Dog Bite Attorneys

Attorneys for Dog Bites in Colorado Springs, CO

Dog bites can cause severe injuries, lifelong complications, and even death. To protect the public and keep dog owners accountable, Colorado has enacted special laws that treat dog bites differently from other personal injuries. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, an experienced dog bites attorney can explain your rights and legal options and advise whether you’re eligible to seek compensation from the owner.

Common Injuries Caused by Vicious Dogs in Colorado Springs, CO

Many dog bites don’t cause significant injuries, but some do and may cause serious and even permanent complications. Common types of dog bite injuries in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas include:

• Broken or punctured skin
• Broken bones
• Eye injuries
• Face injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Tissue damage
• Bacterial and viral infections
• Psychological trauma

Have you suffered serious injuries after a dog bite but don’t know where to turn? We can put your life back together.

To learn about your rights, call (719) 757-1182 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our dog bite lawyers at The Foley Law Firm. Our legal team will walk you through Colorado’s dog bite laws and your legal options. If you’re eligible to seek compensation, we can support you every step of the way.

What To Do Following a Dog Bite in Colorado Springs

Knowing what to do after a dog bite increases your chances of financial recovery. Take these steps if you’ve been bitten by a dog in Colorado Springs or the Pikes Peak region:

• Seek medical attention: Health comes first. As soon as you’re safe and the dog is restrained, call 911 to seek first aid.
• Call animal control: Contact animal control to ensure the dog will be handled humanely and safely.
• Collect the owner’s information: Gather as much information about the owner as possible. Write down their name, address, and contact details. If possible, take a picture of their driver’s license and ask about their homeowners insurance, which often covers dog bites.
• Consult with a Colorado Springs dog bites attorney: Dog bites are a special category of personal injury law. To ensure that you understand your legal options, contact a dog bites law firm near you.
• File your claim on time: If you’re eligible to seek compensation, be sure to file your claim within the legal deadline. The deadline or statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado is two years from the date of the incident.

Determining Responsibility and Seeking Compensation for Dog Bites in Colorado Springs

States typically have either a negligence-based or strict liability system for dog bite cases. Colorado uses a combination of both.

With dog bites that cause serious bodily injury or death, Colorado applies a strict liability rule. Strict liability means the dog owner is automatically liable for your injuries. Serious bodily injuries include:

• Substantial risk of death
• Substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement
• Substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily part or organ
• Breaks, fractures, or second- or third-degree burns

For less serious bites, Colorado applies the regular standard of negligence. That means you must prove the owner was negligent in controlling or restraining the dog, thereby causing your injuries.

Exemptions or Exceptions to the Dog Bite Rule in Colorado

Dog owners in Colorado have several possible exemptions. In strict liability cases, dog owners may use any of the following defenses:

• The animal was performing law enforcement or military duties
• The animal was performing its duties as a hunting, herding, ranch, or farm dog
• You are a veterinary health care worker, groomer, professional dog handler, dog show judge, or humane agency staff member and were working during the accident
• You provoked the dog or were trespassing
• The property had a clear and conspicuous “no trespassing” or “beware of dog” sign

In negligence-based cases, dog owners can use trespassing and comparative negligence as defenses. A comparative negligence defense claims that you contributed partly or wholly to your injuries. If the dog owner can show that you were 50% or more at fault for the dog bite, you will likely lose your right to collect damages. If you were less than 50% at fault, your damages award will be reduced by your respective percentage of fault.

Work with The Foley Law Firm — Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers in Colorado Springs, CO

Were you bitten by a dog in Colorado Springs or the Pikes Peak region? Don’t let a dog bite ruin your life. You may be able to seek financial recovery, but you must fast.

Call us at (719) 757-1182 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our dog bite lawyers. We will explain Colorado’s dog bite laws and advise whether you’re eligible for compensation. If you’re eligible to seek compensation, we can guide you at every turn.