Arapahoe County · Dog Bites and Attacks
Englewood Dog Bite Lawyers
Englewood dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 285 and Hampden Avenue and across Englewood. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Englewood Dog Bite Claims Under Colorado's Strict Liability Law
McCormick & Murphy are Englewood dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Englewood Police Department report, the HCA HealthONE Swedish records, and file in the Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Colorado law holds dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in public places or when the victim is lawfully on private property. This means we don't need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous—only that the dog bit you and caused injury. We also pursue separate negligence claims when an owner's carelessness (like failing to restrain or warn) led to the attack.
Dog attacks near U.S. Highway 285, South Broadway, Hampden Avenue, or Santa Fe Drive—as well as parks, sidewalks, and residential areas throughout Englewood—can happen suddenly. Whether the incident occurred in Englewood proper, nearby Littleton, Sheridan, Centennial, or Greenwood Village, we gather evidence of ownership, control, the dog's history, and the circumstances that allowed the bite to occur.
Investigating Englewood Dog Bite Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Englewood dog bite lawyers who obtain Englewood Police Department reports, HCA HealthONE Swedish records, and file in Arapahoe County Justice Center under Colorado's strict liability law.
- Evidence Collection Throughout Englewood: We gather animal-control reports from Englewood Police Department, vaccination records, ownership documents, photographs of wounds, medical records from HCA HealthONE Swedish, witness statements, and prior-incident reports showing the dog had bitten before.
- Denver Office Serving Englewood: The Denver office serves dog bite cases in Englewood, Littleton, Sheridan, Centennial, and Greenwood Village. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you. 60+ years combined experience with Arapahoe County local evidence and venue.
- Englewood Office Location Anchor: Clients meet with our team at Denver, CO — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Proving Ownership, Negligence, and Injury Severity After an Englewood Attack
Proof starts with establishing who owned or controlled the dog at the time of the attack. We obtain animal-control reports filed with the Englewood Police Department, vaccination records, license information, and ownership documents. Photographs of your wounds taken immediately after the incident, and at follow-up visits, are critical to showing the severity of injury.
We also collect medical records from HCA HealthONE Swedish or other treatment providers, witness statements, prior-incident reports that show the dog had bitten or attacked before, and proof of any insurance coverage the owner carried. When negligence is a factor—such as the dog being off-leash in violation of local ordinance or the owner ignoring warnings—we document that conduct alongside the statute of liability.
Local investigations may involve Englewood Police Department, scenes in Sheridan or Centennial, parks, trails, and residential yards.
After a dog bite or attack in Englewood, gather and preserve these items:
- Animal control report filed with Englewood Police Department
- Dog owner or keeper identification and contact information
- Vaccination records and ownership/registration documents for the dog
- Property address where the bite occurred (home, yard, street, public place)
- Medical records from HCA HealthONE Swedish or other treatment facility, including emergency room visit, follow-up care, and any infection treatment
- Photographs of injuries taken immediately after the incident and at later healing stages
- Photographs of the location where the attack happened
- Names and contact details of all eyewitnesses
- Written statements or accounts from witnesses about the dog's behavior and the attack
- Any prior incidents involving the same dog (police reports, complaints, neighbor accounts)
- Insurance information for the property owner or dog owner
- Records of lost wages, therapy, or other out-of-pocket costs related to the bite
- Documentation of emotional distress or psychological injury (therapy records, counselor notes)
- Any video footage from nearby security cameras
- Hospital discharge summaries and wound-care instructions
Treating Punctures, Infection, and Scarring From a Dog Attack
Dog bites often require immediate emergency care to clean the wound, control bleeding, and begin antibiotic treatment. Puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into tissue, causing serious infection. Nerve damage, tendon injury, and significant scarring are common, especially on the face, hands, or limbs.
Beyond the physical injury, many victims experience anxiety, fear of dogs, and emotional distress that affects their daily life. We account for all medical expenses—emergency room visits, surgery, wound care, infection treatment, and plastic surgery for scarring—as well as therapy and counseling costs. Our goal is to ensure your compensation covers both what you've already spent and ongoing care you may need.
Official Englewood hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
What Your Englewood Dog Bite Claim May Recover
- Emergency room and hospital treatment, including wound care and infection management
- Surgical repair, plastic surgery, and scar revision procedures
- Prescription medications, antibiotics, and ongoing wound care supplies
- Lost wages during recovery and any permanent loss of earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, scarring, and emotional trauma from the attack
- Mental health counseling and therapy for fear or anxiety related to dogs
We file your claim in Arapahoe County Justice Center if settlement negotiations do not resolve the case fairly.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Englewood — 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.
Fault, Liability, and Deadlines in Englewood Dog Bite Cases
Do I need Englewood dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Englewood 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 Englewood?
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds a dog owner liable for damages if the dog injures someone, even if the dog has no prior history of biting. The injury must occur in a public place or while the victim is lawfully in a private place. Additionally, claims may be brought under negligence theory if the owner knew the dog was dangerous or failed to exercise reasonable care. Our office reviews both statutory and negligence theories based on the specific facts of your case.
How long do I have to file a dog-bite claim after an incident in Englewood?
The deadline depends on whether you are suing a private owner, a property owner, or a public entity such as the city or a county agency. Private injury claims generally have a two-year statute of limitations, but claims against governmental entities in Arapahoe County can carry stricter deadlines and require early written notice. Contact us promptly after your incident so we can evaluate your specific situation and ensure all deadlines are met.
What damages can I recover in a dog-bite case?
You may recover compensation for medical treatment costs, including emergency care at HCA HealthONE Swedish and ongoing wound care or surgery; scarring and permanent disfigurement; infection or other complications; lost wages due to recovery time or follow-up appointments; pain and suffering; and emotional distress or anxiety related to the attack. We evaluate all economic and non-economic losses caused by the bite.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog-bite cases?
We handle dog-bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fee unless we settle your case or win at trial. Court costs and case expenses are separate from the attorney fee and depend on the complexity of your claim. We discuss all costs with you upfront before moving forward.
What should I do immediately after being bitten by a dog in Englewood?
First, seek medical attention right away, especially if the bite is deep or bleeding heavily. Report the incident to the Englewood Police Department and animal control. Take photographs of your injuries and the location where the bite occurred. Get the dog owner's and all witnesses' names and contact information. Preserve any evidence, such as torn clothing. Then contact our Denver office for a free case evaluation. Early documentation and legal review protect your rights and help us build the strongest claim possible.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Englewood 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 Englewood Dog Bite Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.