El Paso County · Colorado dog-bite statute
Fort Carson Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Bitten near Fort Carson? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Owner Liability Under Colorado's Dog Bite Statute
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold 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. This applies whether the bite happened along Nelson Boulevard, near U.S. Highway 85, or anywhere else in the Fort Carson area where military families, contractors, and civilians share housing areas and public roads with dogs.
The statute does not require proof that the owner knew the dog had bitten before. That is a meaningful difference from older negligence rules, and it matters for families living on or near post who may not know a neighbor's dog history before an attack occurs.
The statutory claim covers economic damages. If the bite left scarring, caused ongoing pain, or otherwise created noneconomic loss, a separate negligence claim may be needed to reach those damages. We evaluate both angles together so nothing gets left out of a Fort Carson bite case.
Building the Case Near Fort Carson
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. Medical records from Evans Army Community Hospital or UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central often document exactly this kind of injury, which is why we move quickly to secure them along with photographs, incident reports, and witness statements.
Defenses like provocation or trespass, and the statute's specific exclusions for certain working dogs and people handling dogs as part of their job, can come up in these cases. We do not assume extra exceptions exist beyond what the statute lists, and we push back when an insurer tries to stretch a defense further than the law allows.
- Photos of the injury and the location, including any Fort Carson housing area or roadway
- Contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- Medical records and discharge paperwork from treatment
- Any animal control or incident report filed
- Names of neighbors or personnel who saw the dog before or after the bite
Handling Fort Carson Dog Bite Claims
Fort Carson sits alongside communities like Fountain, Security-Widefield, and Colorado Springs, and dog bite injuries here can involve civilian owners, military housing, or shared public spaces near U.S. Highway 85. Jurisdiction and evidence gathering can get complicated when an incident touches both post property and surrounding El Paso County land, so we sort out early who owns the dog and where the bite legally occurred.
Claims arising from these incidents are typically filed in El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs is a short drive from Fort Carson, and we meet with clients from the post and surrounding neighborhoods to review records and build the claim.
What a Fort Carson Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment and follow-up care costs
- Lost income during recovery
- Scarring and disfigurement, addressed through a negligence claim where applicable
- Pain and suffering under a separate negligence theory
- Future medical needs tied to the injury
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 Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Does it matter if the dog never bit anyone before?
No. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, owner liability does not require proof the owner knew about a prior bite. If the bite caused serious bodily injury and you were lawfully present, that history is not a required element.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. A bite that does not meet this standard may still support a claim, but it would typically proceed as a negligence case instead.
Can the dog owner argue I provoked the dog?
Provocation and trespass are recognized defenses under the statute. We look closely at what actually happened, including where you were and what led up to the bite, to address any defense the owner raises.
Does the statute cover pain and suffering?
The statutory claim is aimed at economic damages. Noneconomic losses like pain and suffering or scarring often require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory one.
Where would a Fort Carson area case be filed?
Cases from Fort Carson and the surrounding area are typically filed in El Paso County Combined Courts. We handle the filing details and can meet with you at our Colorado Springs office.
Discuss a Fort Carson dog bite
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