Boulder County · Dog bites and attacks
Louisville Dog Bite Lawyers
Louisville dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 36 and McCaslin Boulevard and across Louisville. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado Dog-Bite Claims
McCormick & Murphy are Louisville dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Louisville Police Department report, the AdventHealth Avista records, and file in the Boulder County Justice Center.
Colorado's dog-bite statute imposes liability on the owner or keeper of a dog that injures a person, even without proof of prior aggression. The statute applies whether the bite occurs on public property or private land. We examine the facts of your attack—where it happened, how the dog escaped control, and whether the owner knew of dangerous behavior—to establish a strong claim under statute or negligence.
Beyond the statute, we investigate whether the owner or handler acted negligently: failing to restrain the dog, ignoring warnings, or allowing access to a dangerous animal. Negligence claims often stand alone or reinforce statutory liability. We gather police reports from the Louisville Police Department, animal-control findings, witness statements, and any prior complaints to show a pattern of negligence or failure to warn.
Evidence We Gather
We obtain animal-control reports filed after your attack, vaccination records, proof of ownership or control, and police documentation. Photographs of your injuries are crucial—they establish the severity of the bite and help prove damages later. We also request records of any prior incidents involving the same dog in Boulder County or nearby jurisdictions like Superior, Lafayette, or Erie.
Medical records from AdventHealth Avista or other facilities you visited show treatment, infection risk, nerve damage, and scarring. Witness names and statements corroborate your account. We review homeowner's or renter's insurance policies and any commercial liability coverage, because many dog-bite claims are resolved through insurance settlements without trial at the Boulder County Justice Center.
Local investigations may involve Louisville Police Department, scenes in Lafayette or Boulder, parks, trails, and residential yards.
A dog bite claim in Boulder County requires proof of the dog's ownership or control, the circumstances of the attack, and your resulting injuries and damages. Here is what to collect:
- Photographs of all bite wounds, puncture marks, and any visible scarring or swelling, taken immediately and again over time as wounds heal
- Medical records from AdventHealth Avista or other treatment providers, including emergency-room reports, wound documentation, infection notes, and any prescriptions or follow-up care
- The dog owner's name, address, phone number, insurance information, and confirmation of the dog's ownership or control
- Animal-control reports filed with Louisville Police Department or Boulder County animal control, including the officer's observations and the dog's vaccination and bite-history records
- Photographs of the location where the attack occurred (your home, a park, the sidewalk, etc.) and the dog's enclosure or lack thereof
- Witness names, contact information, and written statements describing what they saw before, during, and after the attack
- Evidence of any prior incidents involving the same dog (prior bites, aggressive behavior, complaints, or warnings)
- Proof of lost income or other financial losses caused by the injury or recovery period
- Any communications with the dog owner, their insurance company, or animal control
- Documentation of ongoing medical treatment, mental-health counseling related to trauma or fear, and any permanent scarring or functional limitations
Injury and Ongoing Care
Dog bites often cause puncture wounds that introduce bacteria deep into tissue, creating infection risk and requiring antibiotics or surgical cleaning. Bites near the face, hands, or joints may damage nerves, tendons, or blood vessels, leading to numbness, weakness, or reduced function. Scarring and cosmetic changes can persist for years, affecting appearance and self-confidence.
Many bite victims experience lasting psychological effects—fear of dogs, anxiety during walks near U.S. Highway 36 or McCaslin Boulevard where the attack occurred, or avoidance of outdoor activities. Follow-up care may include plastic surgery, physical therapy, or counseling. We document all medical treatment and expert opinions to quantify the full scope of injury and recovery needs.
Official Louisville hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages We Pursue
- Medical bills for emergency care, wound treatment, antibiotics, and surgical intervention at AdventHealth Avista or elsewhere
- Lost wages if you missed work during recovery or ongoing appointments
- Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life—especially for facial or hand bites
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the cost of counseling or psychiatric care
- Future medical needs such as plastic surgery, physical therapy, or scar revision
- Punitive damages if the owner's conduct was reckless or the dog had a known history of aggression
We pursue these damages in settlement negotiations or at trial in the Boulder County Justice Center when necessary.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Louisville — 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.
Louisville Dog Bite Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Louisville dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Louisville dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
How much time do I have to file a dog bite claim in Louisville?
Colorado's statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of the attack, but claims involving a public entity or government employee can have a much shorter deadline for filing a written notice. If the dog owner is a private party versus a city employee, the rules differ. Because timelines can be strict and vary based on who is responsible, contact us right away for a case-specific review of your deadline.
What does Colorado's dog-bite statute cover?
Under Colorado law, a dog owner is liable for damages if the dog bites and injures a person, even if the owner did not know the dog was dangerous. You do not have to prove the owner was negligent—strict liability applies to bites. However, you must still prove the bite caused your injury and damages. If the bite occurred under unusual circumstances or if the dog did not actually make contact, you may pursue a separate negligence claim based on the owner's failure to control the dog.
What types of damages can I recover in a dog bite case?
Damages typically include medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, antibiotics, wound care at AdventHealth Avista or elsewhere), scarring and cosmetic repair, lost wages during recovery, ongoing treatment or therapy for physical or emotional trauma, and in some cases pain and suffering. The specific damages depend on the severity of your injuries and the evidence supporting each loss. We review all costs and impacts as part of building your claim.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a dog bite case?
We handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we earn an attorney fee only if we settle your case or win it. You pay nothing upfront for legal representation. We do advance case costs separately—things like filing fees, investigation expenses, and expert fees—but those are distinct from the contingency fee and are discussed with you in detail.
What if the dog attack happened on U.S. Highway 36, McCaslin Boulevard, or another road in the Louisville area?
The location matters for determining who may be liable and which rules apply. If the incident occurred on a public road or in a public area, and a government employee or entity is involved, different notice and liability rules may apply. If it happened on private property or along a roadside, the dog owner's homeowner's insurance may cover the claim. We investigate the exact location and circumstances to identify all responsible parties and applicable law.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Louisville dog-bite claims
Colorado dog-bite statute
Owner liability under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 when a bite causes serious bodily injury.
Child dog-bite injuries
Bites to minors, who may bring the claim, and scarring that shows up as a child grows.
Landlord liability
Apartment, rental, and HOA cases where the dog owner is not the only possible defendant.
Non-bite dog attacks
Knockdowns, chases, and other attacks that are not a bite under the statute.
Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Public paths, parks, and attacks away from the owner's home.
Facial scarring
Disfigurement, infection, nerve injury, and reconstructive care after a bite.
Homeowner's insurance
Homeowner and renter coverage, breed exclusions, and delayed or denied claims.
Fatal dog attacks
Death from a dog attack, and how that claim connects to Colorado wrongful-death law.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss your Louisville claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.