Boulder and Weld counties · Child dog-bite injuries
Longmont Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A Longmont child dog bite needs careful handling of the injury and the claim, free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
How Colorado Law Treats Bites to Children
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a child was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property and the bite caused serious bodily injury. We look closely at where the child was and what the child was doing when the dog bit, because that shapes whether the statute applies or whether we need to build a negligence claim instead.
We do not assume a child of any particular age is automatically covered or automatically excluded, and we do not assume a child cannot have contributed to what happened. Every case turns on the specific facts: where the bite happened, who owned or kept the dog, and what led up to it. We walk parents through how those facts line up against the statute and against ordinary negligence principles.
Because a minor is involved, a parent or guardian typically needs to bring or manage the claim on the child's behalf. We do not guess at the exact court procedure required for that step here, but we help families understand what's ahead and manage the claim alongside them from the first call through resolution.
Documenting a Child's Injury and Recovery
Facial and body scarring on a child is different from an adult injury because a child is still growing. What looks like a minor mark early on can need more than one stage of treatment as the child ages, and that possibility needs to be documented, not guessed at later. We work to get medical records, photographs, and treating-provider notes gathered early so the full picture of the injury is preserved.
It's also important to understand that noneconomic losses like scarring are not automatic just because the statute applies. In many cases, recovering for scarring or disfigurement requires a negligence claim built on the specific facts of how the dog came to bite the child. We evaluate early which path, or combination of paths, fits the evidence we have.
- Photos of the bite and any scarring, taken at the time and again as healing continues
- Names and contact information of any adults who saw what happened
- Records from every medical visit related to the bite
- Information on the dog and its owner or keeper, including address
- Any animal control or law enforcement report tied to the incident
Longmont and the Surrounding Area
We work with Longmont families whose children were bitten near Hover Street, Ken Pratt Boulevard, or along Colorado Highway 119, as well as families in Boulder and Erie. Depending on where the bite happened and who is involved, a claim may be handled through the Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts, and we sort out which venue fits a given case.
Children treated after a bite in this area are often seen at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital. We help parents gather those medical records and keep track of follow-up care and any additional treatment stages the child may need as they grow, so nothing gets lost between now and when the claim is resolved.
What a Child's Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment costs, including follow-up or staged care
- Scarring or disfigurement, where a negligence claim supports it
- Pain and suffering tied to the bite and recovery
- Mental or emotional impact on the child
- Costs parents incur getting the child to treatment
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Longmont — 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.
Longmont Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim go forward even if my child was playing with the dog?
It depends on the facts. We look at what the child was doing, where the bite happened, and whether the child was lawfully present, then assess whether the statute or a negligence claim fits best.
Do I need to file the claim myself instead of my child?
A parent or guardian generally needs to bring or manage a claim on behalf of a minor. We don't guess at the exact procedure here without reviewing your situation, but we guide families through each step.
Will my child's scar be covered under Colorado's dog-bite statute?
Not automatically. Noneconomic losses like scarring often require a negligence claim in addition to, or instead of, the statutory claim, depending on the facts.
What if my child's scar changes as they get older?
That's common with children, and it's part of why we document the injury early and keep track of ongoing treatment. Scarring that requires more than one stage of care should be reflected in the medical records supporting the claim.
Which hospital records will matter for my child's case in Longmont?
If your child was treated at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or another local provider, those records help establish the injury and treatment timeline. We help gather and organize this documentation as part of building the claim.
Discuss a Longmont dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.