Dog Bite Claims in Colorado

Dogs are not just our best friends, but they’re also the most popular pet across the country, with close to half of households owning one. While canine companions can be wonderful, they also pose a risk. In fact, there are more than 300,000 ER visits across the nation, on average, due to dog bite incidents each year.

If you or your child have been injured by a dog, know that there are options for seeking financial recovery. If you’ve been bitten and would like to know more, contact the Denver offices of Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation consultation with a dog bite claims attorney. You can always reach us at 970-999-0530 if you’ve been injured.

Animal attacks can happen in a few different ways:

• Pet attacks. This is by far the most common type of dog bite incident. A dog owner may leave their dog off a leash or fail to supervise their pet and the dog may end up attacking someone.
• Dog attacks on children. Unfortunately, dog attacks commonly affect children. Kids are smaller targets and may not know how to act around dogs, which can make them a target. Due to their smaller size, children are also more likely to be severely injured, especially around the head and face.
• Law enforcement dog attacks. Police and other agencies use dogs as part of their jobs. In some cases, innocent people are severely injured by these canines. It is especially difficult to hold government agencies accountable for personal injury due to liability protections, which is why you will need an experienced personal injury attorney if you find yourself in this situation.
• Workplace injuries involving dogs. Some employees, including utility workers and delivery drivers, need to enter properties as part of their work. When they do, they can be bitten by dogs if pet owners are negligent in keeping their pets restrained.

In Colorado, when a dog attack happens the injured party can file a legal claim against the owner of the dog to seek compensation for medical care, reconstructive surgery, counselling or therapy, lost income, lost earning potential, and other losses. Under state law, dog owners are considered liable for their animal, whether the dog has a history of aggression or not.

There are several ways you can reduce the risk of a dog attack. The most important is to avoid interactions with dogs you don’t know and to get familiar with how to approach dogs safely. Florida Health has tips on how you can prevent attacks.

Even with every precaution, however, dog attacks can happen. If they happen to you or your child, here’s what you’ll want to do next:

• Get medical attention. You may need rabies shots, stitches, and other treatment and the sooner you get this treatment the better. Even if the bite seems like something you can treat at home, getting a medical evaluation helps you start documenting your case.
• Gather evidence. Take photos of the injury and the dog, if you can do so safely. Take note of when the attack took place and when. You will need information if you file a claim against the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy or work with an attorney to make a claim.
• Report the dog bite. It’s important for local authorities to know about the attack so they can keep others safe.
• Contact a Colorado dog bite claims lawyer. The costs of a dog bite can be astronomical. You may need to pay for ongoing treatment, lost time at work, and more. An experienced Colorado dog bite claims attorney can help you determine whether you have a personal injury claim and can pursue fair compensation for you, if you qualify.

Have you or your child been bitten by a dog? If so, contact the Denver offices of Flaxman Law Group at 970-999-0530 for a free accident consultation with a Colorado dog bite attorney. It doesn’t matter if the dog who bit you has a history of attacks or not. You may still be eligible for compensation. To know for sure, let our family law firm review the details of your case with you in a free accident consultation.