Jefferson County · Landlord Liability
Lakewood Landlord Dog Bite Lawyers
Lakewood landlord dog bite lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Lakewood. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Landlord Liability Is Negligence, Not Automatic Fault Under Colorado's Dog Bite Statute
McCormick & Murphy are Lakewood landlord dog bite lawyers for people hurt by a dog in a rental, apartment, or HOA property.
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, is written to hold the dog owner accountable. It does not make a landlord automatically liable simply because the attack happened on property they own or manage. If someone tells you a Lakewood landlord is strictly liable under that statute, that is not an accurate reading of the law.
A separate path exists, though. A landlord, property manager, or HOA can face a negligence claim if the facts show they knew about a dangerous dog on the property and did nothing about it, or if the attack happened in a common area they controlled, like a shared courtyard, parking lot, or hallway. These claims turn on what the landlord actually knew and what they did or failed to do with that knowledge.
We look closely at the lease, prior complaints, and any communication between tenants and management before deciding whether a landlord negligence claim exists alongside a claim against the dog's owner. Not every case has both angles, and we tell you honestly which claims the facts support.
What The Lease, Insurance Policy, And Complaint Records Show About Notice
In most cases, the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy is the first place we look for coverage. Whether a landlord's property insurance policy also applies is a separate question that depends on the specific policy and the specific facts. We do not assume every landlord policy covers a dog bite claim, and we check rather than guess.
Lease terms matter too. If a lease includes a breed restriction or a pet policy, that document can show the landlord was on notice about dogs on the property. A breed restriction alone does not prove liability, but combined with complaint records, prior incident reports, or management emails, it can help establish what the landlord knew and when.
- A copy of the lease, including any pet or breed policy
- Any prior complaints you or neighbors made about the dog
- Photos of where the attack happened, especially common areas
- Names of witnesses, including other tenants
- Medical records from treatment after the bite
Proof Along West Colfax, Wadsworth, And U.S. 6 Rental Corridors In Lakewood
Lakewood has a large rental and apartment population along corridors like West Colfax Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard, and Kipling Street, and we see landlord liability questions come up regularly in these dog bite cases. We also handle claims from nearby Golden and Wheat Ridge, where similar rental and HOA arrangements are common.
These cases are typically filed in Jefferson County Courts in Golden, and we handle the Jefferson County paperwork and procedure while you focus on recovering. If you were treated at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital after a bite, we help gather those records as part of building the negligence claim against the property owner or manager, separate from any claim against the dog's owner.
Investigating Lakewood Landlord Liability & Client Office Access
Lakewood landlord dog bite lawyers for people hurt by a dog in a rental, apartment, or HOA property.
- Jefferson County local bite evidence: These cases are typically filed in Jefferson County Courts in Golden, and we handle the Jefferson County paperwork and procedure while you focus on recovering.
- Local Claim Coordination: We coordinate local investigation, medical records, and court filing from our nearest office, with home or hospital meetings when travel is difficult.
Scarring, Medical Costs, And Lost Wages From A Landlord Negligence Claim
- Medical expenses from the attack and follow-up care
- Lost wages if the injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering from the attack and recovery
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Future medical needs tied to the injury
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.
What Lakewood Clients Ask After A Dog Bite On Rental Or HOA Property
Do I need Lakewood landlord dog bite lawyers after an injury?
Call Lakewood landlord dog bite 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.
Can I sue my landlord if a neighbor's dog bit me in Lakewood?
It depends on what the landlord knew and where the attack happened. If the landlord had notice of a dangerous dog and failed to act, or the attack occurred in a common area they controlled, a negligence claim may exist alongside a claim against the dog's owner.
Does the Colorado dog bite statute apply to landlords?
No. C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 is aimed at the dog's owner, not the property owner or manager. A landlord claim has to be built as a separate negligence case based on notice and control.
Does a landlord's insurance always cover a dog bite?
Not automatically. The dog owner's homeowner or renter policy is usually the first source of coverage, and whether a landlord's property policy also applies depends on the specific policy and facts.
Does a breed restriction in my lease help my case?
It can help show the landlord was aware of dog-related risks on the property, but a breed restriction by itself does not prove liability. It works best alongside other evidence like complaint records.
Where would a landlord liability claim be filed for a Lakewood attack?
These claims typically go through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We handle that process and coordinate any related claim against the dog's owner at the same time.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss Your Lakewood Landlord Dog Bite Case
Speak directly with an experienced injury attorney. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.