Dog bite victims have a legal right to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation that covers the full cost of their injuries. At Boesen Law, a personal injury lawyer in Lakewood will assist you in understanding your rights and filing a dog bite claim to aid your recovery.
With decades of experience in Colorado, we are ready to help you through every step of the legal process.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
Why Choose a Lakewood Dog Bite Lawyer at Boesen Law?
Over the years, we’ve consistently delivered big results while offering a personalized approach with legal strategies tailored to each specific case. We can help you by meticulously investigating your case, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies to ensure a fair settlement.
Additionally, we’ll handle all the paperwork and ensure you file your claim while adhering to the deadlines and requirements stipulated by law. We aim to alleviate your legal burdens so you can focus on healing: our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide the support you need.
Can You Sue a Dog Owner for a Bite in Lakewood, Colorado?
If you were bitten by a dog in Lakewood, Colorado, you might be able to sue the dog’s owner under the state’s strict liability laws. Colorado law holds owners accountable when their dog causes serious bodily injury to someone who is legally on public or private property. Unlike other types of claims, you don’t need to prove the dog was known to be dangerous or that the owner was negligent. However, your case could be affected if you provoked the dog or were trespassing at the time of the incident. For injuries that don’t meet the “serious” threshold, you may still have legal options through negligence claims. A skilled dog bite lawyer can evaluate your situation and help you recover compensation for your injuries, medical costs, and other damages.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Colorado
If you are seeking compensation, a dog bite attorney at Boesen Law will evaluate the specific laws and requirements relevant to your case. These include:
Strict Liability for Dog Bites
In Colorado, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs under the state’s dog bite law (C.R.S. § 13-21-124).
This means that if a person suffers serious bodily injury or death due to a dog bite while lawfully on public or private property, the dog owner can be held liable for the victim’s economic damages (regardless of whether the dog had shown previous aggression or the owner was negligent).
This differs from the one-bite rule in other states, where the owner may not be liable if they were unaware of the dog’s propensity for aggression.
Exceptions to Owner Liability
While Colorado’s strict liability law is comprehensive, there are exceptions where dog owners aren’t liable. On the one hand, the owner isn’t responsible for damages if the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing at the time of the attack.
On the other hand, if the owner posted clear warning signs, such as “beware of the dog“, they could have a viable defense.
Common Injuries and Complications from Dog Bites
We have seen how dog attacks, including cases of dogs attacking children, often result in a wide range of injuries and complications, including:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Nerve damage
- Infections
- Psychological trauma and PTSD
If you, unfortunately, find yourself a victim of a dog bite, prioritize getting medical help and thoroughly documenting your injuries. These medical records are crucial for building your case, whether you decide to press charges against dog attacks or seek compensation through a civil claim. Proper documentation ensures you have the evidence needed to secure compensation for your injuries and emotional suffering.
What Should I Do if a Dog Bites Me?
Following a dog bite, here are the immediate steps you should follow to strengthen your position for a personal injury claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Obtain prompt medical care to assess and treat your injuries.
- Report the incident to Lakewood Animal Control: This will provide an official record that supports your claim.
- Document injuries and the scene with photos: Visual evidence can be invaluable in demonstrating the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the attack.
- Obtain contact information of the dog owner and any witnesses: Gathering details from involved parties can aid in establishing liability and securing witness testimony if needed.
Moreover, we recommend contacting a dog bite attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced team at Boesen Law can advocate on your behalf and guide you through the whole legal process.
Dog Bites by Breed
Tracking dog bite statistics can be challenging due to the lack of a standardized system for reporting and recording such incidents. However, regional studies provide valuable insights. A review of data from the Front Range, covering approximately 6,500 reported dog bites from 2012 to 2013, highlighted five breeds most commonly associated with bite incidents:
- Labradors
- German Shepherds
- Pit Bulls
- Chihuahuas
- Bulldogs
It is essential to understand that breed identification can often be subjective, as many dogs are mixed breeds and classifications are typically based on observations by victims or animal control officers. Additionally, a dog’s behavior is influenced more by its training, socialization, and environment than its breed alone.
Reports have also examined the rates of euthanasia among dog breeds in the region. Pit Bulls were noted as the most frequently euthanized breed, likely tied to local breed-specific bans and restrictions. Other breeds with high euthanasia rates included Labradors, Chihuahuas, German Shepherds, and Bulldogs. It’s important to note that not all euthanized dogs were aggressive—many cases were due to medical issues or shelter overcrowding.
Conversely, some breeds were rarely involved in bite reports. Breeds such as Affenpinschers, Anatolian Shepherds, Australian Kelpies, Australian Terriers, and Basenjis were each associated with only a single reported bite during the same study period.
While any dog is capable of biting, proper training, responsible ownership, and understanding a dog’s temperament are key to reducing the likelihood of aggressive incidents. If you or a loved one has been bitten, seeking legal advice can help ensure your rights are protected and appropriate actions are taken.
Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
The types of damages in a personal injury lawsuit include:
- Medical expenses: Covers all medical costs related to the injury, both past and future.
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity: Compensates for income lost due to inability to work, but also for potential future income loss.
- Pain and suffering: Acknowledges the physical pain and emotional suffering endured by the victim.
- Emotional distress: Accounts for psychological impact and trauma resulting from the incident.
- Property damage: Reimburses for any personal property damaged during the attack.
If you’re wondering how much your case is worth, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at Boesen Law. During this meeting, we can discuss your case and explore the potential compensation you may be eligible to receive, depending on your case’s specific circumstances.
How Much Can You Get Paid for a Dog Bite?
The compensation amount for a dog bite claim varies significantly based on several factors, such as:
- Severity of injuries: More severe injuries typically result in higher compensation due to the greater impact on the victim’s life and health .
- Medical costs and future care needs: Compensation should cover both current medical expenses and anticipated future costs for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation.
- Impact on quality of life: The degree to which the injuries affect the victim’s day-to-day living, hobbies, and overall enjoyment of life influence compensation amounts.
- Ability to work: If the injuries affect the victim’s ability to perform their job or result in a loss of earning capacity, compensation should include these lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: More severe physical pain and emotional distress will result in higher compensation.
By reviewing our case results, you can gain insights into real case outcomes and potential compensation amounts you could receive for your dog bite incident. However, we highly encourage you to schedule a free consultation with us to get a thorough evaluation of your case.
What Constitutes Serious Bodily Injury?
Under C.R.S. § 18-1-901, serious bodily injury is defined as an injury that involves a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or loss or impairment of the function of any body part.
For instance, a dog bite resulting in significant facial injuries with permanent scarring, damage to tendons and nerves causing loss of function, or deep tissue wounds leading to severe infections would be classified as a serious bodily injury.
The classification of an injury as serious warrants higher damages, significantly impacting compensation claims. When pursuing legal action, seeking the help of an experienced lawyer is essential to accurately assess the extent of injuries, adhere to the time limits on personal injury cases, and pursue appropriate compensation.
Contact a Lakewood Dog Bite Lawyer Today – Schedule a Free Consultation
After being bitten by a dog in Lakewood, don’t delay seeking legal assistance. At Boesen Law, a dog bite attorney will help you protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. To secure the help you need to get financially restituted, contact us today.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
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