Douglas County · Dog Bites and Attacks
Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Lawyers
Highlands Ranch dog bite lawyers for bites on C-470 and U.S. Highway 85 and across Highlands Ranch. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Claims Under Colorado's Strict Liability Law
McCormick & Murphy are Highlands Ranch dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Douglas County Sheriff's Office report, the UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital records, and file in the Douglas County Justice Center.
Colorado law holds a dog owner strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog, even if the owner had no knowledge of the dog's dangerous tendencies. This means you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was aggressive—only that the dog bit you and caused injury. We evaluate whether the attack occurred on public property, private property, or the owner's premises, because location and circumstances affect both liability and available defenses.
Beyond the statutory claim, we also examine whether negligence played a role: was the dog adequately restrained, was there a prior incident, or did the owner ignore warning signs? Homeowner's or renter's insurance often covers dog-bite liability, and we identify all available coverage. Our Denver office works with Highlands Ranch residents to document every detail of how the bite occurred, who witnessed it, and what the owner knew or should have known about the dog's behavior.
Investigating Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Highlands Ranch dog bite lawyers who obtain Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports, UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital records, and file in the Douglas County Justice Center under Colorado's strict liability law.
- Evidence We Gather: Animal-control reports filed with Douglas County, vaccination records, ownership documentation, prior-incident history, photographs of injuries, medical records from UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, witness statements, and insurance information to determine coverage limits.
- Recoverable Damages: Medical expenses including emergency care and ongoing wound treatment, future medical and reconstructive procedures such as scar revision and skin grafts, lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering compensation for scarring and trauma, and emotional distress treatment for anxiety or PTSD.
Evidence That Proves Your Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Claim
We obtain animal-control reports filed with Douglas County, vaccination records, ownership documentation, and any prior-incident history. Photographs of your injuries taken at the scene and throughout healing are critical. Medical records from UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital or your emergency provider establish the severity of the bite, whether stitches or surgery were needed, infection risk, and ongoing treatment.
Witness statements from neighbors, passersby, or others present at the time are powerful. We also request prior complaints or prior-bite reports involving the same dog, which can support a claim that the owner knew or should have known of a dangerous tendency. Insurance information is gathered to determine coverage limits and policy language that may apply.
Local investigations may involve Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, scenes in Lone Tree or Centennial, parks, trails, and residential yards.
Following a dog bite or attack, collect and preserve:
- Medical records and bills from UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital or other treatment providers
- Photographs of all injuries, taken shortly after the attack and during healing
- Names, phone numbers, and statements from anyone who witnessed the attack
- Animal control report filed with Douglas County Sheriff's Office or local animal control
- Dog owner's name, address, phone number, and homeowner's or renter's insurance information
- Veterinary records showing the dog's vaccination history and prior incidents
- Evidence of the location: street address, whether on public property or private property, fencing, signage
- Any prior complaints or reports involving the same dog
- Documentation of lost wages, medical leave, or ongoing medical care
- Journal entries or records describing pain, scarring, infection, or emotional distress
- Police report if officers responded to the scene
- Any communications (texts, emails, letters) with the dog owner or their insurance company
Preserve all evidence in original form and do not discuss settlement without legal advice.
What Injuries Result From A Dog Attack In Highlands Ranch?
Dog bites commonly cause puncture wounds that can introduce bacteria deep into tissue, leading to infection and cellulitis. Nerves and blood vessels may be damaged, causing numbness, tingling, loss of function, or chronic pain. Surgical debridement, antibiotics, tetanus shots, and sometimes reconstructive surgery are necessary. Scarring and disfigurement are frequent outcomes, especially on the face, hands, arms, or legs.
Beyond physical injury, many bite victims experience anxiety, phobias around dogs, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress. Children are particularly vulnerable to lasting psychological effects. We account for both present medical costs and future care—including wound care, scar revision, physical therapy, and mental-health treatment—when calculating your claim's full value.
Official Highlands Ranch hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Medical Expenses And Damages After A Highlands Ranch Dog Bite
- Medical bills: emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, antibiotics, and ongoing wound treatment at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital or other providers
- Future medical and reconstructive procedures: scar revision, skin grafts, therapy, or additional surgeries to restore function and appearance
- Lost wages: income lost during recovery and any reduced earning capacity if the bite causes permanent disability or scarring affecting your work
- Pain and suffering: compensation for physical pain, scarring, disfigurement, and the acute trauma of the attack
- Emotional distress and psychological treatment: therapy, counseling, or psychiatric care for anxiety, phobias, PTSD, or depression resulting from the bite
- Punitive damages: in cases where the owner's conduct was reckless or showed clear disregard for others' safety, Colorado law may allow additional damages
We pursue these damages through settlement negotiations with the owner's insurance company or, if necessary, by filing suit in Douglas County Justice Center.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Highlands Ranch — 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 Liability, Deadlines, And Filing In Highlands Ranch
Do I need Highlands Ranch dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Highlands Ranch dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
What does Colorado law require to hold a dog owner liable for a bite?
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds owners liable if their dog bit someone, the person was in a public place or lawfully in a private place, and the bite caused injury. The owner's knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensity is not required. Additionally, we may pursue a negligence claim if the owner failed to control the dog, maintain fencing, or warn of danger—this can apply even if a bite did not occur or on roads like C-470 or Highlands Ranch Parkway where the attack happened.
How much time do I have to file a claim after a dog attack in Highlands Ranch?
The deadline depends on whether the dog owner is a private individual, a government entity, or a business. Private claims typically have a two-year deadline, but claims against Douglas County or a government agency require written notice within a shorter window. Because deadlines vary and early notice may be mandatory, contact McCormick & Murphy promptly to protect your rights.
What types of damages can I recover in a dog bite case?
You may recover medical expenses, surgical or reconstructive costs, lost wages, future medical care, scarring and disfigurement, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The total depends on the severity of injury, permanence of scarring, psychological impact, and any ongoing treatment needed. Documentation from UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital and ongoing care records strengthen these claims.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog bite cases?
McCormick & Murphy handles dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. The firm earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won at trial. You pay no attorney fee upfront. Costs for investigation, medical records, expert reports, and filing are separate from the fee and are discussed with you before incurring them.
Do I need a police report or animal control report to file a claim?
A police report or Douglas County animal control report strengthens your claim by creating an official record of the incident, injuries, and the dog's owner. However, a formal report is not always required to pursue compensation. If no report was filed, we can still build a case using medical records, photographs, witness statements, and veterinary records. Report the attack to Douglas County Sheriff's Office or local animal control as soon as possible to create a record.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Highlands Ranch dog-bite claims
Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Owner liability under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 when a bite causes serious bodily injury.
Child Dog-Bite Injuries
Bites to minors, who may bring the claim, and scarring that shows up as a child grows.
Landlord Liability
Apartment, rental, and HOA cases where the dog owner is not the only possible defendant.
Non-Bite Dog Attacks
Knockdowns, chases, and other attacks that are not a bite under the statute.
Off-Leash and Dog-Park Attacks
Public paths, parks, and attacks away from the owner's home.
Facial Scarring
Disfigurement, infection, nerve injury, and reconstructive care after a bite.
Homeowner's Insurance
Homeowner and renter coverage, breed exclusions, and delayed or denied claims.
Fatal Dog Attacks
Death from a dog attack, and how that claim connects to Colorado wrongful-death law.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss Your Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Case
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