While dogs can provide love and companionship to their owners, they are very protective and sometimes aggressive. When a dog bites someone, their owner may be responsible for the harm they caused, depending on the circumstances. The Highland Ranch accident lawyers from Dulin McQuinn Young understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact that dog bites can have on victims, and we work hard to hold dog owners responsible for this harm.
What Are Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws?
Under Colorado law, a dog bite victim can recover compensation from the dog owner if they can prove the following by a preponderance of the evidence:
- They were bitten by a dog.
- They were lawfully on public or private property when the dog bite occurred.
- They suffered serious bodily injury, meaning it involved a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or a protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part or organ, fractures, or a second- or third-degree burn.
Under this law, the victim does not have to prove that the dog owner knew that the dog was dangerous or vicious (a legal concept known as “strict liability”. However, this aspect of the law only provides compensation for the victim’s economic damages. If the victim does not meet the definition for the strict liability law to apply or wants to pursue compensation for their physical scars, psychological trauma, or pain and suffering, they can base their claim on negligence principles. In these cases, the injury victim would have to prove that the dog’s owner knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous or vicious and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the dog from biting them.
What Financial Compensation is Available for Dog Bite Victims?
If you file a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages from the dog’s owner or handler. Economic damages cover direct financial losses you incurred as a result of the bite, such as:
- Hospital bills and other medical bills
- Emergency transportation and treatment
- Wound care
- Surgeries
- Prescription medication
- Over-the-counter supplies
- Lost wages for time off work to recover from your dog bite injuries
- Personal property that was damaged in the incident
Non-economic damages compensate for less tangible losses, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Fear, anxiety, and PTSD when you are around dogs
- Reduced quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages if a fatal attack occurs
Our compassionate dog bite lawyers work closely with victims to determine how the incident has affected them and fight diligently for maximum compensation.
What Is the Time Limit to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado’s statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation through the civil court system. Protect your rights by contacting an experienced attorney today.
Contact Dulin McQuinn Young Today
The Highlands Ranch dog bite lawyers from Dulin McQuinn Young stand up for dog bite victims and fight vigorously for maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation where we can discuss how we can help.