Arapahoe County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Greenwood Village Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Greenwood Village dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Greenwood Village. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute And Claims In Greenwood Village
McCormick & Murphy are Greenwood Village dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. That covers a lot of ordinary situations around Greenwood Village, from a walk along Orchard Road to a visit to a friend's home near Belleview Avenue.
A key feature of this statute is that we do not have to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone before. Unlike a traditional negligence claim built on prior notice, the statute imposes liability based on what happened this time, provided the injury meets the serious bodily injury standard and the person was lawfully present.
The statute's liability is for economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses often require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate both angles from the start so a Greenwood Village client is not leaving compensation on the table.
Medical Records And Proof Under C.R.S. § 13-21-124
Because the statute turns on serious bodily injury, meaning a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ, medical documentation matters. Records from HCA HealthONE Swedish or Sky Ridge Medical Center help establish the extent of the injury and support either the statutory claim or a negligence claim if the injury falls short of that threshold.
Location also matters. We look at whether the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property when the bite occurred, whether it happened on a path near University Boulevard, in a yard bordering Englewood or Cherry Hills Village, or elsewhere in the area. We also examine potential defenses the owner might raise, including provocation or trespass, and the statute's limited exclusions for certain working dogs and people handling dogs as part of their job.
- Photos of the injury, the location, and any visible signage or fencing
- Names and contact information for witnesses nearby
- Medical records from treatment at Sky Ridge, Swedish, or elsewhere
- Any animal control or incident report filed after the bite
- Information about the dog and owner, including where the bite occurred
Where Do Serious Dog Bites Happen In Greenwood Village?
We work with clients throughout Greenwood Village, including areas around Belleview Avenue, Orchard Road, and University Boulevard, as well as neighboring communities like Englewood and Cherry Hills Village. Bites happen in yards, on sidewalks, and at shared community spaces, and where the bite occurred can affect whether the statute's public-place or private-property requirement is met.
If a claim proceeds through the court system, matters connected to Greenwood Village are typically handled at the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly assist clients from Arapahoe County communities in sorting out the statutory claim, any related negligence claim, and the evidence needed to support both.
Investigating Greenwood Village Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Greenwood Village dog bite statute lawyers serving clients throughout Arapahoe County. We investigate claims under C.R.S. § 13-21-124 for bites causing serious bodily injury when victims were lawfully in a public place or on private property.
- Arapahoe County Local Bite Evidence: We examine whether the bite occurred while you were lawfully present in a public place or on the owner's property—whether on a path near University Boulevard, in a yard bordering Englewood or Cherry Hills Village, or elsewhere around Greenwood Village. We gather medical records from HCA HealthONE Swedish or Sky Ridge Medical Center to establish serious bodily injury, photos of the injury and location, witness information, and any animal control reports to support both the statutory claim and any related negligence claim for scarring, pain, and noneconomic losses.
- Local Claim Coordination: We coordinate local investigation, medical records, and court filing from our nearest office, with home or hospital meetings when travel is difficult.
Medical Expenses And Other Losses In A Greenwood Village Dog-Bite Claim
- Medical expenses connected to treatment of the bite
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Economic damages recoverable under the dog-bite statute
- Pain, scarring, and other noneconomic losses through a negligence claim
- Future medical or rehabilitation costs tied to the injury
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.
Answers About Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute
Do I need Greenwood Village dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Greenwood Village dog bite statute lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The nearest office is in Denver, CO.
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before to win under the Colorado statute?
No. The statute does not require proof the owner knew the dog had a history of biting. That is one of the key differences from a traditional negligence claim.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part or organ. A less severe bite may still support a negligence claim instead.
Can I recover for scarring or pain under the dog-bite statute?
The statute itself covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses typically require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What defenses do dog owners raise in these cases?
Common defenses include provocation and trespass. The statute also lists exclusions for certain working dogs and for people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite happens during that work.
Where would my case be handled if I was bitten in Greenwood Village?
Claims connected to Greenwood Village are generally handled through the Arapahoe County court system, including the Arapahoe County Justice Center. We can walk you through what that process looks like for your situation.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss Your Greenwood Village Dog Bite Statute Case
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