Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney

At ELKUS & SISSON, P.C., our team of seasoned professionals brings a wealth of experience to navigating complex legal challenges with precision and dedication.

Each year, over four million people are bitten by dogs throughout the country. Nearly one million of these people will require medical attention. If you have been injured in a dog bite attack, the Colorado Springs dog bite lawyers at Colorado Accident Attorneys can represent you in the legal process.

Colorado has strict liability when dog bites cause serious bodily injury. You could also be eligible for compensation for dog-related injuries when the owner was negligent. The dog’s homeowner’s insurance company would be responsible for paying full damages, up to the policy limit.

Call the Colorado Accident Attorneys today to learn more about whether you qualify for financial compensation after a dog bite. We offer free consultations for prospective clients. You can speak with a lawyer today by calling us at 303-567-7981 or by sending us a message online.

Portrait of a big boxer dog barking in the park.

Colorado Law on Dog Bites

Colorado law on dog bites is somewhat complicated. The general principle is that the dog’s owner is strictly liable when you suffered “serious bodily injury” from a dog bite when you were lawfully on public or private property. It does not matter whether the dog was dangerous or had attacked before.

If you did not suffer “serious bodily injury,” or you were injured in a dog attack that did not involve a bite, you may still be able to file a lawsuit against the owner on the common law grounds of negligence.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to Dog Bite Attacks?

While anyone can be attacked and injured by a dog, no matter where they are, small children are the most vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries. Dogs are very territorial animals, and they often view children as competition for their space, especially because children are of a more similar size. In addition, children may not be able to spot the signs that a dog is agitated enough to back away.

Children can suffer even more serious injuries because dogs are more likely to bite them on the face and neck. Further, children must live an entire lifetime with the effects of the attack, which can include stress and trauma, especially when they see dogs.

Throw out any number that is purported to be an “average dog bite settlement.” There is one overarching principle at work in dog bite injury cases – you are entitled to be paid for your own unique damages, regardless of what someone else may or may not have gotten. To be fully paid, you may need to fight.

Your dog bite injury compensation can include:

Medical expenses
The cost or plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures
Lost wages (when you miss time from work for your own injuries or to care for an injured child)
Pain and suffering
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotions distress (especially when you or your child is suffering from PTSD)
Embarrassment and humiliation

The key is to know how much your case is worth before you negotiate.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (“Child Custody”)

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Defenses to Dog Bite Claims

Will My Insurance Rates Go Up After Someone Hits Me In Colorado

There are a number of defenses that the dog’s owner may use, that you may need to overcome before you can receive financial compensation. These defenses are laid out in the statute, and they include:

You were not lawfully on public or private property
The dog’s owner had prominently displayed a sign on their own property to either beware of the dog, or that there was no trespassing on the property
You deliberately provoked the dog

It may be more difficult for the dog’s owner to use the provocation defense when a small child is involved.

Why You Need a Dog Bite Attorney

In many instances, the real fight in a dog bite case will be about compensation. Even when liability is clear, it does not mean that the insurance company is going to want to pay your damages in full. Whether it was you or your child who was the victim, you must fight for every dollar that you deserve.

Your attorney would learn the value of your case and put pressure on the insurance company to fully pay you for the damage the dog caused. If the insurance company will not pay up, we will not hesitate to take your case all the way to trial, where a jury would award you damages.

Contact a Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney Today

Learn more about a potential dog bite claim or lawsuit by calling the Colorado Accident Attorneys today. Our lawyers will take the time to listen and learn before we give you any legal advice. The first step is to discuss your case with a lawyer during a free initial consultation. You can speak with a lawyer today by calling us at 303-567-7981 or by sending us a message online.