Adams and Jefferson counties · Colorado dog-bite statute
Westminster Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Westminster dog-bite claims under Colorado's statute: free consultation, no fee unless we recover for you.
Owner Liability Under Colorado's Dog Bite Statute
Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can hold a dog owner liable when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death, so long as the injured person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's private property. This applies whether the bite happened near U.S. Highway 36, along Federal Boulevard, or anywhere else in Westminster where you had a legal right to be.
A key feature of this statute is that you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten before. That one-bite-free assumption does not apply here. If the injury meets the statute's definition of serious bodily injury, owner liability can attach based on the bite itself.
The statute covers economic damages. Noneconomic losses, including scarring and pain, often require a separate negligence claim built alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate both angles from the start so no part of your case gets left out.
Proving Your Claim and Meeting the Injury Threshold
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's function. Medical records from providers such as CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital help establish where your injury falls on that spectrum. If the injury is less severe, a negligence claim may still be the right path, and we build the case accordingly.
Defenses like provocation or trespass can come up, along with statutory exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs during the incident. We look closely at where the bite occurred, whether it was in Broomfield, near 120th Avenue, or elsewhere in the Westminster area, and whether you were lawfully present, since that fact matters directly under the statute.
- Photos of the injury and the location where the bite happened
- Names and contact information for the dog's owner and any witnesses
- Medical records describing the extent and severity of the injury
- Any animal control or police report filed after the incident
- Notes on whether you were on public property or lawfully on private property
Handling Westminster Dog Bite Cases
Depending on where the bite occurred, your case may fall within Adams County or Jefferson County, since Westminster spans both. That can affect which court, the Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts, ends up handling the matter. We sort out the right venue and file accordingly.
We work with clients across Westminster neighborhoods, from areas near I-25 to Broomfield and the Federal Boulevard corridor. Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly handle claims arising from bites throughout the Adams and Jefferson county areas.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical expenses for treatment of the bite injury
- Costs of future or follow-up medical care
- Lost income if the injury kept you from working
- Scarring and disfigurement, often through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering tied to the incident
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 Colorado dog-bite statute FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Colorado's statute does not require proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten anyone previously. If your injury meets the statute's serious bodily injury standard and you were lawfully present, that history is not a required element.
What if my injury does not qualify as serious bodily injury?
You may still have a claim under general negligence principles. We assess the facts and medical records to determine whether the statutory claim, a negligence claim, or both fit your situation.
Can I recover for scarring or emotional pain under the statute?
The statute itself addresses economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses typically require pursuing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim, which we handle together for you.
What if the owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation is a recognized defense under the statute, along with trespass and certain exclusions for working dogs and dog handlers acting in that role. We gather evidence about what happened before the bite to address these defenses directly.
Which court will handle my Westminster case?
It depends on where in Westminster the bite occurred, since the city sits in both Adams and Jefferson counties. Your case may proceed through the Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts, and we determine the proper venue as part of preparing your claim.
Discuss a Westminster dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.