El Paso County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Manitou Springs Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Manitou Springs dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Manitou Springs. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Manitou Springs Dog Bite Statute Lawyers For Public And Private Property Claims
McCormick & Murphy are Manitou Springs dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in El Paso County Combined Courts.
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death and the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether you were bitten walking along Manitou Avenue, visiting a shop near Ruxton Avenue, or on private property as an invited guest.
A key feature of the statute is that you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. This is different from a general negligence claim, where prior knowledge of a dog's dangerous tendencies often matters. If the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury, the owner can be liable without that prior-knowledge showing.
The statute's liability covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses may require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We look at the facts of the bite, where it happened, and the extent of the injury to determine which claims apply and how they work together.
Evidence That Proves Serious Bodily Injury Under The Statute
Serious bodily injury under the statute means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ function. Medical records from treatment, including care received at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, help establish the nature and severity of the injury. Photographs of wounds, scarring, and the treatment timeline are important evidence for this element.
We also need to establish where the bite happened and whether you were lawfully present at that location, since the statute requires lawful presence in a public place or on the owner's property. Witness statements, animal control reports, and information about the dog and its owner all factor into building the claim. If defenses like provocation or trespass are raised, the same evidence often helps address those arguments.
- Photos of the wound, scarring, and the location of the bite
- Medical records and any treatment notes from providers you saw
- Contact information for witnesses who saw the incident
- Any animal control or incident report filed
- Names and address of the dog owner and the property involved
Where Do Serious Dog Bites Happen Along Manitou Avenue And Ruxton Avenue?
Manitou Springs sits just off U.S. Highway 24, with a compact, walkable core along Manitou Avenue and the Ruxton Avenue corridor near the incline area. These streets see heavy foot traffic from residents and visitors, and dog-bite incidents involving pedestrians on sidewalks or on private property near local businesses are the kinds of cases we see arise here. Claims involving Manitou Springs residents or incidents on nearby properties often connect to Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City as well, given how closely the communities sit together.
Dog bite claims arising in Manitou Springs are generally handled through El Paso County Combined Courts. Our office is located at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, convenient for clients from Manitou Springs and the surrounding area to meet with us in person or discuss their case by phone.
Investigating Manitou Springs Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
McCormick & Murphy are Manitou Springs dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in El Paso County Combined Courts and handle claims under Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124.
- No Prior-Bite Proof Required: Under Colorado's dog-bite statute, you do not need to show the owner knew about a prior bite. If the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury and you were lawfully present where the bite occurred, the owner can be liable without that prior-knowledge showing.
- Convenient Colorado Springs Office: We coordinate local investigation, medical records, and court filing from our nearest office, with home or hospital meetings when travel is difficult.
- Office Access: Clients meet with our team at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 ↗ — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Medical Expenses And Other Losses In A Manitou Springs Dog Bite Claim
- Medical bills and related treatment costs
- Lost income from time away from work
- Scarring and disfigurement, pursued through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering, pursued through a negligence claim
- Future medical care related to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Manitou Springs — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Answers About Colorado's Dog Bite Statute And Your Claim
Do I need Manitou Springs dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Manitou Springs dog bite statute lawyers when you were hurt, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The nearest office is at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Under Colorado's dog-bite statute, you do not need to show the owner knew about a prior bite. You still need to show the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury and that you were lawfully present where the bite occurred.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ function. A bite that does not meet this standard may still support a claim, but it would typically be pursued as a negligence case instead.
Can I recover for scarring or pain and suffering?
The dog-bite statute itself covers economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses generally require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when it happened?
The statute can apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property, such as an invited guest. If you were trespassing, that can be a defense the owner raises against the claim.
Are there exceptions to owner liability under the statute?
Yes. The statute includes defenses like provocation and trespass, along with specific exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. We review the facts of your incident to see which, if any, of these apply.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Colorado Springs — Downtown
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