Denver Dog Bite Attorney

Have you or a loved one close to you been the victim of a dog bite? The Colorado dog bite statute, found in Colorado Statutes section 13-21-124, imposes strict liability on dog owners for any injury caused by that dog. Strict liability means that the plaintiff does not need to prove that the owner knew that his or her dog had vicious propensities. The statute applies only to a “serious bodily injury,” which is defined as a “bodily injury which 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, or burns of the second or third degree.”

If you have been the victim of a dog bite that has resulted in medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, you need an experienced dog bite attorney in Denver to represent you. At Whalen Injury Lawyers, our Denver dog bite lawyers have represented hundreds of clients over the years, including victims of dog bites, and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We aren’t just concerned with winning cases at Whalen Injury Lawyers, we’re concerned about making sure you and your family are taken care of and receive the compensation you’re entitled to along with the support you deserve.

Facts About the “One Bite Rule”

In the past, when someone would come forth after a dog attack to seek financial and emotional compensation for the offense, courts would require more proof of the animal’s violence before allowing the owner to be found sufficiently liable. This was the One Bite Rule, where a dog’s owner may not be liable on their pet’s first show of violence where there wasn’t notice of aggression. Some states still follow this rule, such as Nevada, Kansas, or New Mexico, but Colorado currently does not limit its dog bite claims to the One Bite Rule. This means that a dog does not have to have a history of violence for you to contact a Denver dog bite attorney for help – the statute only requires serious bodily injury.

This is put in place by Colorado’s Dog Bite Statute, which places liability on the owner for any serious injuries caused by a direct, physical attack by a dog. If a severe injury is incurred in this way, the victim may seek compensation from the owner with the guidance of a Denver dog bite attorney.

A serious injury in Colorado is currently defined as an injury which involves:

• Substantial risk of death
• Substantial risk of serious, permanent disfigurement
• Substantial risk of loss or impairment of any part of the body
• Bone fractures
• Bone breaks
• Or burns of the second or third degree

If you or a loved one has experienced any of these damages from a dog attack, don’t hesitate because of the One Bite Rule, contact a Denver dog bite attorney today.

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How Dog Owners Can Prevent Dog Attacks

Responsible dog owners in Colorado are obligated to care for and train their animals for both the safety of the dog and the public. Pet owners are responsible for properly socializing their dog with humans and other dogs, must be observant of and corrective towards aggressive behavior, and must restrain the animal to avoid potentially harmful interactions, if necessary. Dog owners who do not follow these basic duties risk their animal potentially causing an attack which can leads to bodily injury.

House Bill 04-1279, concerning liability relative to the behavior of dogs in Colorado, defines “bodily injury” as any physical injury that results in muscle tears, skin lacerations, or severe bruising requiring professional medical treatment, though it can also include any physical injury that requires corrective or cosmetic surgery. When referring to a “dog”, the House Bill also designates any domesticated animal related to the wolf, coyote, fox, or jackal as a dog. Furthermore, a “dog owner” refers to any person, corporation, firm, or organization owning, harboring, keeping, possessing, having financial or property interest in, or having custody or control of one such described dog.

To avoid any potential injuries to the public or other animals, our Denver dog bite attorneys recommend that Colorado dog owners should:

1. Keep all dogs on a leash when not at home, whether they have shown aggressive tendencies in the past or not.
2. Treat any signs of aggression as soon as they appear with proper training – Not with physical or aggressive punishment, which could encourage the negative behavior instead of dissuading such activity.
3. Keep your dog in good health and keep vaccinations current – Many dog bites occur due to a dog’s health declining in some way, including toothaches and illnesses.
4. Erect a reliable and sufficient fence to keep your dog away from strangers – This can consist of a wooden, stone, or electric fence, whichever works best for your neighborhood.
5. If your dog has shown signs of aggressive or territorial behavior in the past, post “beware of dog” signs prominently – If your dog jumps, barks, or snaps at strangers or loud noises be sure that you are putting appropriate signage around your home as a warning and putting your animal away when guests enter your home or property.

What To Do as a Victim of a Dog Bite

When not taken care of, dog bite injuries can pose serious health risks. Common dog bite injuries include: puncture and bite wounds, joint damage, orthopedic physical damage (which could require surgery), possible scarring, tendon and ligament injury, scar tissue, anxiety, depression, emotional pain and suffering, insomnia, and PTSD. If you or a loved one ever have been involved in a dog attack, our Denver dog bite attorneys recommend proceeding with these steps immediately after a dog bite incident to protect yourself:

1. Seek Medical Attention: It’s important to seek medical attention immediately, especially for dog bites, which are prone to infection. If possible, take photos of your dog bite wounds and obtain a copy of the doctor’s report for accurate documentation of any harm done, which can help a Denver dog bite attorney if you file for a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
2. Documentation: Besides documentation of any medical treatment, keep a record of perceived injuries in the days after the attack, including any pain, decreased mobility, or inability to perform certain functions. Also be sure to write down the events and circumstances surrounding the dog bite for a Denver dog bite attorney to reference if needed.
3. Expenses: Keep detailed records of any expenses incurred from a dog bite, including lost wages, medical bills, and travel costs. Accurate, detailed documentation makes it easier for your Denver dog bite attorney to assess the total compensation you deserve for your injuries.
4. Exchange Information: Obtain the name, address, and any contact information of the dog’s owner or caretaker, or any witnesses there were to the incident. This will maintain contact with the liable party and can help verify the dog’s vaccination history. Eyewitness accounts can also corroborate your claim and aide your Denver dog bite attorney in any claims or lawsuits.
5. Animal Control: Make a formal report with animal control if a police report was not immediately filed. Filing a dog bite incident report can help prevent any future dog bites from the same animal and the animal control agency’s investigation may help your case.

What Should You Look for in a Denver Dog Bite Attorney?

At Whalen Injury Lawyers, we understand the complexities of Colorado Dog Bite laws and our attorneys have the experience to effectively represent you in a dog bite injury claim as your dog bite lawyer in Denver. Most dog bite disputes are settled between the injured person and the dog owner or insurance company, so it’s entirely possible that your dog bite claim may never go to court. However, insurance companies sometimes offer victims of dog bite attacks as little compensation as possible for their injuries, especially when they are not represented by an experienced Denver dog bite lawyer. We don’t want to see that happen to you.

Our attorneys pride themselves in being listed in accredited publications such as:

• Colorado Super Lawyers
• Top Forty Under 40 by the Denver Business Journal
• National Trial Lawyers Association (NTL) as Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the Nation
• America’s Top 100 Attorneys
• US News & World Report Best Lawyers in America
• Top Attorneys in Colorado by 5280
• The Nation’s Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguish Counsel
• Best Attorneys of America (RUE)
• Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers in the Nation.
  

Why Choose Whalen Injury Lawyers?

If you have been the victim of a dog bite accident, you have a legal right to seek compensation for your losses, injuries and damages. In order to do so, you’ll need an experienced dog bite attorney in Denver to effectively pursue a lawsuit against the party or parties responsible. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. At Whalen Injury Lawyers, we work closely with you to ensure you receive the support you deserve and the representation you rely on in a distracted driving accident case. Our attorneys take pride in being recognized as Colorado Super Lawyers, Top Forty Under 40 by the Denver Business Journal, Top Attorneys in Colorado by 5280, The Nation’s Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguish Counsel and Best Attorneys of America (RUE). Our lawyers are also proudly listed by the National Trial Lawyers Association (NTL) as Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the Nation and Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers in the Nation.

Contact Us

When choosing a dog bite attorney in Denver to represent you, you need to be certain that you have the best possible representation. At Whalen Injury Lawyers, we exclusively represent clients against insurance companies and corporations in personal injury matters. Our dog bite attorneys in Denver have the courtroom experience that is crucial to properly represent you or a loved one in a dog bite injury claim. When you need a skilled, sympathetic, capable dog bite lawyer in Denver with a proven track record of success who will fight for your best interests, contact us today. You can reach us in Denver at (720) 307-2666 today to learn more. Our offices are conveniently located in the Denver Tech Center at 7955 East Arapahoe Court, Suite 2375, Centennial, CO 80112.