Arapahoe County · Homeowner's insurance
Greenwood Village Dog Bite Insurance Lawyers
Greenwood Village dog bite claims often turn on homeowner's insurance, and we offer a free consultation with no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Homeowner and Renter Insurance Claims After a Dog Bite
When a dog bites someone in Greenwood Village, the claim is usually presented to the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy. That policy is often the practical source of any recovery, since most dog owners do not have the personal assets to pay a claim out of pocket. But not every policy covers dog bites, and coverage is never automatic.
Some homeowner and renter policies contain exclusions. A policy may exclude coverage for certain breeds, for a dog with a documented prior bite, or for a dog kept for business purposes rather than as a pet. The specific language in the policy controls what is and is not covered, and that language varies from insurer to insurer and policy to policy. We do not assume a bite is covered until we have reviewed the actual policy.
Our work in these cases starts with identifying the correct insurer and requesting the policy itself. We look at the declarations page, the liability section, and any endorsements or exclusions that might apply to the dog or the circumstances of the bite. From there we build the claim around what the policy actually says, not around assumptions about what homeowner's insurance typically covers.
Denied or Delayed Claims
Insurers sometimes deny a claim outright, and sometimes they simply delay responding while asking for more documentation or more time. Either situation can raise a genuine coverage question worth examining closely. A delay might reflect legitimate investigation of the facts, or it might reflect an insurer sitting on a valid claim. We look at the timeline and the insurer's stated reasons before drawing any conclusion.
Not every denial is mishandled, and we are careful not to label routine claims processing as bad faith. But in the right case, how an insurer investigated and communicated about a claim can itself become an issue. We evaluate the insurer's file, the reasons given for denial or delay, and whether the response was reasonable given the information available to the insurer at the time.
- The dog owner's name and address, and any insurance information they provide
- Photos of the bite injury and the location where it happened
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Medical records and bills from treatment received
- Any written communication from an insurance company, including denial or delay letters
Handling Insurance Claims From Greenwood Village
We handle homeowner and renter insurance claims for dog bite incidents throughout Greenwood Village, including near Belleview Avenue, Orchard Road, and University Boulevard, as well as in neighboring Englewood and Cherry Hills Village. Many residents in this area carry homeowner or renter policies through national insurers, and those policies often contain specific exclusion language that requires careful reading. If a claim in this area proceeds to litigation, it would typically be filed in Arapahoe County, with hearings held at the Arapahoe County Justice Center.
People injured by a dog in this area often receive initial treatment at HCA HealthONE Swedish or Sky Ridge Medical Center. Those medical records become an important part of the insurance claim file, showing the nature and extent of the injury and connecting the treatment to the incident. We work with clients to gather that documentation and present it to the insurer as part of a complete claim.
What an Insurance Claim May Cover
- Medical expenses related to treating the bite
- Scarring or disfigurement from the injury
- Pain and suffering associated with the bite and recovery
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Future medical care if ongoing treatment is needed
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 Homeowner's insurance FAQ
Does homeowner's insurance always cover a dog bite in Greenwood Village?
Not always. Coverage depends on the specific policy language, including any breed exclusions or exclusions for a dog with a prior bite history. We review the actual policy before assuming coverage applies.
What if the dog owner is a renter instead of a homeowner?
Renter policies can provide similar liability coverage for dog bites, subject to their own exclusions and limits. We identify whether the owner has a renter policy and review its terms the same way we would a homeowner policy.
What happens if the insurer denies the claim?
A denial raises a coverage question that we look into closely, including the insurer's stated reasons and whether the policy language actually supports that denial. Not every denial is improper, but we do not accept a denial without reviewing the basis for it.
What if the insurance company is slow to respond?
Delay can happen for legitimate reasons, such as an insurer gathering more information, but it can also signal a problem with how the claim is being handled. We monitor the timeline and follow up so the claim keeps moving.
Do I need to know the insurance details before contacting your firm?
No. We can help identify the dog owner's insurer and request the policy as part of our work on your claim. Bring whatever information you have, and we will take it from there.
Discuss a Greenwood Village dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.