Dog Bite Lawyer Golden

A dog bite leaves more than scars. The fear, the confusion, the sudden realization that someone else’s pet just changed your day—or your child’s sense of safety—is not something you can simply shake off. And when it happens in Golden, where everyone seems to know everyone, the idea of taking action against a neighbor or a friend feels impossible.

But the injury is real. The medical bills are real. The trauma your child wakes up with at night is real. And the law in Colorado is clear: dog owners are responsible for what their animals do.

At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we represent people who have been bitten or attacked by dogs throughout Golden and the surrounding areas. We know how complicated these cases feel emotionally. We also know how to handle them legally—and we do it with the respect and care your situation deserves.

Colorado’s Dog Bite Law Protects You

Colorado holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their dogs cause. That means you do not have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had a history of aggression. If a dog bites you and causes serious bodily injury, the owner is responsible under Colorado Revised Statute § 13-21-124.

Serious bodily injury includes broken bones, lacerations requiring stitches, nerve damage, scarring, or any injury that causes substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or loss of function. In practical terms, most dog bites that require medical attention meet this standard.

This strict liability rule exists because dogs can cause devastating harm in seconds—and victims should not be forced to investigate the animal’s history or the owner’s state of mind before they can seek compensation.

What to Do Right After a Dog Bite in Golden

The moments after a dog bite are disorienting. If you or your child has been bitten, here is what you need to do:

• Get medical attention immediately. Even bites that look minor can cause serious infection. Dog mouths carry bacteria that can lead to sepsis, tissue damage, and worse. Go to the emergency room or urgent care. Do not wait to see if it gets better.
• Report the bite to Golden Animal Control. This creates an official record and ensures the dog is evaluated for rabies and quarantined if necessary. Call the Jefferson County Animal Control at (303) 271-5070.
• Document everything. Take photos of the injury, your torn clothing, and the location where the attack happened. Write down what you remember while it is still fresh.
• Get the dog owner’s information. Name, address, phone number, and homeowner’s insurance information. If a witness saw what happened, get their contact information too.
• Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company. They will use your words against you. Speak with a lawyer first.

If your child was bitten, your instinct is to comfort them and make sure they are okay. Do that. But also make sure you take the steps above. Their injury deserves the same documentation and protection as any adult’s—and children often suffer deeper emotional trauma that takes time to surface.

Types of Injuries We See in Dog Bite Cases

Dog bites cause a range of injuries, from puncture wounds to life-altering disfigurement. Common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations that require stitches, surgery, or skin grafts
• Broken bones, especially in the hands, arms, or facial bones when victims try to protect themselves
• Nerve damage that can cause permanent loss of sensation or motor function
• Infections such as cellulitis, sepsis, or rabies exposure
• Scarring and disfigurement, particularly on the face, neck, and hands
• Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and phobia of dogs

Children are especially vulnerable. They are smaller, closer to a dog’s mouth, and more likely to be bitten on the face and head. They also carry the emotional weight of the attack for years, sometimes requiring therapy, medications, and ongoing mental health support.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite Injury?

In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy covers dog bite injuries. These policies typically include liability coverage that pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by the policyholder’s dog.

Insurance companies, however, do not simply write checks because you were hurt. They will investigate. They will try to minimize your injury. They will look for reasons to deny or reduce your claim. They may argue that you provoked the dog, that you were trespassing, or that the injury was not as serious as you claim.

That is where we come in. We handle the insurance company so you can focus on healing. We gather the evidence, present the medical records, and make it clear that your claim is not going away.

What If the Dog Owner Is Someone You Know?

This is the hardest part for most people. The dog that bit you belongs to your neighbor. Or your child’s friend’s family. Or someone you see at the park every week. You do not want to ruin a relationship or be seen as the person who sued over an accident.

But this is not about blame. It is about responsibility. Dog owners carry insurance specifically for situations like this. Filing a claim does not mean you are taking money out of your neighbor’s pocket—it means you are using the insurance system the way it was designed to be used.

You did not ask to be bitten. Your child did not ask to be traumatized. You have the right to be made whole, and that right does not disappear because you know the dog’s owner.

We handle these cases with sensitivity. We understand the social dynamics in a place like Golden, and we work to resolve claims professionally and fairly—without unnecessary conflict.

Compensation Available in a Dog Bite Case

If you file a dog bite claim, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including emergency room visits, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and future medical care
• Lost wages if you missed work while recovering from your injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement, which can require plastic surgery or revision procedures
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
• Psychological trauma, including therapy, counseling, and medication for anxiety or PTSD
• Loss of quality of life if the injury prevents you from doing activities you once enjoyed

For children, psychological trauma is often the most significant and longest-lasting injury. A child who is attacked by a dog may develop a lifelong fear of animals, struggle with nightmares, avoid going outside, or experience anxiety in social settings. These are real injuries that deserve real compensation.

The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Colorado

You have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado. If you miss that deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation—no matter how severe your injuries.

Two years may sound like a long time, but it is not. Medical treatment takes time. Scars take time to heal—or not heal. The full extent of your child’s emotional trauma may not become clear for months. And insurance companies move slowly, especially when they think you will give up.

The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the stronger your case will be. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Medical records get lost. We start building your case from day one.

Do You Need to Prove the Dog Was Dangerous?

No. Colorado’s strict liability statute does not require you to prove the dog had bitten someone before or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to show that the dog bit you and caused serious bodily injury.

This is different from some other states, where you have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of aggression. In Colorado, the law recognizes that dog bites are serious, unpredictable, and often caused by animals with no prior incidents.

That said, if the dog did have a history of aggression—or if the owner ignored warning signs—that strengthens your case. We investigate every angle to make sure the full picture is presented.

What If the Bite Happened on Public Property?

Dog bites do not only happen in backyards. They happen on sidewalks, in parks, on hiking trails, and at public events. If you were bitten in a public place in Golden—Clear Creek Trail, Fossil Trace Golf Club, or anywhere else—you still have the right to file a claim against the dog’s owner.

Colorado law requires dogs to be under control at all times. Leash laws vary by city, but in Golden, dogs must be leashed in most public areas unless in a designated off-leash zone. If a dog was off-leash and attacked you, that is additional evidence of owner negligence.

Why Choose McCormick & Murphy, P.C.

Dog bite cases are personal. They involve fear, pain, and often a sense of guilt or confusion about what to do next. You need a lawyer who understands that—and who will fight for you without making you feel like just another case number.

Kirk McCormick and Jay Murphy have spent their careers representing people who have been hurt through no fault of their own. We know how to handle insurance companies. We know how to prove the full value of your injury—both the bills you can see and the trauma you cannot. And we know how to do it with the respect and care you deserve.

We serve clients throughout Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Aurora, Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, and across the Denver metro area. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, we want to hear from you.

Call us at 888-668-1182 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation. We will listen to what happened, explain your rights, and help you decide what to do next. You do not owe us anything unless we win your case.