Dog Bite Lawyer Greeley

A dog bite can change everything in seconds. One moment you or your child is walking down the street or visiting a friend’s home. The next, you’re bleeding, scared, and dealing with an injury you never saw coming.

You might know the dog. You might know the owner. That doesn’t make the bite hurt less. It doesn’t erase the fear your child now feels around animals. And it doesn’t pay the emergency room bill that arrived in the mail this week.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in Greeley, you have rights. Colorado law holds dog owners responsible when their animals cause harm—even if the dog has never been aggressive before. Even if the owner is a neighbor or a friend.

At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we represent people who have been injured by dogs throughout Greeley and the surrounding communities. We know this isn’t the kind of case you ever wanted to bring. But we also know that your injury is real, your medical bills are real, and the trauma—especially for children—is real.

You can reach us at 888-668-1182 for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your options, and help you understand what happens next.

Colorado’s Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know

Colorado has what’s called a strict liability statute for dog bites. That means if a dog bites you in a place where you have a legal right to be, the owner is responsible. Period.

You don’t have to prove the owner was careless. You don’t have to prove the dog was dangerous. You don’t have to show a history of aggression. The bite itself is enough.

This is important because many dog owners—good people who love their pets—will tell you their dog has never done this before. They’ll apologize. They’ll say it was out of character. And they may genuinely believe that.

But under Colorado law, none of that changes their liability. If their dog bit you, they are responsible for your injuries.

When Dog Bites Happen in Greeley

Dog bites don’t follow a pattern. They happen in parks, on sidewalks, in front yards, and inside homes. They happen to adults and children. They happen with dogs the victim knows and dogs they’ve never met.

Common scenarios we see include:

• A child bitten while playing in a neighbor’s yard
• An adult bitten while jogging or walking in a public area
• A delivery driver or mail carrier bitten on the job
• A guest bitten inside someone’s home
• A pedestrian bitten by a dog that escaped its yard or broke free from a leash

What matters legally is not where it happened, but whether you had a right to be there. If you were lawfully present—on a public sidewalk, at a friend’s house with permission, delivering a package—the owner is liable.

The Real Cost of a Dog Bite

The immediate injury is only part of the story. A serious dog bite can lead to:

Infection and scarring. Dog mouths carry bacteria. Even a bite that doesn’t look severe can become infected quickly. Puncture wounds are especially risky. Scarring is common, particularly on the face, hands, and arms.

Nerve damage. Deep bites can sever or damage nerves, leading to numbness, weakness, or chronic pain that lasts long after the wound heals.

Permanent disfigurement. Facial bites often require reconstructive surgery. Even with excellent medical care, scars may remain.

Psychological trauma. This is especially true for children. A dog bite can create lasting fear of animals, anxiety in public spaces, and nightmares that persist for months or years.

Lost wages. If the bite required surgery, physical therapy, or multiple medical appointments, you may have missed work. If you work with your hands or in a job that requires physical labor, recovery time can mean lost income.

Insurance companies often try to minimize these injuries. They may offer a quick settlement that covers your initial emergency room visit but nothing more. That check won’t cover the plastic surgery your child needs next year. It won’t cover the therapy sessions to help them feel safe again.

Homeowner’s Insurance and Dog Bite Claims

Most dog bite claims are covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance. That means you’re not taking money directly from your neighbor or friend. You’re filing a claim with their insurance company—the same way you would after a car accident.

The insurance company has a duty to investigate the claim and provide coverage up to the policy limits. They will likely assign an adjuster to your case. That adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.

Their job is to pay as little as possible. They may ask you to give a recorded statement. They may offer a settlement before you’ve finished treatment. They may suggest that you provoked the dog or that the injury isn’t as serious as you claim.

You do not have to accept their first offer. You do not have to give a statement without legal representation. And you do not have to settle before you know the full extent of your injuries.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Greeley

The steps you take immediately after a dog bite can affect both your health and your legal claim. Here’s what to do:

Get medical attention right away. Even if the bite seems minor, see a doctor. Dog bites can become infected quickly, and some injuries—like nerve damage—may not be obvious at first. An emergency room visit or urgent care appointment creates a medical record that documents your injury.

Identify the dog and owner. If possible, get the owner’s name, address, and contact information. Find out if the dog is vaccinated against rabies. If the dog is a stray or the owner is unknown, report the bite to Greeley Animal Control immediately.

Document everything. Take photos of your injuries as soon as possible and throughout the healing process. Photograph torn clothing, the location where the bite occurred, and any visible scarring. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and prescriptions.

Report the bite. Colorado law requires that certain dog bites be reported to local authorities. Reporting the bite creates an official record and helps protect others from future attacks.

Don’t give a statement to the insurance company. The dog owner’s insurance company may contact you quickly. Be polite, but do not give a recorded statement or sign anything without speaking to a lawyer first. What you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.

Proving Your Dog Bite Claim

Because Colorado has a strict liability statute, proving your claim is often more straightforward than other personal injury cases. You need to show:

• A dog bit you
• You suffered an injury
• You were lawfully on public or private property when the bite occurred

Medical records, photographs, and witness statements are the strongest evidence. If neighbors saw the attack, if someone called 911, if animal control responded—all of that supports your claim.

If the dog has bitten someone before, that can strengthen your case, but it’s not required. Even a first-time bite creates liability for the owner.

When the Dog Owner Is Someone You Know

One of the hardest parts of a dog bite case is when the dog belongs to someone you know. A neighbor. A family member. A friend.

You may feel guilty about filing a claim. You may worry about damaging the relationship. You may think it’s easier to just let it go and move on.

But your injury is real. Your child’s fear is real. The medical bills are real. And the law exists to protect you in exactly this situation.

Filing a claim doesn’t mean you’re suing your friend out of spite. It means you’re holding their insurance company responsible for covering the harm their insured animal caused. That’s what insurance is for.

Most homeowner’s policies are designed to handle exactly this kind of claim. The insurance company will pay your medical bills, your lost wages, and compensation for your pain and suffering—up to the policy limits.

Your relationship with the dog owner is your business. But your right to compensation for a legitimate injury is a legal matter, and it exists whether the dog belongs to a stranger or someone you’ve known for years.

Dog Bites Involving Children

Children are at higher risk for serious dog bite injuries. They’re smaller, their faces are closer to a dog’s mouth, and they may not recognize warning signs that an adult would notice.

When a child is bitten, the injury is often more than physical. A dog bite can create a lasting fear of animals, anxiety in social situations, and trauma that affects their daily life.

Insurance companies sometimes try to downplay these psychological injuries. They may argue that the child will “get over it” or that the fear isn’t worth compensating. That’s not true, and it’s not the law.

Psychological trauma is a real injury. If your child needs therapy, if they have nightmares, if they’re afraid to go outside—that’s compensable harm. A fair settlement should account for the emotional impact, not just the stitches.

Time Limits for Filing a Dog Bite Claim in Colorado

In Colorado, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. That might sound like a long time, but it goes quickly.

Medical treatment takes time. Gathering evidence takes time. Negotiating with the insurance company takes time. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to compensation entirely.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the stronger your case will be. Witnesses’ memories fade. Photos taken weeks after the bite are less compelling. Medical records are easier to obtain when the treatment is recent.

Why You Need a Greeley Dog Bite Lawyer

You can file a dog bite claim without a lawyer. But the insurance company knows that, and they will take advantage of it.

They will offer you less than your claim is worth. They will pressure you to settle before you know the full extent of your injuries. They will ask you questions designed to undermine your claim. And they will do it all while sounding friendly and concerned.

A lawyer levels the playing field. When you have legal representation:

• The insurance company can’t contact you directly and pressure you into a bad settlement
• Someone with experience is calculating the true value of your claim—including future medical costs and long-term impact
• You have an advocate who will fight for full compensation, not a quick check
• You can focus on healing while someone else handles the legal process

At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we have represented clients throughout Greeley, Loveland, Fort Collins, and the surrounding areas in dog bite cases. We know how these claims work. We know the tactics insurance companies use. And we know how to build a case that gets results.

How We Handle Dog Bite Cases

When you call us, we start by listening. We want to know what happened, how you’re doing, and what questions you have. This is a free consultation. No pressure. No obligation.

If you decide to move forward, we handle everything:

Investigation. We gather medical records, photographs, witness statements, and any reports filed with animal control or law enforcement.

Insurance negotiations. We contact the dog owner’s insurance company and handle all communication. You don’t have to talk to them or worry about saying the wrong thing.

Demand and settlement. We calculate the full value of your claim and present a demand to the insurance company. Many cases settle at this stage.

Litigation if necessary. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.

You don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you. That’s how personal injury cases work. We take the financial risk so you don’t have to.

Serving Greeley and Northern Colorado

We represent clients in Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Brighton, and throughout Weld and Larimer Counties. If you were bitten by a dog anywhere in northern Colorado, we can help.

Our office is located in Denver at 1547 N Gaylord St Unit 303, Denver, CO 80206, but we work with clients throughout the state. You can call us at 888-668-1182 anytime to discuss your case.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

A dog bite is not your fault. Whether it happened on a public street, in a neighbor’s yard, or inside someone’s home, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries.

You didn’t ask for this. But now that it’s happened, you deserve a lawyer who will take it seriously. Someone who will fight for full compensation. Someone who understands that this isn’t just about the bite—it’s about the fear, the scars, the medical bills, and the way this injury has changed your life or your child’s life.

That’s what we do at McCormick & Murphy, P.C. If you were bitten by a dog in Greeley or anywhere in northern Colorado, call us at 888-668-1182. We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you understand what comes next.

Your consultation is free. You don’t pay unless we win your case. And you don’t have to go through this alone.