Larimer County · Facial scarring
Fort Collins Dog Bite Scarring Lawyers
Fort Collins facial scarring after a dog bite? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Facial Scarring and Your Legal Claim
Colorado's dog bite statute allows a claim against an owner for economic damages when a bite causes serious bodily injury, and serious permanent disfigurement can fall within that definition. A facial bite that leaves a lasting mark is exactly the kind of injury the law was written to address.
The statute itself focuses on economic losses like medical bills and related costs. The pain, disfigurement, and emotional toll of a visible facial scar are noneconomic losses, and pursuing compensation for those typically requires a separate negligence claim against the owner rather than relying on the statute alone.
We build both pieces of the case together from the start: the economic claim tied to your medical treatment, and the negligence claim addressing how the scarring has affected your life. We do not promise a specific medical or cosmetic outcome, but we make sure both legal avenues are pursued so nothing is left on the table.
Documenting the Injury and Its Progress
Facial scarring cases turn heavily on documentation over time. Photographs taken soon after the bite, during healing, and at intervals afterward show how the wound changed and whether it left a permanent mark. Treating records from emergency care, any infection treatment, nerve evaluation, and follow-up visits fill in the medical picture.
If scar revision or other reconstructive care is discussed, those records matter too, but we do not estimate or promise a particular cost or result. We work from what your treating providers document and what your own photos and daily experience show, and we build the claim around that evidence.
- Photograph the wound regularly as it heals, including close-up and distance shots
- Follow up on any signs of infection or nerve symptoms with your provider
- Keep all emergency and follow-up medical records from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or other providers
- Save any referrals or recommendations for scar care or reconstructive evaluation
- Write down how the visible scarring has affected daily life and interactions
Handling Facial Scarring Claims in Larimer County
Dog bite cases from Fort Collins and nearby areas like Loveland and Wellington, and busy corridors such as College Avenue, Harmony Road, and Mulberry Street, often proceed through the Larimer County Justice Center. We're familiar with how these claims move through the local court system.
We're based in Denver but handle facial scarring cases for clients throughout the Fort Collins area, coordinating with local medical providers and reviewing treatment records regardless of where you received care.
Losses We Evaluate in Scarring Cases
- Emergency and follow-up medical treatment
- Infection treatment and related complications
- Nerve injury evaluation and care
- Scar revision or reconstructive consultation
- Pain, disfigurement, and emotional impact of visible scarring
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fort Collins — 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.
Fort Collins Facial scarring FAQ
Does facial scarring automatically qualify under the dog bite statute?
Serious permanent disfigurement can qualify as serious bodily injury under Colorado's dog bite statute, which supports a claim for economic damages like medical bills. Whether a particular scar meets that threshold depends on the specific facts, which we evaluate case by case.
Can I recover for the emotional impact of a facial scar, not just medical bills?
The statute covers economic damages such as medical care, but compensation for the emotional and noneconomic impact of scarring generally requires a separate negligence claim. We pursue both types of claims together when the facts support it.
Will you tell me what my scar revision will cost?
No. We don't estimate or promise medical or cosmetic outcomes or costs. We rely on your treating providers' records and recommendations to document the injury and its treatment.
What if my scar is still healing and I don't know the final result yet?
That's common with facial injuries, since scarring can change over months. We recommend continuing to photograph and document the healing process and staying in contact with your provider, and we can begin building the claim while treatment continues.
Do I need to have seen a plastic surgeon to have a claim?
No. Many facial bite injuries are first treated in emergency care, and a referral to a specialist may come later, if at all. What matters most is documenting the injury and treatment you actually received.
Discuss a Fort Collins dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.