, do not wait to see if it gets worse. Get it evaluated. Document it. Follow the treatment plan. These steps protect your health and create a record that supports your claim.

When the Dog Owner Is Someone You Know

This is the part that feels hardest. The dog belongs to your neighbor. Or a family friend. Or a relative. You do not want to cause problems. You do not want to seem like you are attacking them personally. You just want the medical bills covered and some assurance that this will not happen to another child.

Here is what you need to know: in almost every case, a dog bite claim is handled by the owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. You are not taking money out of their pocket. You are seeking compensation from an insurance company that exists specifically to cover this kind of liability. The dog owner will not be writing you a check. The insurance company will.

That does not mean the process will be easy. Insurance companies often minimize dog bite claims. They will argue the injury was not that serious. They will question whether the dog really bit unprovoked. They will offer a quick settlement that does not come close to covering your losses. They count on you feeling guilty or uncomfortable pushing back.

You should not have to navigate that alone. You should not have to be the one arguing with the adjuster while your child is still healing. That is what we do. We deal with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Englewood

The moments after a dog bite are chaotic. But the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can make a significant difference in your ability to recover compensation later.

First, seek medical attention. Even if the wound does not look serious, have it evaluated by a medical professional. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, and some injuries are deeper than they appear. A doctor’s assessment creates a medical record that documents the injury, the treatment required, and the potential for complications.

Second, identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Ask whether the dog is up to date on vaccinations, especially rabies. If the bite happened in a public place and you do not know the owner, try to get contact information from any witnesses or report the incident to Englewood animal control.

Third, document everything. Take photographs of the injury from multiple angles. Photograph the location where the bite occurred. If your clothing was torn or bloodied, keep it. Write down what happened while the details are still fresh. Note the time, the circumstances, and anything the dog owner said.

Fourth, report the bite to the appropriate authorities. In Englewood, that typically means contacting the Arapahoe County Animal Control or local law enforcement. A formal report creates an official record of the incident and helps ensure the dog is properly quarantined and evaluated for rabies.

Finally, contact a dog bite lawyer before you speak to the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters may call quickly, often while you are still dealing with the immediate aftermath. They may seem sympathetic. They may offer a settlement right away. Do not accept anything or give a recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you initially realized.

Compensation You Can Recover

A dog bite claim can include several types of compensation. Medical expenses are the most obvious: emergency room bills, follow-up care, prescriptions, therapy, and any future treatment related to the injury. If the bite causes scarring or disfigurement, you may be entitled to compensation for reconstructive procedures.

Lost wages are also recoverable if you missed work while recovering or attending medical appointments. If the injury prevents you from returning to work at full capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity.

Pain and suffering accounts for the physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma caused by the attack. This is especially significant in cases involving children, who may develop lasting anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress. The law recognizes that a dog bite is more than a physical injury. The fear and psychological impact are real, and they deserve to be compensated.

In some cases, if the dog owner’s behavior was particularly reckless or if the dog had a known history of aggression that the owner ignored, you may be entitled to punitive damages. These are designed to punish the owner and deter similar conduct in the future.

How Long You Have to File a Claim

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is generally two years from the date of the injury. That might sound like a long time, but it is not. Medical treatment takes time. Healing takes time. And building a strong case requires gathering records, interviewing witnesses, and negotiating with insurance companies.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the stronger your case will be. Evidence is easier to collect when memories are fresh. Medical records are easier to obtain when the treatment is still ongoing. And insurance companies take you more seriously when they know you have legal representation from the start.

Waiting too long can also mean losing your right to file a claim altogether. If the statute of limitations expires, you are barred from pursuing compensation, no matter how serious your injury.

Why Homeowner’s Insurance Matters

Most homeowner’s insurance policies include liability coverage that applies to dog bites. That means when a dog bites someone on the owner’s property or while under the owner’s control, the insurance company is responsible for covering the victim’s damages up to the policy limits.

This is important for two reasons. First, it means you are not suing your neighbor or friend personally. You are filing a claim with their insurance company. Second, it means there is a source of compensation available to cover your medical bills and other losses.

However, some policies exclude certain breeds or have restrictions on coverage for dog bites. Some insurance companies will deny a claim based on fine print or technicalities. And some will offer a settlement that is far less than what your case is actually worth. That is why you need someone who knows how to read these policies, challenge denials, and push back when the offer is too low.

What Happens If the Dog Owner Has No Insurance

If the dog owner does not have homeowner’s insurance or if their policy does not cover dog bites, you may still have options. In some cases, you can pursue compensation directly from the dog owner. In others, your own homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may provide coverage under medical payments or personal liability provisions.

These situations are more complicated, and they require an attorney who understands how to identify all possible sources of recovery. You should not assume there is no path forward just because the dog owner claims they do not have insurance.

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

We start by listening. We want to understand what happened, how it has affected you or your child, and what your concerns are. We know this is not just about money. It is about feeling safe again. It is about making sure your child gets the care they need. It is about holding the right party accountable.

Once we take your case, we handle everything. We gather medical records and bills. We document your injuries and photograph any visible scars or wounds. We communicate with the insurance company so you do not have to. We investigate the dog’s history and whether the owner had any prior knowledge of dangerous behavior. We consult with medical experts to establish the full extent of your damages, including future treatment needs.

We negotiate aggressively. Insurance companies know we are prepared to take cases to trial if they refuse to offer fair compensation. That knowledge changes the negotiation. It means we can often secure a settlement that truly reflects what you have been through, not just what the insurance company hopes you will accept.

If a fair settlement is not possible, we are ready to file a lawsuit and take your case to court. We have experience presenting dog bite cases to juries, and we know how to tell your story in a way that is compelling and credible. We do not back down.

Serving Englewood and Surrounding Communities

McCormick & Murphy, P.C. represents clients throughout Englewood and the greater Denver area, including Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn, Commerce City, Aurora, 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. Our office is located at 1547 N Gaylord St UNIT 303, Denver, CO 80206, and we are available to meet with you in person, by phone, or by video call.

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, you do not have to figure this out on your own. You have rights. You have options. And you deserve to have someone on your side who knows how to protect both.

Call us at 888-668-1182 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation. There is no cost to talk to us. No obligation. Just honest answers about where you stand and what comes next.