Jefferson County · Facial scarring
Golden Dog Bite Scarring Lawyers
Golden dog bite scarring case? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Facial Scarring and Colorado's Dog Bite Law
Colorado's dog bite statute makes an owner liable for economic damages when a dog causes serious bodily injury, and serious permanent disfigurement can fall within that definition. A facial bite that leaves a lasting mark on someone is exactly the kind of injury the law was written to address.
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages, including medical bills tied to the bite. But scarring itself is a noneconomic loss, meaning pain, disfigurement, and the emotional toll of a visible scar. Recovering for that side of the injury often requires a separate negligence claim against the owner, built on how the dog was kept, handled, or known to be dangerous.
We look at both paths in every Golden case: the statutory claim for medical costs and other economic loss, and a negligence claim for the scarring and disfigurement itself. Building both from the start protects the full value of the case.
Proving a Facial Scarring Claim
Scarring cases are won or lost on documentation. Photos taken right after the bite, then again as the wound heals, then months later once the scar has settled, show the jury or adjuster how the injury actually progressed. Treating records from emergency care, any follow-up for infection or nerve involvement, and notes from a plastic surgeon or dermatologist all matter.
We do not promise a particular medical outcome or guess at future surgery costs. What we do is gather the full record, connect it to the dog owner's conduct, and let the documented facts drive the value of the claim. That includes wound care notes, referral records, and any recommendation for scar revision down the road.
- Photos of the wound taken as soon as possible after the bite
- Follow-up photos as the injury heals over the following weeks and months
- All emergency and follow-up treatment records
- Contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- Records of any infection, nerve symptoms, or referral to a specialist
Golden Dog Bite Scarring Cases
Golden residents dealing with a serious facial bite often receive initial treatment locally before being referred for wound care or scar management, sometimes at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. We track down those records regardless of where treatment happened, from an urgent visit near Washington Avenue to follow-up care in Lakewood or Arvada.
Dog bite incidents in Golden happen in neighborhoods along West Colfax Avenue, near Colorado Highway 93, and in residential areas throughout the city. If a claim needs to be filed, it would proceed in Jefferson County Courts, and we handle that process while coordinating with the medical providers involved in a client's care.
Damages in a Facial Scarring Case
- Emergency and follow-up medical treatment
- Costs related to infection or nerve injury care
- Scar revision or reconstructive treatment when recommended
- Pain and disfigurement from a visible facial scar
- Emotional impact of a permanent facial injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Golden — 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.
Golden Facial scarring FAQ
Does a facial scar automatically qualify as serious bodily injury under Colorado's dog bite law?
Serious permanent disfigurement can fall within the statute's definition of serious bodily injury, but whether a specific scar qualifies depends on the facts. We review the medical records and photos to assess where a case fits under the law.
Can I recover for the scar itself, not just my medical bills?
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages like medical care. Compensation for the scarring and disfigurement itself, as a noneconomic loss, often requires a separate negligence claim against the owner.
What proof do I need for a facial scarring claim?
Photos taken over time, from right after the bite through the healing process, are central. Treating records covering emergency care, infection, nerve injury, or referral to a specialist round out the proof.
Will you tell me what my scar revision surgery will cost?
No. We do not promise a particular medical outcome or invent a plastic surgery cost. We rely on your actual treating records and any documented recommendations from your providers.
Where would a Golden dog bite scarring claim be handled?
If a lawsuit is necessary, it would generally proceed in Jefferson County Courts. We manage that process while also coordinating with treating providers, including facilities like CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood.
Discuss a Golden dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.