Larimer County · Child dog-bite injuries
Loveland Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A Loveland child dog bite raises questions no parent wants to face. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How a Child's Dog Bite Claim Works
Colorado law lets a person injured by a dog bring a claim against the owner when the bite causes serious bodily injury and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's property. A child bitten in these circumstances can fall within that statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, the same as an adult. We look closely at where the bite happened and whether the child had a legal right to be there.
What a child was doing at the time of the bite matters. We do not assume a child cannot have contributed to what happened, and we do not assume the opposite either. Our job is to gather the facts of that specific day and see whether the statute applies, whether a negligence claim fits better, or whether both paths are worth pursuing.
Because the injured person is a minor, 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 involved. We walk families through what's needed step by step as the case moves forward.
Documenting a Child's Injuries Over Time
Scarring from a dog bite can change as a child grows. What looks manageable soon after the bite can need additional treatment stages later, especially with facial or body scars that stretch or shift with growth. We work to document the injury early and keep the record open to future medical needs rather than closing the file too soon.
Noneconomic losses like scarring, pain, and disfigurement are not automatically covered under the dog bite statute. In many cases pursuing those losses requires bringing a negligence claim alongside or instead of the statutory claim. We evaluate which claims apply and build the record needed to support them, including medical records, photos over time, and statements from those who witnessed the incident.
- Get the child medical attention and keep all records
- Photograph the injury right away and again as it heals
- Write down exactly where the bite happened and what the child was doing
- Get the dog owner's name, address, and any animal control report
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with us
Serving Loveland Families
We work with families across Loveland, from neighborhoods near Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue to areas along U.S. Highway 34, as well as nearby Fort Collins and Berthoud. Children treated for dog bite injuries in this area are often seen at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, and we help families gather those records as part of building the claim.
If a claim involving a minor needs to go through Larimer County Justice Center, we guide parents through what that involves. Our office is based in Denver, and we meet with Loveland families by phone, video, or in person as needed.
Losses We Help Families Pursue
- Medical treatment, including future care for scarring
- Costs tied to reconstructive or follow-up procedures as a child grows
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement under a negligence claim where it applies
- Related expenses parents incur because of the child's injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Loveland — 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.
Loveland Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim proceed even though they're a minor?
Yes. A parent or guardian typically brings or manages the claim on the child's behalf. We help families understand what that process looks like for their specific situation.
Does it matter what my child was doing when the dog bit them?
It can. We look at the circumstances of the bite, including where the child was and what they were doing, to determine whether the dog bite statute or a negligence claim is the better fit.
Will my child's case be covered under the dog bite statute automatically?
The statute can apply if the bite caused serious bodily injury and the child was lawfully present. But some losses, like scarring, aren't automatically included and may require a separate negligence claim.
What if the scarring gets worse or needs more treatment later?
We try to document injuries in a way that accounts for future treatment needs, since scarring can change as a child grows. This is part of why we don't rush to settle these cases too early.
Where would my child be treated after a dog bite in Loveland?
Families in the area often go to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies. We help gather those medical records as part of building the case.
Discuss a Loveland dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.