Contact a Dog Bite Attorney if You Are Bitten by a Dog

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Approximately 20 percent need medical attention, and 27,000 of those bitten will need reconstructive surgery. In 2013, 31 people in the U.S. were killed by dog bites. Those who are injured by dog bites are entitled to compensation. A dog bite attorney will help you pursue your claim.

COLORADO’S STRICT LIABILITY STATUTE

Under Colorado law, if a dog bite causes you serious bodily injury when you were legally in a public or private place, the owner of the dog is responsible for your economic damages. It is referred to as a “strict liability” law because you do not have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had ever bitten anyone before.
The law only applies if you suffered serious bodily injury, which means there was a substantial risk that you could die or that you suffered permanent disfigurement or protracted loss of the use of a body part. Although economic damages include your medical bills and lost wages, it does not compensate you for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Even though it is a strict liability law, the dog owner may claim you were not legally on the property where the dog bite occurred and that the property was clearly marked with a “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog” warning. Even if legally on the property, the statute prevents you from collecting if the owner proves you provoked the dog.

Compensation Due to Owner’s Negligence

If the dog bite injury does not rise to the legal definition of serious bodily injury, you may still collect for your damages under the negligence theory. You will need to prove that your dog bite was caused by the owner failing to exercise reasonable care in restraining or controlling the dog.

WHAT TO DO IF BITTEN

Seek medical care in order to document your injury. Take photographs if possible. Get the correct name and address of the dog owner. Notify the police and animal control and verify the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccination.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, you need the services of a dog bite attorney who will fight for you to recover the maximum compensation to which you are legally entitled.

Dog Bite Attorney

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Approximately 20 percent need medical attention, and 27,000 of those bitten will need reconstructive surgery. In 2013, 31 people in the U.S. were killed by dog bites. Those who are injured by dog bites are entitled to compensation. A dog bite attorney will help you pursue your claim.

COLORADO’S STRICT LIABILITY STATUTE

Under Colorado law, if a dog bite causes you serious bodily injury when you were legally in a public or private place, the owner of the dog is responsible for your economic damages. It is referred to as a “strict liability” law because you do not have to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had ever bitten anyone before.
The law only applies if you suffered serious bodily injury, which means there was a substantial risk that you could die or that you suffered permanent disfigurement or protracted loss of the use of a body part. Although economic damages include your medical bills and lost wages, it does not compensate you for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Even though it is a strict liability law, the dog owner may claim you were not legally on the property where the dog bite occurred and that the property was clearly marked with a “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog” warning. Even if legally on the property, the statute prevents you from collecting if the owner proves you provoked the dog.

Compensation Due to Owner’s Negligence

If the dog bite injury does not rise to the legal definition of serious bodily injury, you may still collect for your damages under the negligence theory. You will need to prove that your dog bite was caused by the owner failing to exercise reasonable care in restraining or controlling the dog.

WHAT TO DO IF BITTEN

Seek medical care in order to document your injury. Take photographs if possible. Get the correct name and address of the dog owner. Notify the police and animal control and verify the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccination.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, you need the services of a dog bite attorney who will fight for you to recover the maximum compensation to which you are legally entitled.