Arapahoe County · Child dog-bite injuries
Greenwood Village Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A Greenwood Village child dog bite raises questions parents shouldn't sort out alone. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
How Colorado Law Treats a Bite to a Child
If a child was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property when the bite happened, and the bite caused serious bodily injury, the claim can fall within C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124. We look closely at where the child was and what they were doing at the time, since that shapes whether the statute applies or whether the claim needs to be built on a negligence theory instead.
Questions about a child's conduct around a dog come up often, and we do not assume a set answer. We gather the facts of what the child was doing, who was supervising, and how the incident unfolded, then evaluate whether the statute fits or whether a negligence claim is the better route.
Because the injured person is a minor, a parent or guardian typically needs to bring or manage the claim on the child's behalf. We can walk a family through what that involves without guessing at procedural details that depend on the specific case.
Documenting a Child's Injury as They Grow
A bite to a child's face or body can leave scarring that changes as the child grows, sometimes requiring more than one round of treatment over time. We work to document the injury early and keep records that reflect how it develops, since a single set of photos or notes taken right after the bite may not capture the full picture months or years later.
Noneconomic losses like scarring are not automatically recoverable under the dog-bite statute alone. Depending on the facts, pursuing compensation for scarring and related harm may require building a negligence claim alongside or instead of the statutory claim, which is part of why early evidence-gathering matters.
- Photos of the wound taken soon after the bite and as it heals
- Names of anyone who saw the incident, including other children or parents
- Medical records from any treatment the child received
- Notes on where the bite happened and what the child was doing beforehand
- Contact information for the dog's owner if known
Handling a Child's Claim in Greenwood Village
Bites involving children in Greenwood Village can happen near Belleview Avenue, Orchard Road, or University Boulevard, as well as in nearby Englewood or Cherry Hills Village. Whether the incident happened at a park, a neighbor's yard, or a shared walking path affects how we evaluate the statutory 'lawfully present' question for the child.
A child's injury claim arising in Arapahoe County may need to go through the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Our office is in Denver, and we work with families throughout the Greenwood Village area to manage a minor's claim from the medical side through any필요 legal steps.
What a Child's Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment for the initial injury and any follow-up care
- Future treatment tied to scarring as the child grows
- Pain and suffering, where a negligence claim applies
- Costs related to counseling if the child experienced fear or distress
- Travel and related expenses tied to ongoing medical appointments
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Greenwood Village — 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.
Greenwood Village Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim fall under the Colorado dog-bite statute?
It can, if the child was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property and the bite caused serious bodily injury. We review the specific circumstances to see whether the statute applies or whether the claim fits better as a negligence case.
What if my child was playing with the dog before the bite?
We do not assume that playing with or approaching a dog rules out a claim. We look at what the child was actually doing and where, and evaluate the claim based on those facts rather than a blanket rule.
Do I need to file the claim myself since my child is a minor?
In most situations a parent or guardian brings or manages the claim on the child's behalf. The exact procedure depends on the case, and we can explain the steps once we know the details.
Will my child's scarring be covered automatically?
Not necessarily. Scarring and other noneconomic losses are not automatic under the dog-bite statute, so recovering for them may require pursuing a negligence claim alongside or instead of the statutory claim.
Where would a Greenwood Village child's dog bite case be handled?
Claims arising in Greenwood Village generally fall within Arapahoe County, and related court matters may go through the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Our office is in Denver, and we work with families across the area throughout the process.
Discuss a Greenwood Village dog bite
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