Teller County · Colorado Dog-Bite Statute
Woodland Park Dog Bite Statute Lawyers
Woodland Park dog bite statute lawyers for people hurt by a dog in Woodland Park. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Dog-Bite Statute: Woodland Park Claims Without Proving Prior Knowledge
McCormick & Murphy are Woodland Park dog bite statute lawyers for people bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property. We file in Teller County Combined Courts.
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 at the time. If you were bitten while walking near U.S. Highway 24 or Colorado Highway 67, visiting a home on Baldwin Street or Midland Avenue, or passing through the Manitou Springs area, this statute may apply to your case.
One of the more important features of this law is that it does not require you to prove the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. Unlike older negligence theories that hinged on prior knowledge of a dog's dangerous tendencies, this statute allows recovery even when the bite was the dog's first.
The statute's owner liability covers economic damages. If you also suffered scarring, pain, or other noneconomic losses, recovering for those typically requires bringing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim. We evaluate both angles when we take on a Woodland Park bite case.
Medical Records And Evidence That Prove Serious Bodily Injury In Woodland Park
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. If you were treated at UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, those medical records help establish whether your injury meets that threshold or whether a negligence claim is the better path for a lesser bite.
We also look closely at defenses the owner may raise, including provocation or trespass, and at the statute's specific exclusions for certain working dogs and people whose job involves handling dogs at the time of the bite. Documenting exactly where the bite happened, whether you were lawfully present, and what led up to the incident helps us anticipate these defenses early.
- Photos of the wound and the location where the bite occurred
- Medical records from any treatment, including at UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Information about the dog and its owner, including where the incident happened
- Notes on whether you were on public property or lawfully on private property
Serving Woodland Park And Teller County From Our Colorado Springs Office
Dog bite cases arising in Woodland Park and Teller County are typically handled through Teller County Combined Courts. We work with clients bitten in neighborhoods along Baldwin Street and Midland Avenue, near the corridors of U.S. Highway 24 and Colorado Highway 67, and in the surrounding Manitou Springs area.
Our office is located at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, a short drive from Woodland Park, and we meet with clients from across Teller County to review the facts of their case and explain how the statute and negligence law apply to what happened to them.
Investigating Woodland Park Dog Bite Statute Claims & Client Office Access
- No Prior-Bite Proof Required: Colorado's dog bite statute allows recovery when a bite causes serious bodily injury without proving the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. Serious bodily injury means substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function.
- Preserve Evidence Early: Keep photos of the wound and location, medical records from UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital or other treatment, witness names, information about the dog and owner, and notes on whether you were on public property or lawfully on private property when the bite occurred.
- Office Access: Clients meet with our team at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 ↗ — with home or hospital consultations available if severe injuries prevent travel.
Economic Losses Woodland Park Dog-Bite Victims Can Recover
- Medical expenses for treatment of the bite injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Scarring and disfigurement, pursued through a negligence claim
- Pain and suffering, pursued through a negligence claim
- Future medical costs tied to ongoing treatment or complications
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Woodland Park — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Clear Answers On Woodland Park Dog-Bite Statute Claims
Do I need Woodland Park dog bite statute lawyers after an injury?
Call Woodland Park 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 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Colorado's dog bite statute does not require you to show the owner knew the dog had a history of biting. This is one of the key differences from older negligence-only approaches.
What counts as serious bodily injury under the statute?
It means a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or a protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ's function. If your injury does not meet that bar, you may still be able to pursue a negligence claim instead.
Can I recover for scarring and pain under this statute?
The statute's owner liability is limited to economic damages. Scarring, pain, and other noneconomic losses generally require bringing a separate negligence claim alongside the statutory claim.
What if I was on the dog owner's property when I was bitten?
The statute can still apply as long as you were lawfully on that private property at the time. If you were trespassing, that can serve as a defense for the owner.
Are there exceptions for working dogs or dog handlers?
Yes, the statute lists specific exclusions for certain working dogs and for people whose job involves handling dogs when the bite occurs during that work. Whether an exception applies depends on the specific facts of the incident.
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Colorado Springs — Downtown
Discuss Your Woodland Park Dog Bite Statute Case
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