Denver Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Denver, the physical pain is often only part of the issue. You may be dealing with scarring, infection, unexpected medical bills, missed work, and the worry that someone will try to downplay your injuries or blame you. Dog bite laws in Colorado can get complicated, but you don’t have to deal with them on your own. Our team will  guide you through every step, fight for the care you need, and help you get compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Denver personal injury lawyer. 

Reasons to Hire Ridder Law for Your Denver Dog Bite Claim

Dog bite victims in Denver often count on Ridder Law when they want compassionate advocacy and results. Our firm sets itself apart in many ways.  

• Over 13 years of legal experience dealing with injury cases in Colorado
• Compassionate, personalized attention at every stage of your claim
• Millions of dollars recovered on behalf of clients
• Recognition by Super Lawyers for skill and dedication
• Direct access to your Denver attorney by call or text – never handed off to staff or ignored 

Many firms advertise heavily, then assign your case to someone you never meet. We take a different approach. At Ridder Law, you always work directly with a Denver lawyer who knows your story and will fight tirelessly for your rights. Reach out to learn more about how we stand up for local victims.

How a Denver Dog Bite Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights

If you’ve been hurt because of a dog bite or animal attack, protecting your rights and recovering fair compensation is often tougher than most people expect. A Denver lawyer will help you in many ways:  

• Help reporting your case to appropriate authorities 
• Undertake a full investigation by collecting all relevant evidence and speaking with witnesses 
• Negotiate with insurance adjusters to make sure you don’t accept an offer for less than your actual costs 

Even minor dog bites can turn serious fast. Instead of taking chances against insurance companies who may try to blame you or downplay injuries, let a Denver dog bite attorney pursue your claim.

Colorado Dog Bite Rules

Colorado’s dog bite laws aren’t the same for every case.  In some dog bite cases, owners are strictly liable, while in others, you have to prove negligence. Knowing the difference is important if you want to be fully compensated for your injuries. 

Strict Liability For Serious Bodily Injury Claims

Strict liability means a dog owner is automatically responsible when specific requirements are met, no matter whether or not they were careful.  This rule usually applies when:

• The dog causes serious bodily injury or death
• The person bitten was lawfully on public property or had permission to be on private property

In strict liability cases, you do not have to show that the owner acted in a careless or negligent way. 

(2) A person or a personal representative of a person who suffers serious bodily injury or death from being bitten by a dog while lawfully on public or private property shall be entitled to bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner regardless of the viciousness or dangerous propensities of the dog or the dog owner’s knowledge or lack of knowledge of the dog’s viciousness or dangerous propensities.

Colorado defines “serious bodily injury” as:

• Death
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Significant loss or long-term problems with an organ or body part
• Broken bones
• Second or third-degree burns

(p) “Serious bodily injury” means bodily injury that, either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, involves a substantial risk of death; a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement; a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body; or breaks, fractures, a penetrating knife or penetrating gunshot wound, or burns of the second or third degree.

If strict liability applies, you can seek economic damages only. These might include medical bills, lost wages, and other direct costs. If you’re seeking money for things like pain and suffering or the emotional impact of a bite (non-economic damages), you’ll usually have to show the owner was negligent.  

Negligence For More Minor Claims

If the attack does not cause “serious” injuries, you’re not shut out from recovering damages. Instead, the law says you’ll need to fully prove negligence, which is more like most ordinary injury cases. In Colorado, to show the owner was negligent, you have to satisfy three points:

• The owner had a responsibility (a duty) to control the dog
• The owner failed to use reasonable care or acted improperly
• That failure directly caused your injury
• Your injury led to losses/damages

If you prove these elements, you’re eligible for both economic damages (like costs for treatment and time missed from work) and non-economic damages, such as money for pain and suffering or anxiety from the bite. 

If you’re not sure which set of rules impacts your claim, a dog bite lawyer can help explain your rights under both strict liability and negligence.

An Award-Winning Firm With Colorado Roots

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation About Your Dog Bite Injury Case

Being attacked or bitten by a dog can be traumatic, but you don’t have to handle the aftermath by yourself. The sooner you get experienced legal help, the sooner you can focus on recovery instead of paperwork and pushback from insurers. Ridder Law is prepared to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free at (303) 625-6643, no-obligation consultation, and let us help make things right while you focus on getting better.