Adams and Jefferson counties · Dog bites and attacks
Westminster Dog Bite Lawyers
Westminster dog bite lawyers for bites on U.S. Highway 36 and Federal Boulevard and across Westminster. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Dog Bite Claims in Westminster
McCormick & Murphy are Westminster dog bite lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We get the Westminster Police Department report, the CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital records, and file in the Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts.
Colorado law holds dog owners liable for injuries caused by their animals, even if the dog had no prior history of biting. When a dog attacks you or a family member—whether on your own property, at a public park, or along a street like Federal Boulevard or U.S. Highway 36—the owner's liability often turns on proof of ownership or control and the circumstances of the attack. We investigate whether negligence also applies: did the owner fail to restrain the dog, ignore warnings, or violate a local ordinance?
Dog bites can result in deep puncture wounds, infection, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and psychological injury. Medical care at CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital or other urgent-care facilities begins the record we use to prove your losses. We gather witness statements, photographs of injuries and the scene, animal-control records, and prior-incident reports to establish liability and the full scope of your claim.
Building Your Dog Bite Case
Evidence in a dog-bite case includes the owner's name and homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, the dog's vaccination and licensing records, any prior complaints or incidents involving the same dog, and detailed photographs of bite wounds taken immediately after the injury and during healing. We obtain animal-control reports filed with the Westminster Police Department and work with animal-control officers to document the dog's behavior and any relevant history.
Witness accounts are crucial. We interview anyone who saw the attack, heard the dog's behavior before the bite, or can testify about the owner's negligence. Medical records from emergency rooms, urgent care, or follow-up treatment establish the severity of injury and ongoing care. We also review liability insurance coverage available through the dog owner's homeowner or renter's policy, which often covers these claims.
Local investigations may involve Westminster Police Department, scenes in Arvada or Northglenn, parks, trails, and residential yards.
If a dog has bitten or attacked you in Westminster, Adams County, or Jefferson County, document these items as soon as possible:
- Photographs of all injuries, including puncture wounds, lacerations, bruising, and any visible infection or swelling. Take photos over several days as injuries evolve.
- Written account of the incident: date, time, exact location (street address, park name, or property type), breed or description of the dog, and what happened immediately before the attack.
- Name, address, and phone number of the dog owner and anyone who witnessed the attack.
- Contact information for the dog's veterinarian or caretaker if you can obtain it.
- All medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital or other providers, including emergency-room notes, wound assessments, antibiotic prescriptions, tetanus records, and any follow-up care.
- Animal-control report filed with Westminster Police Department or relevant jurisdiction (Adams or Jefferson county animal control).
- Dog's vaccination records and proof of rabies immunity if the owner or control agency will share it.
- Evidence of prior incidents: ask neighbors, check with animal control, and inquire whether the dog had attacked before.
- Lost wages and medical bills: receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and employer statements covering time away from work.
- Witness contact information, including anyone who saw the attack or helped you afterward.
- Insurance information for the property owner or homeowner, if the attack occurred on private property.
Medical Recovery and Scarring
Immediate treatment for dog bites focuses on infection prevention, wound cleaning, and assessment of nerve or tendon injury. Depending on the bite's location and depth, you may need stitches, antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis, or rabies prophylaxis. Reconstructive surgery or scar-revision procedures may follow, especially for bites to the face, hand, or other visible areas.
Long-term effects of dog bites include physical scarring, loss of sensation, restricted movement, and emotional trauma such as anxiety, fear of dogs, or post-traumatic stress. We document all medical treatment and expert opinions on permanent injury, cosmetic impact, and psychological harm to support your claim for full compensation.
Official Westminster hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Compensation in Dog Bite Cases
- Medical expenses: emergency care, hospitalization, antibiotics, rabies or tetanus treatment, and reconstructive or scar-revision surgery
- Pain and suffering: physical pain during healing, permanent scarring, cosmetic disfigurement, and reduced quality of life
- Emotional trauma: anxiety, fear of dogs, post-traumatic stress, and the cost of counseling or therapy
- Lost wages: time away from work during recovery and medical appointments
- Permanent injury: ongoing physical limitations, nerve damage, or loss of function
- Property damage: torn clothing or other personal property damaged in the attack
Cases are resolved through settlement or, if necessary, litigation in Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Westminster — 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.
Westminster Dog Bite Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Westminster dog bite lawyers after a bite?
Call Westminster dog bite lawyers when the bite needs medical care, fault is disputed, or an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
I was bitten by a dog near U.S. Highway 36 in Westminster. Who is responsible?
Colorado's dog-bite statute holds the owner liable for injuries caused by a dog bite, even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. If the attack occurred on someone else's property—such as at a home, business, or public area along Federal Boulevard or 120th Avenue—the owner or property manager may also be liable for negligence in controlling the dog or maintaining safe conditions. We examine ownership, control, location, and any prior incidents to identify all potentially responsible parties.
What is the time limit to file a dog-bite claim in Westminster or Adams County?
The deadline depends on whether the claim is against a private party, a business, or a public entity like the Westminster Police Department or a municipal facility. Private injury claims generally have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. However, claims involving a public entity often require early written notice within days or weeks. It is critical to contact us promptly after the attack so we can determine your specific deadline and ensure all required notices are filed.
I have scarring and emotional trauma from the bite. Can I recover damages for those?
Yes. Colorado law recognizes damages for medical treatment, scarring, disfigurement, lost income, and emotional distress or psychological injury following a dog attack. Ongoing therapy, reconstructive surgery, and documented anxiety or fear are all compensable. We work with medical records and expert testimony to establish the full extent of your injuries and calculate fair compensation.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for dog-bite cases?
We handle dog-bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we are paid an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You pay nothing upfront for legal representation. Costs advanced for the case—such as investigation, medical records, and expert reports—are separate from the attorney fee and are also typically paid from any recovery we obtain.
The dog owner says their insurance will not cover the attack. What options do I have?
Even if homeowner or business insurance denies coverage, you may still pursue a claim directly against the dog owner for damages. We investigate all available insurance and examine whether an appeal of the denial is possible. If the owner has limited assets, we also explore whether other property owners or supervisory entities share liability. Contact us for a case-specific review.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Westminster dog-bite claims
Colorado dog-bite statute
Owner liability under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124 when a bite causes serious bodily injury.
Child dog-bite injuries
Bites to minors, who may bring the claim, and scarring that shows up as a child grows.
Landlord liability
Apartment, rental, and HOA cases where the dog owner is not the only possible defendant.
Non-bite dog attacks
Knockdowns, chases, and other attacks that are not a bite under the statute.
Off-leash and dog-park attacks
Public paths, parks, and attacks away from the owner's home.
Facial scarring
Disfigurement, infection, nerve injury, and reconstructive care after a bite.
Homeowner's insurance
Homeowner and renter coverage, breed exclusions, and delayed or denied claims.
Fatal dog attacks
Death from a dog attack, and how that claim connects to Colorado wrongful-death law.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss your Westminster claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.