Douglas County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Highlands Ranch dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Highlands Ranch. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute And Highlands Ranch Claims
McCormick & Murphy are Highlands Ranch dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Douglas 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, so long as the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. If you were bitten while walking along Highlands Ranch Parkway, near University Boulevard, or visiting someone's home near C-470, this statute may apply.
One of the more important features of this law is that you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten before. Unlike older negligence-based rules that hinged on prior knowledge of a dangerous animal, this statute focuses on the injury itself and where it happened.
The statute does have limits. It provides for economic damages tied to the bite, and if you're dealing with scarring, pain, or other noneconomic losses, a separate negligence claim may be needed to pursue those. We look at both angles when we evaluate a Highlands Ranch case.
Proving Serious Bodily Injury Under The Statute
Serious bodily injury under the statute means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ function. If your injury doesn't rise to that level, you may still have a negligence claim against the dog owner. Either way, medical documentation matters, and records from providers like UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital can help establish the extent of the injury.
We also look closely at where the bite happened, since lawful presence in a public place or lawful presence on the owner's property is central to this claim. Defenses like provocation or trespass can come up, along with statutory exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs at the time of the bite. We gather witness accounts, photos, and animal control records to address these issues early.
- Get medical care and keep all records describing the injury
- Photograph wounds, torn clothing, and the location of the bite
- Identify the dog owner and where the incident occurred
- Get contact information for any witnesses nearby
- Report the bite to local animal control
Highlands Ranch Parkway, University Boulevard, And C-470 Area Claims
Highlands Ranch sits in Douglas County, and dog bite claims here often move through the Douglas County Justice Center. We're familiar with how these cases are handled locally, from neighborhoods along Highlands Ranch Parkway and University Boulevard to nearby areas like Littleton and Lone Tree.
Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly work with Highlands Ranch clients by phone, video, or in person. Wherever the bite happened, whether on a public trail near C-470 or on private property, we build the case around Colorado's statute and the specific facts of what occurred.
Investigating Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
Highlands Ranch dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Highlands Ranch. We file in Douglas County Justice Center and work with clients by phone, video, or in person from our Denver office.
- 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, so long as the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. You do not have to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten before.
- Serious Bodily Injury Requirement: Serious bodily injury means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ function. If your injury doesn't meet that standard, a negligence claim may still be available for scarring, pain, and other losses.
Medical Expenses, Lost Income, And Future Care Costs
- Medical expenses related to treating the bite
- Lost income if the injury kept you from work
- Future medical costs for ongoing treatment
- Pain, scarring, and other noneconomic losses through a negligence claim
- Other economic losses tied directly to the injury
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.
Questions We Hear From Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Clients
Do I need Highlands Ranch dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Highlands Ranch 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?
No. Colorado's dog-bite statute does not require proof that the owner knew about a prior bite. Liability under the statute focuses on the injury and whether you were lawfully present where the bite occurred.
What counts as serious bodily injury under this law?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ function. If your injury doesn't meet that standard, a negligence claim may still be available.
Can I recover for scarring or pain under the statute?
The statute itself addresses economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses typically require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside or instead of the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when it happened?
You can still have a claim as long as you were lawfully on that property. Trespassing, however, can be a defense the owner may raise.
Are there exceptions for working dogs?
Yes. The statute includes exclusions for certain working dogs and for people whose job involves handling dogs at the time of the bite. We review the facts carefully to see whether any exception applies to your situation.
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Discuss Your Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Statute Case
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