Fremont County · Child dog-bite injuries
Florence Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A Florence child dog bite lawyer helping families after a bite. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How a Child's Dog Bite Claim Works
When a dog bites a child in Florence, the first question is where the child was and whether that place was lawful for the child to be. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, a child who was lawfully in a public place, or lawfully on the dog owner's property, can have a claim against the owner if the bite caused serious bodily injury. We look closely at where the bite happened, whether the child had a right to be there, and how serious the injury was.
We do not assume a certain age makes a claim stronger or weaker, and we do not assume a child's actions before the bite rule out a claim. Instead, we look at what the child was actually doing at the time, whether the statute fits those facts, or whether a separate negligence claim against the owner makes more sense for the circumstances.
Because the injured person is a minor, a parent or guardian typically needs to bring or manage the claim on the child's behalf. We help families understand what that involves and handle the legal work so parents can focus on their child's recovery.
Documenting a Child's Injury Over Time
Children's injuries from dog bites do not always look the same right after the incident as they will months or years later. Facial and body scarring can change as a child grows, and some scars need more than one stage of treatment over time. We work to document the injury early and keep tracking it as the child develops, since photographs and medical records taken close in time to the bite can matter later.
If your child was treated at CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City or by any other provider, we gather those records along with witness accounts from wherever the bite occurred, whether that was near Main Street, East 3rd Street, or elsewhere in the Florence area. We also keep in mind that noneconomic losses like scarring are not automatically covered under the statute, so building a record that supports a negligence claim can be an important part of the case.
- Photos of the bite and any scarring, taken at different points as it heals
- Medical records from every visit, including any follow-up or specialist care
- Names and contact information of any adults or other children who saw the bite
- Notes on where the bite happened and whether your child had permission to be there
- Any communication with the dog owner or their insurance company
Handling Cases From Florence and Fremont County
We represent Florence families whose children were bitten in neighborhoods and areas across the region, including near Main Street, East 3rd Street, along Colorado Highway 115, and in nearby Cañon City and Penrose. Dog bite incidents involving children often happen in familiar, everyday places, at a neighbor's house, a relative's yard, or out walking, and we take the time to understand exactly what happened in each case.
If a claim moves forward in court, cases from Florence are typically handled through Fremont County Combined Courts in Cañon City. Our office is located at 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003, and we work with families throughout Fremont County to manage their child's claim from the first consultation through resolution.
What a Child's Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment already received and reasonably expected future care
- Scarring and its physical effects as the child continues to grow
- Pain and emotional distress connected to the incident
- Costs related to any additional treatment stages, such as revision procedures
- Other losses tied directly to the child's injury and recovery
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Florence — and read client testimonials.
A pickup hit me from behind on Hwy 50 east of Pueblo. The insurer offered $2,600. McCormick & Murphy helped with treatment, filed suit, and the case settled at mediation for $165,000.
C. O., Pueblo · Highway 50 crash
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Florence Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim go forward even if they were on the dog owner's property?
It can, as long as your child was lawfully on the property at the time. We look at the specific circumstances of the visit and how the injury occurred to determine how the claim fits under the law.
Does it matter what my child was doing right before the bite?
We look at the full picture of what your child was doing and where they were, rather than assuming any single fact rules out a claim. Every situation is different, and we evaluate it based on the actual events.
Do I need to file the claim myself since my child is a minor?
In most cases, a parent or guardian needs to bring or manage the claim on the child's behalf. We can walk you through what that involves for your specific situation.
Will my child's scarring automatically be covered?
Not necessarily. Scarring and other noneconomic losses are not automatic under the dog bite statute, which is why we often look at whether a separate negligence claim applies to fully address these injuries.
What if my child needs more treatment as they get older?
We take future treatment needs into account when evaluating a claim, since scarring and related injuries can require care that extends well beyond the initial incident. We do not guess at exact costs, but we work to account for reasonably expected future care.
Discuss a Florence dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.