Dog Bite Attorney In Colorado Springs

Have You Suffered A Dog Bite In Colorado Springs?

If you or a family member has been attacked by a dog in Colorado Springs, you should know something about Colorado’s dog bite statute (C.R.S 13-21-124).

You should also learn about your rights for dog bite injuries.

You’ll also need an experienced dog bite attorney, Jeremy Loew to get you the compensation for injuries you suffer.

Dog Bite Statistics

From DogBite.org – the following dog breeds that are known for attacks that can lead to serious injuries, and even death, include:
German Shepherd

• Bullmastiff
• Rottweiler
• Pit bull and pit bull mixes
• BoxerHusky
• Molosser breeds, which are roughly 9% of the dog population and accounts for 81% of all of the dog attacks on kids and 76% of the attacks that result in fatalities.

From about 2005 to 2015, pit bulls were responsible for killing 213 people in the United States and are responsible for 64% of the total deaths recorded from dog attacks.

Colorado Dog Bite Law – Serious Injuries

The Colorado Dog Bite Law places a strict liability on any dog owner if the dog attack causes death or a serious bodily injury. In case of bodily injury, the dog owner may be financially responsible for all injuries sustained. Serious bodily injury is an injury that causes any of the following;

• 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.

For Colorado’s strict liability statute to apply, the dog bite victim must have been on public property or lawfully on private property when the injury occurred.

Colorado One Bite Rule

Have you heard about the “one bite rule?”

This rule, which may be relevant in states that don’t have a dog bite statute allows a dog owner to assume that his or her dog isn’t dangerous until a dog displays a dangerous behavior that proves otherwise. Behavior such as attacking or biting a person is considered dangerous behavior. It is only after this “one bite” that the owner becomes liable for his or her animal’s behavior in this case.

Since Colorado has a dog bite statute (C.R.S 13-21-124) this one-bite rule doesn’t apply. If a dog bite causes serious injury, a dog owner can be held liable for those injuries sustained by a dog bite victim.

Lesser Injuries

If the injury isn’t serious or deadly (see above), then Colorado’s negligence rules apply. In the case of a lesser injury, the dog owner could be held liable for negligence and/or for violating animal control laws. As a dog bite victim without serious or deadly injuries, you still can be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Statute Of Limitations For Dog Bites

Every state has a time limit on filing for a personal injury case. For dog bites in Colorado the time limit is two years from the date of the injury. If you miss this deadline, you will lose the right to court-ordered compensation for your dog bite injuries.

It’s crucial that you call me, Jeremy Loew, at (719) 387-4111 immediately to preserve your compensation options.

What To Do When Bitten By A Dog

You need to seek immediate medical attention after any dog bite injury. Even if it is a minor attack, it is always important that you have proper medical care. Dog bites can cause serious infections, so you need proper medical attention. The possibility of rabies and other disease must be prevented.

In addition, put together a written statement regarding the dog attack. Note things such as the date, the place of the attack, what, in your opinion, caused the attack, and the address and name of the dog owner if you know it.

Always be sure that you take statements down from witnesses, including names and contact information.

Have your injuries photographed to have the wounds properly documented?

Gather together all of the medical records about the wounds, and any expenses that you have had from the injuries stemming from the dog attack. Be sure to include the costs for medications, bandages, and any wages you may have lost from being out of work. If there were personal items damaged, such as clothing, you need to include that too.

Contact an experienced Colorado Springs dog bite lawyer immediately.

You may have the chance to settle with the homeowner’s insurance company on your own, but it is not recommended you do so without legal representation. Never handle your own claim in a dog injury lawsuit. Many statistics show that payouts will be larger for those who are represented by a prominent dog bite attorney than those who go about their claim on their own.

Victims of dog bites are entitled to a lot more than just medical bills for reimbursement.

You might also be entitled to get the money for any lost wages after missing work. You may also be entitled to future treatment for emotional distress, or plastic surgery needed after a particularly traumatic attack. As a result, it may be necessary for children, in particular, to have counseling and therapy.

Liability In A Colorado Dog Bite Suit

When the determination is being made as to who is at fault for the dog bite injury, the ownership of the dog needs to be determined. In Colorado, they put a strict liability on owners who have dogs that injure others. While looking at the legal basis of strict liability, any owner will be liable for animal bites, even if he or she had no previous knowledge of the animal’s propensity for agitation, or that it was prone to attack.

The dog bite statute in Colorado provides for strict liability, but also only applies to any serious bodily injuries, relying on restrictive definitions of bodily injury and any serious bodily injuries. If someone relies solely on the dog bite statute in Colorado, they will only recover economic damages. Consequently, this means they will not be able to recover for:

• Emotional distress that is not a result of the actual physical injury
• Inconvenience
• Pain and suffering
• The loss of enjoyment of life

Get Maximum Compensation

To get full compensation for a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado, or to get compensation at all with a non-qualifying injury, the victim has to prove the incident resulted from:

• Violation of the dangerous dog law, the leash law, or any other law that prohibits dogs from running around at large
• Intentional or negligent conduct on the dog owner’s part
• Ownership of a dog while knowing the animal has had a history of vicious, dangerous propensities, meaning that they bit or threaten to bite people.

Any dog bite is a serious matter. Physical and emotional injuries can take months or even years to fully heal. Medical bills, lost work time and other expenses can add up to thousands of dollars very quickly. If you try to work with dog owners and insurance companies on your own, you will receive much less compensation than if you hired a competent dog bite lawyer.

An experienced Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney

You need an experienced dog bite attorney who can hit the ground running and has a track record of collecting the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.

Call me, Jeremy Loew at (719) 387-4111 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to learn how I can safeguard your legal rights and collect the compensation you deserve.