Larimer County · Landlord liability
Loveland Landlord Dog Bite Lawyers
Loveland dog bite in an apartment or rental? Free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Landlord Can Be a Second Defendant
C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 targets the dog's owner, not the person who rents them the property. We do not tell clients a Loveland landlord is automatically on the hook under that statute just because the attack happened on their land.
That said, a landlord, property manager, or HOA can face a separate negligence claim when the facts fit. If they knew about a dangerous dog on the property, complaints from other tenants, prior incidents, or direct warnings, and did nothing, that knowledge can support a claim against them apart from the dog owner. The same is true when the attack happened in a common area the landlord controlled, like a shared yard, hallway, or parking area near Eisenhower Boulevard or Taft Avenue apartment complexes.
These are fact-heavy cases. We look at lease terms, prior complaint records, and who had control over where the bite occurred before we decide whether a landlord claim makes sense alongside the claim against the dog's owner.
What We Look For in a Rental or HOA Case
We request the lease, any pet or breed addendum, and records of prior complaints about the dog. A breed restriction in the lease does not by itself prove the landlord is liable, but it can show the landlord had reason to know a dog on the property posed a risk. We also look at maintenance and management records for the building or complex.
We identify insurance early. The dog owner's homeowner or renter policy is usually the first place we look for coverage. A landlord or HOA property policy may be a second source, but not every landlord policy covers a dog bite claim, so we review the actual policy language rather than assume coverage exists.
- Lease or rental agreement, including any pet or breed clause
- Any prior written complaints about the dog to the landlord or HOA
- Photos of the common area where the bite happened
- Names of neighbors who may have reported the dog before
- Medical records from treatment, including care at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies
Handling Landlord Claims Near Loveland
We handle these claims for people bitten in apartment complexes and rental homes throughout Loveland, along corridors like Eisenhower Boulevard and Taft Avenue, and in nearby Berthoud and Fort Collins rentals. Larimer County properties near U.S. Highway 34 often involve multi-unit buildings or shared yards, which is exactly the setting where a landlord negligence claim can come into play.
If a case moves into litigation, it's filed and heard through the Larimer County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we work Loveland landlord liability cases by gathering lease and complaint records directly from property managers and HOAs in the area.
What These Claims Can Cover
- Medical treatment and follow-up care
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering
- 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 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 Landlord liability FAQ
Can I sue my landlord if my neighbor's dog bit me in Loveland?
It depends on what the landlord knew and controlled. If they knew about a dangerous dog and failed to act, or the bite happened in a common area they managed, a separate negligence claim against them may be possible alongside the claim against the dog's owner.
Does a no-pet or breed restriction clause help my case?
It can help show the landlord had notice that a dog on the property might pose a risk, but the clause alone does not prove liability. We still need facts showing the landlord knew about this specific dog and failed to respond.
Is the landlord automatically responsible under Colorado's dog bite law?
No. C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 is written to hold the dog's owner responsible, not the landlord. A landlord claim has to be built separately, on ordinary negligence principles.
Will the landlord's insurance cover my injury?
Not automatically. We first look at the dog owner's homeowner or renter policy, then check whether the landlord or HOA has a property policy that might apply. Coverage depends on the actual policy language, which we review case by case.
What if the bite happened in a shared yard or parking area?
Common areas controlled by the landlord or HOA are exactly where a landlord negligence claim is most likely to apply. We look at who maintained that space and whether they had any warning about the dog before the attack.
Discuss a Loveland dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.