Jefferson County · Colorado dog-bite statute
Lakewood Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Lakewood dog bite? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Owner Liability Under Colorado's Dog Bite Statute
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death, provided the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. Lawfully in this context means you had a right to be where you were when the dog attacked, whether that was a sidewalk along Wadsworth Boulevard or a friend's yard near Wheat Ridge.
One of the most important features of this statute is that it does not require proof the owner knew the dog had bitten anyone before. Unlike older negligence-only approaches, you do not have to show a prior incident or a warning sign. If the bite caused serious bodily injury and you were lawfully present, the statute can apply.
The statute's liability covers economic damages tied to the bite. If the injury also involves scarring, pain, or other noneconomic harm, recovering those losses typically requires bringing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate both angles from the start so nothing gets left on the table.
Proving Your Claim and Understanding the Defenses
Because the statute turns on where you were and how badly you were hurt, documentation matters. We look at where the bite happened, whether you had a legal right to be there, and whether the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury, meaning a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. Photos, witness accounts, and medical records from providers like CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital help establish both where you were and how serious the injury is.
Owners may raise defenses built into the statute, including provocation or trespass, and the law also carves out certain working dogs and certain people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We do not assume exceptions beyond what the statute actually lists, and we push back when an owner or insurer tries to stretch a defense further than the law allows. If your injury falls short of the statute's serious bodily injury threshold, we still look at whether a standard negligence claim fits the facts.
- Photos of the injury and the location where the bite occurred
- Contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- Medical records documenting the extent of the injury
- Notes on whether you were on public property or lawfully on private property
- Any prior knowledge you have about the dog or its owner
Handling Dog Bite Claims in Lakewood
We work with Lakewood clients bitten along West Colfax Avenue, near Kipling Street, and in neighborhoods stretching toward Golden and Wheat Ridge. Jefferson County covers a mix of dense residential blocks and open parkland, and dog bite circumstances vary accordingly, from an off-leash encounter on a trail to an attack at a private residence.
Claims arising in Lakewood are typically handled through the Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We are based in Denver and regularly bring claims through that court system, so we understand the local process and what it takes to move a Jefferson County dog bite case forward.
Damages We Pursue
- Medical expenses related to treating the bite
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Scarring and disfigurement, pursued through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering, pursued through a negligence claim
- Future medical costs tied to ongoing treatment
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lakewood — 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.
Lakewood Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before mine?
No. Under Colorado's dog bite statute, you do not need to show the owner knew about a prior bite. If the bite caused serious bodily injury and you were lawfully present, the statute can apply without that history.
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 a body part or organ. A bite that does not meet this threshold may still support a claim, just through a negligence theory instead.
Can I recover for pain and suffering under this statute?
The statute itself covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses generally require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when I was bitten?
You can still have a claim if you were lawfully on that private property. The key question is whether you had a legal right to be there at the time of the bite.
Are there situations where the owner isn't liable?
Yes. The statute includes defenses such as provocation and trespass, along with exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite happens during that work. We review the facts closely to see whether any of these narrow exceptions actually apply.
Discuss a Lakewood dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.