Adams and Weld counties · Child dog-bite injuries
Thornton Child Dog Bite Lawyers
A Thornton child bitten by a dog deserves a full look at the claim. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats Child Dog Bite Claims
Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, a child who was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the dog owner's property can have a claim if the bite caused serious bodily injury. We look closely at where the child was and what the child was doing at the time, since that shapes whether the statute applies or whether we build the case as a negligence claim instead.
We do not assume a child cannot have contributed to what happened, and we do not apply a strict age cutoff to decide whether a claim works. Every case turns on the specific facts: where the bite happened, what the dog was doing beforehand, and how the owner kept or restrained the animal.
Because a minor generally cannot bring a legal claim on their own, a parent or guardian typically needs to step in to bring or manage the case on the child's behalf. We help families in Thornton understand what that involvement looks like as the claim moves forward.
Documenting a Child's Injuries as They Grow
Facial and body scarring on a child is different from an adult injury because a child's skin and features change with growth. What looks manageable shortly after the bite may need additional treatment stages later, and that ongoing care needs to be documented as it happens, not assumed at the outset.
Photographs taken at different points in a child's recovery, notes from any follow-up care, and a record of how the scarring has affected the child's activities or confidence all matter. Noneconomic losses like scarring are not automatically covered under the statute, so we often need to build a negligence claim alongside the statutory one to address them fully.
- Photos of the wound and any scarring, taken over time
- Names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the bite
- Records from any medical follow-up or treatment stages
- The location and circumstances of where the bite occurred
- Any communication with the dog's owner or their insurer
Handling Child Bite Claims Near Thornton
Thornton sits across Adams and Weld counties, and where the bite happened determines whether a claim is handled through the Adams County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts. We help families sort out which court applies based on the address where the incident occurred.
Families in neighborhoods along 104th Avenue, Washington Street, near I-25 and E-470, or in the Northglenn area sometimes bring children to HCA HealthONE North Suburban Medical Center after a bite. We work with those medical records as part of building the claim, whatever hospital or clinic a family used.
What a Child's Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment costs, including any staged or follow-up care
- Scarring and disfigurement addressed through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering the child experienced
- Any impact on the child's activities during recovery
- Costs related to a parent's time caring for the child's injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Thornton — 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.
Thornton Child dog-bite injuries FAQ
Can my child's dog bite claim go forward if my child was playing near the dog?
It depends on what the child was doing and whether the child was lawfully present where the bite happened. We review the specific circumstances to see whether the statute applies or whether a negligence claim fits better.
Do I have to bring the claim myself instead of my child?
A parent or guardian typically needs to be involved in bringing or managing a claim on behalf of a minor. We can walk you through what that involvement looks like for your situation.
Will my child's scarring be covered automatically?
Not automatically. The dog-bite statute covers serious bodily injury, but noneconomic losses like scarring often require a negligence claim alongside it.
What if the scarring needs more treatment as my child gets older?
We document a child's recovery over time, including any additional treatment stages, since scarring on a growing child can change and require further care.
Which court would handle my child's claim if we live in Thornton?
That depends on where the bite occurred, since Thornton spans both Adams and Weld counties. Claims may go through the Adams County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts depending on the location.
Discuss a Thornton dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.