Douglas County · Fatal dog attacks
Highlands Ranch Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
Losing a family member to a dog attack in Highlands Ranch is devastating; free consultation, and no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Dog Attack Causes a Death
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a fatal attack occurs and the person killed was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property. That statute addresses the dog owner's liability for the attack itself. It does not, by itself, determine who in the family has the right to bring a claim after a death.
Who may file a wrongful-death claim in Colorado, and what losses that claim can address, is controlled by wrongful-death law separate from the dog-bite statute. We work through both bodies of law together in a fatal attack case, because the dog-bite statute helps establish the owner's responsibility while wrongful-death law governs the family's right to recover.
For details on who may bring a wrongful-death claim and what it covers, see our wrongful-death page. Here, our focus is on how a fatal dog attack claim gets built and investigated in Highlands Ranch.
Investigating a Fatal Attack
A fatal dog attack case often involves records from more than one source. There may be reports connected to how animal-control or law enforcement personnel responded at the scene, along with information about the dog's history and the location where the attack happened. We gather what's available and work to piece together a clear account of what occurred.
If the person was taken to UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital or another facility before passing, medical records from that care can also matter to the claim. We ask families to help us understand the sequence of events and preserve what documentation they can, while we pursue the rest independently.
- Any photos or video from the scene of the attack
- Contact information for witnesses who saw what happened
- Records from any medical care the person received
- Information about the dog and its owner, including prior incidents if known
- Any correspondence with animal-control or law enforcement personnel
Fatal Dog Attack Claims Near Highlands Ranch
Fatal dog attacks can happen in the yards, trails, and neighborhoods that make up Highlands Ranch, including areas near C-470, University Boulevard, and Highlands Ranch Parkway, as well as nearby Littleton and Lone Tree. Wherever it happened, the facts of the attack and the dog's history matter to building the claim.
A wrongful-death case tied to a dog attack that occurred in Highlands Ranch may be handled through the Douglas County Justice Center. We're based in Denver and represent families throughout the Highlands Ranch area.
What a Wrongful-Death Claim May Address
- Losses connected to the death itself
- Funeral and burial-related costs
- Loss of the financial support the person provided
- Loss of companionship and other non-economic losses recognized under wrongful-death law
- Other losses specific to the family's circumstances
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.
Highlands Ranch Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog-bite statute cover fatal attacks?
C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 can apply when a bite causes death, provided the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property. That statute helps establish the owner's liability for the attack, but it works alongside separate wrongful-death law to determine who can bring a claim.
Who can file a claim after a fatal dog attack in Colorado?
That question is governed by Colorado wrongful-death law, not the dog-bite statute alone. We discuss the specifics of who may file with each family during a consultation, and our wrongful-death page has more general information on this topic.
What records matter in a fatal dog attack investigation?
Records connected to animal-control or law enforcement response, witness accounts, and any medical records from care the person received can all matter. We work to gather these records and build a clear picture of what happened.
Where would a fatal dog attack claim from Highlands Ranch be handled?
A case arising from an attack in Highlands Ranch may be handled through the Douglas County Justice Center. We're based in Denver and represent families across the Highlands Ranch area.
What does it cost to talk to a lawyer about a fatal dog attack?
We offer a free consultation to discuss what happened and how we can help. There's no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Highlands Ranch dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.