Pueblo County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Pueblo West Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Pueblo West dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Pueblo West. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog Bite Statute And Your Pueblo West Claim
McCormick & Murphy are Pueblo West dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Pueblo County Combined Courts.
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can make a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death to someone who was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether the bite happened along U.S. Highway 50, on a residential street off McCulloch Boulevard or Joe Martinez Boulevard, or anywhere else in Pueblo West where the victim had a legal right to be.
One of the most useful features of this statute is that it does not require proof the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. Colorado follows a one-bite rule for negligence claims, but the dog bite statute removes that requirement for qualifying injuries, which can make these claims more straightforward to pursue than a standard negligence case.
The statute covers economic damages tied to the injury. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses typically require a separate negligence claim built alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate both angles from the start so nothing gets left on the table.
Proving Your Injury Meets The Statute's Standard
We look closely at where the bite happened and whether the injured person had a legal right to be there, whether on a public sidewalk near Pueblo Boulevard or on private property in a Pueblo West neighborhood. We also examine whether provocation or trespass might come into play, since those are recognized defenses under the statute, along with the specific exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs during the incident.
Medical records matter for establishing whether the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury, meaning a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. Treatment at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo often documents wound depth, treatment, and follow-up care that speaks directly to this question. If the injury falls short of that threshold, a negligence claim may still be available, and we build the file to support whichever path fits the facts.
- Photos of the injury and the location where the bite happened
- Contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses
- Medical records and bills from treatment received
- Notes on whether you were on public property or lawfully on private property
- Any animal control or law enforcement report related to the incident
Serving U.S. Highway 50, McCulloch Boulevard, And Joe Martinez Boulevard
Dog bite incidents in Pueblo West can happen anywhere in the community, from busy corridors like U.S. Highway 50 to quieter residential areas near McCulloch Boulevard and Joe Martinez Boulevard. We work with clients across these areas, gathering the facts needed to show where the bite occurred and whether the injured person had a legal right to be there under the statute.
When a claim proceeds through the court system, cases from Pueblo West are typically handled in Pueblo County Combined Courts. Our office is located at 301 N. Main Street in Pueblo, giving us easy access to the courthouse and to medical providers in the area, including UCHealth Parkview Medical Center, as we build your case.
Investigating Pueblo West Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
- Pueblo County Combined Courts Filing: Cases from Pueblo West are typically handled in Pueblo County Combined Courts.
- Serving All Pueblo West Areas: We work with clients across Pueblo West, from U.S. Highway 50 to residential areas near McCulloch Boulevard and Joe Martinez Boulevard, gathering facts to show where the bite occurred and whether you had a legal right to be there under the statute.
- Office Access: Clients meet with our team at 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003 ↗ — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Medical Costs, Lost Income, And Future Care After A Bite
- Medical treatment costs related to the bite injury
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Future medical care tied to the injury
- Pain and scarring through a related negligence claim
- Other economic losses tied directly to the injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Pueblo West — and read client testimonials.
A pickup hit me from behind on Hwy 50 east of Pueblo. The insurer offered $2,600. McCormick & Murphy helped with treatment, filed suit, and the case settled at mediation for $165,000.
C. O., Pueblo · Highway 50 crash
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Questions We Hear From Pueblo West Dog Bite Victims
Do I need Pueblo West dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Pueblo West 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 301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003.
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 the dog had a history of biting. This is a key difference from a standard negligence claim.
What if the bite happened on the dog owner's property?
The statute can still apply if you were lawfully on the owner's private property at the time. We look at the circumstances of your visit to determine whether this requirement is met.
What counts as serious bodily injury under this statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ. If your injury does not meet that standard, a negligence claim may still be an option.
Can the dog owner argue I provoked the dog?
Provocation and trespass are defenses recognized under the statute. We review the facts of what happened before the bite to address these defenses if they come up.
What can I recover under the dog bite statute?
The statute covers economic damages related to the injury. For pain, scarring, and other noneconomic losses, we typically pursue those through a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss Your Pueblo West Dog Bite Statute Case
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