Colorado Dog Bite Resources:
- What should I do after being attacked by a dog?
- What are typical injuries relating to a dog bite?
- What compensation can I recover from a Denver dog bite lawsuit?
- What are the Colorado dog bite laws?
- What is the Colorado liability statute?
- How do I prove negligence in a Colorado dog bite claim?
- What is the statute of limitations in a Colorado dog bite claim?
- When should I contact a Denver dog bite attorney?
Colorado Dog Bite Law
In Colorado, victims of dog bites have the potential to recover compensation under typical grounds including negligence, violation of applicable animal control regulations, or knowledge of an animal’s propensity to attack. Furthermore, Colorado’s dog bite statute also provides for strict liability of dog owners, regardless of knowledge, for cases in which victims suffer serious bodily injury due to the bite itself, though the remedy is limited to medical costs only, should the victim only be able to establish liability on this particular basis.
For purposes of the strict liability provisions of the dog bite statute in Colorado, “serious bodily injury” encompasses harm such as:
- bone fractures
- significant risk of permanent disfigurement
- significant risk of impaired bodily function, including the internal organs
- serious burns
- significant risk of death
Typical Injuries in Dog Bite Cases
While it is certainly true that dog attacks have the potential to impact people of all ages, children tend to sustain the lion’s share of injuries related to them. The harm suffered as a result of dog bites can affect a child for years to come, as it often combines both physical as well as psychological manifestations that may include anxiety disorders. Common injuries seen in dog attack victims include:
- puncture damage
- crush injuries
- deep lacerations
- nerve and tissue damage
- lasting disfigurement and scars
- dangerous infections
- serious sprains
- fractures
- emotional disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety-related conditions
Responsibility of Colorado Owners to Prevent Dog Attacks
It is important for dog owners in Colorado to realize that they have a duty to take steps to ensure that their animals do not attack. Actions that may prevent dog bite events include:
- keeping pets leashed when not on owner’s property
- addressing aggressive behavior when it first appears
- maintaining up-to-date vaccinations
- limiting animal’s contact with strangers
- placing printed warning signs on property to alert visitors of danger
Possible Exceptions to Dog Owner Liability
There are numerous fact patterns which could easily result a finding of negligence on the part of a dog owner following a serious attack, and it is equally important for everyone to realize that Colorado’s strict liability dog bite statute outlines only a very small number of circumstances in which an owner would not be held responsible for injuries produced by their animal. These consist of:
- situations in which the victim was a trespasser
- situations in which the dog bite occurred on the owner’s property and warning signs were posted
- situations where the victim can be shown to have provoked the animal
- instances in which the animal was officially aiding military or law enforcement personnel
- circumstances in which the victim was a professional dog handler, groomer, veterinarian or the like who was performing typical duties
- situations in which the animal was on its owner’s property and performing herding, farming or other types of work
Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
There can be no doubt that a vicious dog attack can have long-lasting ramifications for victims as well as those who love them. If any silver lining is to be found it is that the law offers those harmed by dog bites the opportunity to pursue significant financial compensation from responsible parties, which may include:
- past, present and anticipated future medical expenses
- costs of physical and emotional therapy and rehabilitation
- physical pain and suffering
- lost employment wages and reduced earning capacity
- loss of martial and other relationships
- costs of ongoing care and support services
- punitive damages in extreme cases
How to Proceed After an Attack Occurs
In order to stand the best chance at securing compensation following a dog attack, it is crucial for victims to take action as soon as possible. First, it is necessary to identify the dog’s owner and any insurance carriers potentially responsible for covering losses. Victims must immediately seek and receive all required medical treatment so that the extent of injury can be fully ascertained. Photographic evidence and witness statements should collected whenever possible, and it makes good sense to file a report with local authorities in order to begin developing an official record of what occurred. However, perhaps the most critical action to take following an attack of this nature is to contact an experienced dog bite attorney who can delve into the facts and explain your rights.
Protecting the Interests of Dog Bite Victims Across Colorado
A dog attack can be a truly terrifying, bewildering experience, and the consequences can range from temporarily disabling to profoundly tragic. Colorado law affords those harmed in this way the ability to seek full and fair compensation, though the time made available to do so is strictly limited. Victims must bring claims of this type within two years of the injury date or their opportunity to pursue payment for losses sustained will be forever forfeited.
Attorney Jeremy Rosenthal is committed to offering clients the care and understanding injury victims need, together with the zealous advocacy they deserve at what is most certainly among the most difficult times in their lives. If you would like to pursue financial recovery following a serious dog bite event, contact us at 303.825.2223 for a no-cost initial consultation.