Larimer County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Fort Collins Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Fort Collins dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Fort Collins. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado's Dog Bite Statute Covers Fort Collins Bite Victims
McCormick & Murphy are Fort Collins dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Larimer County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog bite statute, 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. That covers a lot of everyday situations in Fort Collins, from a walk near College Avenue to a visit at someone's home off Harmony Road.
One of the most useful features of this statute is that it does not require proof the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. Under general negligence law, a victim often has to show the owner had reason to know the dog was dangerous. This statute removes that barrier for qualifying injuries, which can make a real difference in how a claim is built and argued.
The statute's liability applies to economic damages. If the bite also caused scarring, pain, or other noneconomic harm, recovering for those losses may require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We look at both angles from the start so nothing gets left on the table.
Proving Serious Bodily Injury Under C.R.S. § 13-21-124
The statute's strongest protection applies to serious bodily injury, meaning a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. A bite that does not rise to that level may still support a claim, but it would typically proceed under ordinary negligence principles rather than the statute itself. We evaluate the medical picture early to determine which path fits your injury.
The statute also allows defenses and exclusions, including provocation and trespass, along with specific circumstances involving certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs at the time of the bite. Owners and insurers often raise these defenses quickly, so documenting what actually happened - where you were, what the dog was doing, and whether you had any lawful right to be there - matters from day one.
- Get medical care and keep all records describing the injury
- Photograph wounds, torn clothing, and the location of the bite
- Identify the dog owner and any witnesses on scene
- Note whether you were on public property or lawfully on private property
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with us
Serving Fort Collins, Larimer County, and Nearby Communities
We handle dog bite claims arising throughout Fort Collins, including areas near College Avenue, Harmony Road, and Mulberry Street, as well as surrounding communities like Loveland and Wellington. Injuries from these incidents are often treated at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, and those medical records become part of building the claim.
When a claim requires filing suit, cases from Fort Collins are typically handled through the Larimer County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we work with clients throughout the area by phone, video, and in-person meetings as needed, so distance is not a barrier to getting your case handled properly.
Investigating Fort Collins Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Fort Collins dog bite statute lawyers serving Larimer County victims injured in public places or while lawfully on private property. Colorado's statute holds owners liable without requiring proof the dog bit before.
- Statute Covers Serious Bodily Injury: C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 applies when a bite causes serious bodily injury—meaning substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. The statute covers economic damages; noneconomic losses like scarring or pain typically require a separate negligence claim.
- Denver Office Serves Fort Collins Area: The nearest firm office is in Denver. McCormick & Murphy work with Fort Collins clients by phone, video, and in-person meetings as needed. Cases from Fort Collins file through the Larimer County Justice Center. Distance is not a barrier to proper case handling.
Economic Losses Fort Collins Dog Bite Victims Can Pursue
- Medical treatment and follow-up care costs
- Lost income from time away from work
- Scarring and disfigurement, pursued through a negligence claim where applicable
- Pain and suffering, pursued through a negligence claim where applicable
- Other economic losses tied directly to the injury
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.
Clear Answers on Fort Collins Dog Bite Statute Claims
Do I need Fort Collins dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Fort Collins dog bite statute lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The nearest office is in Denver, CO.
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Under Colorado's dog bite statute, you generally do not need to show the owner knew the dog had a history of biting. This is a key difference from a standard negligence claim, which often does require that kind of proof.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or a protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. If your injury does not meet that standard, you may still have a claim, but it would likely be pursued as a negligence case instead.
Can I recover for scarring or pain and suffering?
The dog bite statute itself covers economic damages. Recovering for scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses typically requires bringing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when it happened?
The statute can still apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property at the time of the bite. Whether your presence was lawful is often a key fact we examine early in the case.
Are there defenses an owner can raise?
Yes. The statute recognizes defenses such as provocation and trespass, along with specific circumstances involving certain working dogs and people handling dogs as part of their job. We review the facts of your incident to see whether any of these apply and how to respond.
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Discuss Your Fort Collins Dog Bite Statute Case
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