Jefferson County · Fatal dog attacks
Golden Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
A fatal dog attack in Golden is a wrongful-death matter, and we offer a free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats a Fatal Dog Attack
Losing a family member to a dog attack is a tragedy that also raises hard legal questions. Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death and the person who died was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property at the time. That statute establishes a basis for holding an owner responsible for the physical injury the dog caused.
But the dog-bite statute alone does not answer who in the family may bring a claim after a death. That question is controlled by Colorado wrongful-death law, which sets out which family members have standing to file and in what order. We do not guess at this in the abstract; it depends on the specific family situation, and we walk through it with each family we represent.
In practice, a fatal dog attack case often combines the dog-bite statute's grounds for owner responsibility with a wrongful-death claim brought on behalf of the family. We handle both pieces together so the family does not have to sort out which law applies to which part of the loss.
Wrongful-Death Claims and What They Cover
If your family has lost someone in a fatal dog attack, we encourage you to also review our wrongful-death page. It explains, in more detail, who may file a wrongful-death claim under Colorado law and what kinds of losses that claim is meant to address. We built that page to stand on its own for families dealing with any wrongful death, not just a dog attack, so it goes deeper into the wrongful-death rules than we do here.
A fatal attack investigation can also draw on animal-control and police records generated at the time of the incident. These records often document the dog's history, the circumstances of the attack, and statements taken at the scene. We work to identify and secure this kind of documentation early, before it becomes harder to locate.
- Any animal-control or police report number or reference from the incident
- Contact information for witnesses who saw the attack or its aftermath
- Photos of the scene, the dog, or the property if available
- Records identifying the dog's owner or the property where the attack occurred
- Any prior complaints or knowledge of the dog's behavior that family or neighbors are aware of
Handling Fatal Attack Claims From Golden
We work with families across Golden and Jefferson County, from neighborhoods near Washington Avenue and West Colfax Avenue to areas along Colorado Highway 93 and out toward Lakewood and Arvada. A fatal dog attack claim connected to Golden may move through Jefferson County Courts, and injuries from an attack are sometimes treated at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood before the outcome becomes fatal or in related care.
Our office is in Denver, and we meet with Golden families where it works best for them during what is an extremely difficult time. We handle the legal work, including gathering records and coordinating with the wrongful-death side of the claim, so the family can focus on each other.
What a Fatal Attack Claim May Address
- Losses connected to the death itself under Colorado wrongful-death law
- Medical care the victim received before death, where applicable
- The circumstances and cause of the fatal attack
- The dog owner's responsibility under the dog-bite statute
- Records from animal-control and police involvement in the incident
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 Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Can our family bring a claim if a dog attack in Golden caused a death?
It's possible, and it typically involves both the dog-bite statute and Colorado wrongful-death law. Who exactly may file depends on the family's specific circumstances, which is something we review with you directly.
Does the dog-bite statute cover fatal attacks?
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death, provided the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's property. It addresses the owner's responsibility for the physical harm caused.
Who decides which family member can file the wrongful-death claim?
That is governed by Colorado wrongful-death law, not the dog-bite statute. We recommend reviewing our wrongful-death page and speaking with us so we can walk through the standing rules as they apply to your family.
What records matter most in a fatal dog attack case?
Animal-control and police records from the incident are often central, along with witness accounts and any documentation of the dog's history. We work to locate and preserve these records as part of building the claim.
Do you handle both the dog-bite claim and the wrongful-death claim together?
Yes. A fatal attack often involves both the dog-bite statute's grounds for owner responsibility and a separate wrongful-death claim on behalf of the family. We coordinate both parts rather than treating them separately.
Discuss a Golden dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.