El Paso County · Child dog-bite injuries
Fort Carson Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A child bitten by a dog near Fort Carson deserves careful legal help. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
Dog Bites Involving Children
When a child is lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property and a bite causes serious bodily injury, Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. section 13‑21‑124, can apply. We look closely at where the child was and what happened before and during the bite to see whether the statute fits or whether a negligence claim is the better path.
We do not assume a child cannot have contributed to what happened, and we do not apply a fixed age rule. Instead we look at the facts: what the child was doing, whether the dog had a history, and how the property owner or dog owner handled the animal around children. Every case turns on its own facts, especially with young children who cannot always explain what happened.
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 involvement looks like as the claim moves forward, without guessing at exact court procedures that may apply.
Building the Record Early
Children's injuries can look different over time. A wound that seems minor at first can leave scarring that becomes more noticeable as a child grows, particularly on the face or other visible areas. We want to see medical records from the start, including care at Evans Army Community Hospital or UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, so we can track how the injury has changed and what treatment has already been tried.
We also gather information about the dog and the location, including any prior incidents, how the dog was kept, and witness accounts from anyone nearby. For families near Fort Carson, Fountain, or Security-Widefield, this often means talking to neighbors, animal control contacts, or others who saw the dog before or during the bite. The sooner we start this work, the better we can preserve details that fade with time.
- Photos of the injury taken soon after the bite and as it heals
- Names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident
- Medical records from every visit related to the bite
- Information about the dog's owner and any prior incidents involving that dog
- Notes on where the bite happened and whether the child was invited onto the property
Serving Families Near Fort Carson
Families living on or near the installation, along Nelson Boulevard, or near U.S. Highway 85 bring their children to different hospitals depending on the situation, and we work with records from Evans Army Community Hospital as well as UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central. If a claim needs to move forward in court, that typically happens through El Paso County Combined Courts, which serves this area.
We meet with families from Fountain, Security-Widefield, and Colorado Springs at our office at 929 W Colorado Ave. Military families often have questions about how a move or deployment affects a pending claim, and we do our best to work around scheduling that comes with life at Fort Carson.
What a Child's Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment already received and reasonably expected future care
- Scarring and its physical effects, pursued through a negligence claim where the statute alone does not cover it
- Pain and emotional distress connected to the incident
- Costs tied to follow-up treatment or specialist visits
- Other losses tied directly to the bite and its aftermath
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fort Carson — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Fort Carson Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim move forward if the dog owner says my child provoked the dog?
We do not assume a child automatically avoids responsibility, but we also do not assume the opposite. We look at what the child was actually doing, the child's age and understanding, and how that fits under the statute or a negligence claim.
Do I need to file the claim myself since my child is a minor?
In most cases a parent or guardian needs to be involved in bringing or managing the claim on the child's behalf. We can walk you through what that involvement looks like as your case moves forward.
My child's scar looks small now. Is it still worth pursuing?
Scarring on a child can change as they grow, and a small mark now does not always predict how it will look later. We often recommend documenting the injury early and revisiting it as healing continues, especially for facial scarring.
Will the statute cover my child's scarring automatically?
Not necessarily. Noneconomic losses such as scarring are not automatic under the dog bite statute and may need to be pursued through a separate negligence claim depending on the facts.
Which hospital records matter if my child was treated at Evans Army Community Hospital?
We ask for complete records from any facility that treated your child, including Evans Army Community Hospital or UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central. Complete records help us track the injury from the first visit through any follow-up care.
Discuss a Fort Carson dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.