Jefferson County · Fatal dog attacks
Wheat Ridge Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers
A fatal dog attack in Wheat Ridge is a family tragedy and a legal claim. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats a Fatal Dog Attack
Colorado's dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, can apply when a bite causes death and the person was lawfully in a public place or lawfully on the owner's property. That statute establishes when a dog owner is responsible for a bite, but it does not by itself decide who in the family can bring a claim after a death.
That question is controlled by Colorado wrongful-death law, which sets out who may file and what the claim covers. We do not guess at which family member has the right to sue here, because that answer depends on the wrongful-death statute, not the dog-bite statute. Our wrongful-death page explains who may file and what losses that kind of claim addresses, and we walk families through how it connects to a fatal dog attack.
In practice, a fatal dog attack claim often draws on both bodies of law together: the dog-bite statute to establish the owner's responsibility for the attack itself, and wrongful-death law to determine who can pursue the claim and what it covers. We help Wheat Ridge families understand how these two pieces fit together for their specific situation.
Records That Matter in a Fatal Attack Case
A fatal dog attack typically generates more official documentation than a non-fatal bite. Animal-control and police records are often part of the picture, since a death involving a dog usually draws a response from local authorities and may involve an investigation into the circumstances of the attack, the dog's history, and where the attack occurred.
Medical records also matter, including any records from Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital or another facility that treated the victim before death. We work to gather these records early, along with any witness accounts and scene documentation, because they help establish what happened and who was responsible.
- Any animal-control or police report numbers or names of responding officers
- Contact information for anyone who witnessed the attack
- Medical records and bills from treatment before death
- Photos of the scene, the dog, and the property where the attack happened
- Any prior complaints or knowledge of the dog's aggressive behavior
Handling a Fatal Attack Claim From Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge cases connected to a fatal dog attack typically move through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We are familiar with how that court handles serious injury and wrongful-death filings and prepare accordingly, whether the attack happened near I-70, Wadsworth Boulevard, Kipling Street, West 38th Avenue, or in nearby Arvada.
Our office is in Denver, and we meet with Wheat Ridge families where it works best for them. A fatal dog attack case takes time to build correctly, and we make ourselves available throughout that process.
What a Wrongful-Death Claim May Address
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of the deceased's financial support
- Loss of care, companionship, and guidance
- Other losses recognized under Colorado wrongful-death law
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Wheat Ridge — 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.
Wheat Ridge Fatal dog attacks FAQ
Does the dog-bite statute alone tell me if I can file a claim after a fatal attack?
No. The dog-bite statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑124, addresses when a dog owner is responsible for an attack. Who may bring a claim after a death is governed by Colorado wrongful-death law, which is a separate set of rules we review with each family.
Who can file a wrongful-death claim after a fatal dog attack in Wheat Ridge?
That depends on Colorado wrongful-death law, and we do not guess at an answer without reviewing your family's specific situation. Our wrongful-death page explains the general rules, and we go through them with you directly.
Will animal control or police be involved in a fatal dog attack case?
Often, yes. A death involving a dog typically draws some form of official response, and any resulting records can become part of the evidence in a claim. We help gather these records as part of building the case.
What court would handle a fatal dog attack claim from Wheat Ridge?
Cases connected to Wheat Ridge typically proceed through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We are familiar with that court's procedures for serious injury and wrongful-death matters.
What does the consultation involve?
We listen to what happened, review any records or reports you already have, and explain how the dog-bite statute and wrongful-death law may apply to your family's situation. The consultation is free, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Discuss a Wheat Ridge dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.