Fremont County · Colorado dog-bite statute
Florence Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
A Florence dog bite can trigger owner liability under Colorado's dog-bite statute. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
Owner Liability Under Colorado's Dog Bite Statute
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can make a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property at the time. This applies whether the bite happened along Main Street, near East 3rd Street, or off Colorado Highway 115. The law does not require the injured person to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before.
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages, things like medical costs and lost income tied to the injury. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses often require a separate negligence claim built alongside the statutory claim. We look at both angles from the start so a Florence client is not left short on what they can recover.
The statute lists defenses and exclusions, including provocation and trespass, and it addresses certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs at the time of the bite. We do not assume exceptions beyond what the statute states, and we push back when an insurer tries to stretch a defense further than the law allows.
What Serious Bodily Injury Means, and What We Gather
Serious bodily injury under the statute means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. A Florence dog bite that leaves lasting scarring, nerve damage, or impaired use of a hand or leg can meet that bar. A less severe bite may still support a standard negligence claim even if it falls short of the statutory definition, so we evaluate both paths.
We gather medical records from providers such as CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City, photos of the injury as it heals, and any incident report or animal control record tied to where the bite occurred, whether that's near Penrose, along East 3rd Street, or elsewhere in Fremont County. Witness accounts and the location details help establish that the injured person was lawfully present when the dog bit them.
- Get medical care and keep all records and bills
- Photograph the injury, the location, and the dog if safe to do so
- Get the dog owner's name, address, and contact information
- Report the bite so an official record exists
- Write down where you were and why you were lawfully there
Handling Florence Dog Bite Claims Locally
Dog bite cases arising in Florence and around Fremont County are typically filed in Fremont County Combined Courts in Cañon City. We handle the local filing and procedural steps so clients in Florence, Penrose, and nearby areas don't have to navigate that on their own.
Our office is at 301 N. Main Street in Pueblo, and we work with Florence clients by phone, video, or in person as needed. We know the area from Main Street to Colorado Highway 115 and use that familiarity to track down witnesses, animal control records, and other local evidence tied to the bite.
Damages We Pursue
- Medical expenses for treatment of the bite
- Lost income from time away from work
- Scarring and disfigurement under a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering under a negligence claim
- Future medical care if the injury requires ongoing treatment
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 Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before to win my case?
No. Colorado's dog-bite statute does not require proof that the owner knew about a prior bite. Liability can attach based on the bite itself and where you were lawfully located when it happened.
What if my Florence dog bite didn't cause serious bodily injury?
The statute's owner liability applies to bites causing serious bodily injury or death, but a lesser injury may still support a standard negligence claim. We evaluate the facts to determine which claim, or both, fits your situation.
Can I recover for scarring or pain and suffering under the statute?
The statute itself covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses generally require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What defenses do dog owners raise in these cases?
Common defenses include provocation and trespass. The statute also addresses certain working dogs and people handling dogs as part of their job at the time of the bite, though we don't assume defenses beyond what the law states.
Where would my Florence dog bite case be filed?
Cases arising from bites in Florence and Fremont County are typically filed in Fremont County Combined Courts in Cañon City. We manage that filing process for our clients.
Discuss a Florence dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.