Arapahoe County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Englewood Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Englewood dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Englewood. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute For Englewood Bite Injuries
McCormick & Murphy are Englewood dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when their dog causes serious bodily injury or death to someone who was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether the bite happened on South Broadway, along Hampden Avenue, near Santa Fe Drive, or anywhere else in Englewood where a person had a legal right to be.
One of the most useful features of this statute for injured people is that it does not require proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten before. Under general negligence law, a victim often has to show the owner had reason to suspect the dog posed a risk. The statute removes that burden for qualifying injuries, which can make a claim more straightforward to prove.
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages tied to the injury. If the bite also caused scarring, disfigurement, or pain and suffering, recovering those noneconomic losses may require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate which legal theories fit an Englewood client's injuries and pursue them together where appropriate.
What HCA HealthONE Swedish Records Show About The Injury
Because the statute turns on whether the injury meets the definition of serious bodily injury, medical documentation matters. Records from a visit to HCA HealthONE Swedish or another provider that describe the wound, treatment, and any risk of disfigurement or lasting impairment help establish whether the statutory threshold is met. A lesser injury does not disappear from consideration; it may instead support a standard negligence claim against the owner.
We also look closely at where the bite happened and whether the injured person had a legal right to be there, since lawful presence in a public place or on the owner's property is central to the statute. Witness accounts, animal control records, and details about the location, whether near a neighborhood park, a business on South Broadway, or a residential street in Littleton or Sheridan, help confirm that element and address any claim of provocation or trespass raised by the owner.
- Get medical care and keep records describing the wound and any lasting effects
- Photograph the injury and the location where the bite occurred
- Identify the dog owner and any witnesses at the scene
- Report the incident to local animal control
- Avoid giving a statement to the owner's insurer before speaking with us
Serving Englewood From South Broadway To Hampden Avenue
We work with Englewood clients bitten in neighborhoods across the city, from South Broadway and Hampden Avenue to Santa Fe Drive and the residential areas bordering Littleton and Sheridan. Understanding where an incident occurred helps us apply the statute's requirement that the injured person be lawfully present at the time.
Dog bite claims arising in Englewood are typically handled through Arapahoe County, with court proceedings at the Arapahoe County Justice Center when litigation becomes necessary. Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly represent clients throughout the surrounding Arapahoe County area.
Investigating Englewood Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Englewood dog bite statute lawyers serving Arapahoe County clients injured under Colorado's strict liability law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, with office access from Denver.
- No Prior Bite Proof Required: Colorado's dog-bite statute does not require proof that the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone previously, removing the burden often found in general negligence claims and making qualifying injury cases more straightforward to prove.
- Arapahoe County Justice Center Filing: Englewood dog bite matters are filed in Arapahoe County Justice Center. Our Denver office serves clients bitten on South Broadway, Hampden Avenue, Santa Fe Drive, and residential areas bordering Littleton and Sheridan throughout Arapahoe County.
Economic Losses From A Dog Bite In Englewood
- Medical expenses for treatment of the bite
- Future medical costs for scarring or reconstructive care
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering under a related negligence claim
- Costs tied to disfigurement or lasting impairment
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.
Clear Answers On Englewood's Dog-Bite Statute
Do I need Englewood dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Englewood dog bite statute lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The nearest office is in Denver, CO.
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Colorado's dog-bite statute does not require proof that the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone previously. This is different from many negligence claims involving animals, where prior knowledge is often central.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It generally means an injury involving a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ function. A bite that does not reach this level may still support a claim through ordinary negligence.
Can I recover for scarring or pain and suffering?
The statute itself covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses often require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What if the owner says I provoked the dog or was trespassing?
Provocation and trespass are recognized defenses under the statute, along with specific exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs during the incident. We evaluate the facts to determine whether any of these actually apply to your case.
Where would my Englewood case be handled if it goes to court?
Englewood dog bite matters are typically connected to Arapahoe County, with court proceedings held at the Arapahoe County Justice Center when a case cannot be resolved otherwise. We handle these matters from our Denver office.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
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