Brighton Dog Bite Attorneys
Dogs are popular pets in Brighton and throughout Colorado, and while many people interact happily with dogs, it is important to know your legal options if someone else’s dog bites and injures you. These incidents can happen unexpectedly in various ways, and it is possible for a dog attack to result in tremendous harm to the victim. If you or a loved one recently experienced a dog attack in Brighton, it can form the basis of a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner.
Helping Dog Bite Victims Recover in Brighton, CO
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of professional experience helping our clients in the Brighton area with a wide range of personal injury cases, including those arising from dog attacks. The state enforces the strict liability rule for dog bite cases, meaning a dog owner is fully responsible for all harm their pet inflicts on another person, regardless of whether the dog has ever injured anyone prior to the incident. However, this does not mean that winning your personal injury case will be easy or that you can manage the case on your own. The right attorney on your side will make every aspect of your case easier to handle and you will be more likely to maximize your recovery with their counsel and support.
Building a Dog Bite Claim in Brighton
For the strict liability rule to apply to a dog bite case, the victim must prove that they were legally present at the location where the attack occurred. For example, if a person breaks into somebody else’s house and the owner’s dog attacks them, the intruder would not be able to assert strict liability because they were illegally present on private property. Similarly, the victim must also show that they did not provoke the dog to attack.
Your Brighton dog bite attorney can help secure any evidence you may need to establish strict liability, and once you prove fault, you can proceed with calculating the damages you can claim from the dog owner. Damages you may be able to claim from the defendant include:
- Medical expenses. A dog attack could entail more harm than just an injury from a bite. Biting can lead to puncture wounds and lacerations, but it is also possible for a victim to be thrown to the ground, suffering traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and more. Some dog attacks result in catastrophic injuries that may lead to long-term or permanent disability.
- Lost wages. When a victim of a dog attack cannot work following their injury, the dog owner becomes liable for the victim’s missing income during their recovery period. Your Brighton dog bite attorney can help you seek recompense for lost wages and lost future earning power if you have been permanently injured by the dog.
- Property damage. If the dog damaged any of your personal property, you can claim these losses as economic damages in your personal injury case.
You also can seek pain and suffering compensation from the defendant, but Colorado law limits how much you can receive. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal can work with you to help maximize your recovery, but it is crucial that you reach out to our firm as soon as possible so we can start working on your case immediately.
Animal Bite Lawyer FAQs
Q: What Evidence Do You Need in a Dog Bite Claim in Brighton?
A: The state upholds the strict liability rule for dog bite claims, meaning a dog owner is fully responsible for all damages their pet inflicts on others. The only things the plaintiff must prove are that they were legally present at the location of the attack and that they did not provoke the dog. If you are unsure how to establish fault for a recent dog attack, it’s essential to consult a Brighton dog bite attorney as soon as possible.
Q: How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Dog Bite?
A: Colorado’s personal injury laws enable a plaintiff to seek recompense for all medical expenses resulting from the attack; they will also have the right to claim compensation for any income they are unable to earn after the incident. If the dog caused any property damage, the victim could claim repair and replacement costs and will have the right to seek pain and suffering compensation.
Q: What Happens to the Dog After It Bites Someone in Brighton?
A: If the dog that bit you is determined to be dangerous, the owner will be required to register the dog in a dangerous dog directory. They will also likely be issued strict rules for managing the dog and preventing future attacks. If the authorities believe a dog to be unreasonably dangerous or pose a health and safety risk due to a communicable disease, a judge may order the dog to be euthanized.
Q: Why Do I Need an Attorney for a Dog Bite Claim?
A: You technically have the right to file a personal injury claim in Brighton, CO, on your own, but you would be forced to contend with strict procedural rules and would risk settling for less than you can legally claim for your damages. Hiring an experienced Brighton dog bite attorney would mean that you can focus on your recovery while your attorney manages your legal affairs. You are more likely to win your case and more likely to maximize your recovery if you have legal counsel you can trust on your side.
Q: What Will It Cost to Hire a Brighton Dog Bite Attorney?
A: It’s understandable to be worried about the potential cost of hiring legal counsel when you are already struggling with the economic effects of a dog attack. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal is prepared to provide the legal counsel you need without adding to your economic strain with our contingency fee billing system. Under a contingency agreement, you will only pay your attorney a portion of the compensation they recover for your damages, and you only pay if and when you win your case.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has successfully helped many past clients with all types of complex personal injury cases in Brighton, including those pertaining to dog attacks. We know how damaging and traumatic these incidents can be and the many questions a victim is likely to have in the aftermath of such an experience. If you are ready to explore your options for legal recourse after a dog attack, contact the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal to schedule your free consultation with a Brighton dog bite attorney.