Boulder County · Fatal dog attacks
Lafayette Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
A fatal dog attack in Lafayette is devastating; free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats a Fatal Dog Attack
Losing a family member to a dog attack is a tragedy that also raises hard legal questions. Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death and the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property at the time. That statute establishes when a dog owner can be held responsible for a bite, and it can factor into a fatal-attack case just as it does in a non-fatal one.
But the dog-bite statute alone does not decide who in the family may bring a claim after a death. That question is controlled by Colorado wrongful-death law, which sets out who may file and on what timeline within that framework. We do not guess at those rules here because they depend on the specific family situation and how the law applies to it.
If your family has lost someone to a dog attack in Lafayette, we look at both bodies of law together: the dog-bite statute to establish the owner's responsibility for the attack, and wrongful-death law to determine who can pursue a claim and what that claim can address. For details on who may file and what losses a wrongful-death claim covers, see our wrongful-death page.
Records and Documentation After a Fatal Attack
A fatal dog attack typically generates records beyond the usual bite report. Animal-control and police records often document what happened, where the dog was kept, and whether there was any history with that animal. These records can matter a great deal in establishing what occurred and who was responsible for the dog at the time.
We also look at medical records connected to the incident, any witness accounts from the scene, and information about the dog's ownership and history. Because a fatal attack investigation may involve more than one agency or record-keeper, we work to identify and gather the relevant documentation as early as possible, before records are lost or witnesses' memories fade.
- Keep any records or reports you receive about the incident
- Write down what you know about the dog and its owner
- Note contact information for any witnesses
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with a lawyer
- Reach out for a free consultation to understand your options
Serving Lafayette Families
Lafayette sits along Baseline Road and South Boulder Road, with U.S. Highway 287 running through the area and neighboring communities in Louisville and Boulder nearby. A fatal dog attack in this area may involve records tied to Boulder County, and any resulting court proceedings would typically be handled at the Boulder County Justice Center. Emergency treatment following an attack in this area may involve Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital.
Our office is based in Denver, and we work with families throughout the Lafayette area during one of the hardest times they will face. We handle the legal work so a grieving family does not have to navigate the dog-bite statute and wrongful-death law alone.
What a Wrongful-Death Claim May Address
- Losses connected to the death, as defined under wrongful-death law
- Medical expenses incurred before death, where applicable
- Funeral and related expenses
- Loss of companionship and support, as 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 Lafayette — 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.
Lafayette Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog-bite statute cover a fatal attack?
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 owner's property. It helps establish the owner's responsibility for the attack itself.
Who can file a claim after a fatal dog attack in Colorado?
That is governed by Colorado wrongful-death law rather than the dog-bite statute alone. We review the family's specific situation and point you to our wrongful-death page for more on who may file.
What records matter most in a fatal dog attack case?
Animal-control and police records documenting the incident and the dog's history are often central. Medical records and witness accounts also play an important role.
Where would a Lafayette case be handled?
Cases arising in Lafayette often involve Boulder County records, and related court proceedings would typically take place at the Boulder County Justice Center.
What does the consultation involve?
We listen to what happened, review available records, and explain how the dog-bite statute and wrongful-death law may apply. The consultation is free, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Lafayette dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.