Denver Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
A dog attack is both physically and emotionally traumatizing. Colorado has strict liability laws concerning dog attacks, and you will need a local Denver dog bite injury lawyer to explain your rights and options for recovering fair compensation.
At Varner Faddis Elite Legal, we represent injury victims and achieve successful results for our clients, including six and seven-figure settlements and awards. Reach out to our team for a free consultation regarding your rights after you suffered severe injuries from a dog bite.
Do not deal with the repercussions of another person’s negligence alone when you suffer a dog bite. Take legal action and get compensation for your losses.
Call us today at 720-710-9073 or contact our firm online to have an experienced dog bite attorney review your claim at no cost.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Us for Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
- Dog Owner Liability
- Other Dog Bite Liability Issues
- How to File a Dog Bite Injury Claim
- The Severity of Dog Bite Injuries
- Compensation for Dog Bites
- Evidence and Documentation You Need
- Colorado Dog Bite Laws
- Speak with the Denver Dog Bite Lawyers at Varner Faddis Elite Legal, LLC
Why Choose Our Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
After a dog bite injury, you want to focus on recovery and may not want to focus on getting a Denver dog bite attorney. However, you must choose the right attorney to help you get all the compensation you need. Looking at the attorney’s experience, especially regarding dog bite cases, is crucial. Personal injury law covers various injury topics, and you must have a lawyer who understands Colorado’s dog bite statute and your case’s implications.
About Varner Faddis Elite Legal, LLC:
Varner Faddis Elite Legal, LLC has 32 years of experience in the personal injury space, and we have successfully handled many dog bite cases in Colorado.
Our dog bite attorneys have received many awards and honors from prominent legal 
organizations for our outstanding professionalism and dedication to our clients. We have received Top 40 Under 40 designations from both the National Trial Lawyers and the Association of American Trial Lawyers, and we have received the 10 Best in Client Satisfaction award from the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys.
We can help you seek compensation following a dog attack that left you with serious bodily injuries, and we will fight hard to help you recover the maximum amount possible.
Our law firm offers free consultations, and we work on contingency so you won’t have to pay us any money upfront to represent you. Additionally, our firm provides hospital and home visits for dog bite victims with debilitating injuries, so we can come to you if you cannot make it to our office.
We are here for you when you need us, and we promise to fight hard to help you get the maximum financial recovery possible so that you can focus on your physical recovery.
Colorado Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability for Dog Owners
Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience. If you were attacked in Colorado, this information is for you.
- Strict Liability: Unlike some states with a “one-bite rule,” Colorado holds dog owners strictly liable for any injuries caused by a dog bite, regardless of prior behavior. This means the owner is financially responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, as long as:
- You were lawfully on public or private property (not trespassing).
- The bite resulted in serious bodily injury.
Exceptions to Strict Liability
- Trespassing: If you were trespassing on private property when bitten, the owner is generally not liable (except for children under 6).
- Provocation: The dog owner may not be liable if you provoked the dog (e.g., throwing rocks). However, the burden of proof falls on the owner to show provocation.
Dog Owner’s Responsibility
Colorado dog owners have a legal duty to follow leash laws and other regulations. If their negligence (disobeying leash laws) contributes to a dog bite, they can be held liable for the damages.
Other Dog Bite Liability Issues
Other factors will affect your dog bite injury claim. The party that is most often held liable for a dog bite injury in Colorado is the dog owner. However, there are many stipulations where a dog owner may not be the responsible party.
If the dog was under the supervision of another person, such as a vet or boarding facility, those parties can bear some responsibility. A dog walker or professional dog handler can also have some liability.
Working dogs, such as military or police dogs, can exclude you from filing a claim. However, you can recover damages if these working dogs are not in an official capacity during the attack.
There are instances when a landlord is a liable party in a dog bite incident. The main reason a landlord will be responsible is if they knew the dog was on the property and it was a “clear potential for injury” to others who live or enter the premises.
For help determining all parties liable for your dog bite injury, contact an experienced dog bite attorney to review your dog bite case.
How to File a Dog Bite Injury Claim
Many dog bite victims do not think they have many options, but you do. You are not left to handle these traumatic events alone. You can file a personal injury claim in Colorado to recover compensation for your injury. These critical steps can help the outcome and validity of your claim.
After receiving medical attention, you will need to gather the contact information for the dog owner along with their renter’s or homeowner’s insurance information. You will also need to file a report with animal control, which hospital staff can sometimes facilitate.
The local police department and humane society can file a report with animal control. You may not want to take this step, but it will help your dog bite claim down the line. Your local animal control agency will also investigate and collect evidence, witness testimony, and more. Their investigation can help your personal injury claim.
The Severity of Dog Bite Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every five dog attacks requires immediate medical attention. Many dog bite injuries result in serious permanent disfigurement or scarring. Dog owners or caregivers must be held responsible for the actions they took or did not take that led to your injuries and life-changing condition.
A minor injury might not result in legal action, but serious injuries do. Every dog attack is unique; even the same dog can cause different injuries in separate incidents. Treat every injury as severe. A small bite can quickly become infected, leading to emergency medical attention.
Reports show the following as the most common dog bite injuries:
- Lacerations
- Teeth marks
- Cuts
- Muscle tears
- Broken bones and fractures
- Infections
You might wonder how you can suffer from a broken bone from a dog attack. When a dog attacks, they do not only use its teeth, but it can knock victims over. When it is a large dog, its weight alone can crush you. Even the bite itself can crush bones in hands or other delicate body parts.
Severe dog attack injuries include:
- Disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Permanent scars
- Wrongful death
When a dog attacks, the owner might be unable to stop them from attacking, and the victim is at their mercy. A dog can continue to attack until the person is no longer conscious or breathing.
Per the CDC, close to 27,000 people across the country had reconstructive surgery after a dog attack. Additionally, the Insurance Information Institute reports 17,989 dog bite claims were filed nationwide in 2021.
Compensation for Dog Bites
Any loss you suffer from a dog bite is recoverable through a Colorado dog bite injury claim. The severity of your injury will majorly impact the damages you can recover.
Most often, victims will recover payment for:
- Future Medical expenses
- Emergency medical expenses and surgery ($5,000 to $20,000)
- Emotional distress ($5,000 to $50,000)
- Pain and suffering ($10,000 to $100,000)
- Lost wages (Varies based on individual income)
- Scarring and disfigurement ($20,000 to $100,000)
- Permanent impairment damages Average settlement: $50,000 to $500,000
Every dog bite attack will have different outcomes. Dogs come in various breeds, meaning they can cause various damage. The bigger a dog, the stronger its teeth are. Small dogs can also cause significant damage since they are known for protecting their owners and space ferociously.
Evidence and Documentation You Need
When you file a report with animal control, they will investigate the cause of the incident, and your Denver dog bite injury lawyer will also conduct an investigation. We will look at the findings of the animal control agency and look for further evidence relevant to your case. An investigation is necessary if you did not file a report with your animal control agency.
You can also provide vital documents and evidence that your attorney is not privy to, like:
- Proof of rabies vaccine
- Dog owner contact information
- Pictures of the dog
- Pictures of your injuries
- Dog license information
- The dog owner’s renters or homeowner’s insurance information
- Information on any prior incidents the dog had, if applicable
You should collect as much evidence and documents as you can. Often, dog attack victims in Colorado are physically unable to collect these items, which is why you need a local dog bite injury lawyer for help.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws
Colorado law addresses dangerous dogs. CRS § 13-21-124 classifies any domesticated animal related to foxes, wolves, coyotes, or jackals as a dog.
Some dangerous dog breeds include:
- Pitbull
- Rottweiler
- Siberian husky
- Akita
- Bullmastiff
- Chow chow
- German shepherd
- Doberman pinscher
There are many other dangerous dog breeds in Colorado, but these are a few examples. Under the same statute, any person who suffers severe bodily injury or death after a dog bite can pursue and obtain economic damages from the dog owner. The Denver dog bite victim must be on public or private property in a legal capacity. Essentially the person must be on the property by implied or explicit consent by the property owner or performing an official duty.
Additionally, bodily injury in Colorado is any bodily injury with a risk of death, long-term loss, or permanent impairment. Injuries considered severe bodily injury include broken bones, fractures, burns, and more. Furthermore, the injury doesn’t have to happen at the moment of the attack; it can result later. For example, an infection may not appear until a few days after a dog bite.
Dog bite cases fall under strict liability, meaning the dog owner will have to pay for damages to the victim regardless of negligence.
Speak with the Denver Dog Bite Attorneys at Varner Faddis Elite Legal, LLC
Denver Dog Bite Injury Attorneys, Eric Faddis
Dog owners have a responsibility to supervise and control their dogs. All dogs must be on a leash when not in the home, especially those with aggressive tendencies. Homeowners must ensure they have a tall fence to keep the dogs inside and beware of dog signs that the public can see when approaching the property.
Even when owners do the right thing, dogs can still attack unpredictably.
Varner Faddis Elite Legal, LLC offers creative options for compensation recovery. We have recovered substantial personal injury awards of up to $1,130,000. However, dog bites and injuries vary, and there is no way to tell how much your claim will be worth without looking at all aspects of your situation.
Our firm has over 32 years of combined experience in personal injury matters, including dog bites. We are result-oriented and innovative. You will have diligent and aggressive representation through every stage of your injury claim. We have innovative case management technology, so you are always abreast of where your case is and what will happen next.
It is critical to have a local dog bite injury lawyer who can explain dog bite laws and ensure you get the most for your damages. Contact our firm today at 720-710-9073 for a client-invested approach to your claim.
Centennial Office
6025 South Quebec St.
Suite 100
Centennial, CO 80111
Phone: 720-710-9073
Testimonials
All Charges-Found NOT GUILTY
“Eric took my case about a month before I had to go to trial. He showed up and showed out! His preparation for the case was phenomenal! He didn’t forget to study anything. He is the only lawyer I have ever met who actually cares about his clients, they are not just a paycheck to him. He will give you his all!
– Anonymous, Criminal Defense Client
