Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs are widely loved pets, and many people have positive interactions with dogs on a regular basis in the Colorado Springs area. However, it’s important to know what you can do if someone else’s dog bites or otherwise injures you. Dogs may attack unexpectedly, even if they have never previously shown signs of aggression. If you or a family member recently suffered injuries in a dog attack, a Colorado Springs dog bite attorney is the optimal resource to consult to determine your most viable options for legal recourse.
Helping Dog Bite Victims Recover in Colorado Springs, CO
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of professional experience helping clients with all types of personal injury cases in Colorado Springs, including those arising from dog attacks. Our team takes time to get to know each client, learning their unique needs and concerns as we help them navigate their cases with confidence. You have a limited time in which to pursue compensation for your damages, and the sooner you consult with our team, the more time we have to build a compelling case for you.
Understanding Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws
Colorado is a strict liability state when it comes to dog attacks. This means that a dog owner is strictly liable for all damages their pet causes to someone else, regardless of whether the dog has a known history of aggression. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Strict liability does not apply to police K9 units and military service dogs performing their duties. The strict liability rule also does not apply to intruders or trespassers on private property. To establish strict liability, the victim must prove that they were legally present at the location where the attack occurred. Finally, the victim must not have acted aggressively toward the dog’s owner or abused the dog, causing it to bite defensively.
If you believe that strict liability applies to your recent dog attack, you should consult a Colorado Springs dog bite attorney as soon as possible after the incident. Your attorney can assist you in gathering any evidence you may need to support your case and hold the dog owner liable for the damage their pet has caused. Your attorney can also help accurately assess the full extent of the damages you can seek from the defendant in your personal injury case. Bear in mind that if you are found partially liable for your damages, the state’s modified comparative fault rule dictates that you will lose a percentage of your final case award to reflect your shared liability.
Potential Injuries From Dog Attacks in Colorado Springs, CO
When most people think of dog attacks they imagine biting-related injuries. However, this is just one possibility. If a large dog attacks a person, they could knock them to the ground and inflict traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and damage to internal organs. If a dog bites and thrashes, they can potentially cause deep lacerations, joint dislocation, and traumatic puncture wounds that may cause severe bleeding. The experience of a dog attack is also highly traumatic, and many people who suffer such attacks deal with psychological disruption after initial recovery, including anxiety around dogs or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Claiming Compensation for a Dog Attack in Colorado Springs, CO
After your Colorado Springs dog bite attorney has helped you establish strict liability, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your damages. The state’s personal injury laws allow you to claim compensation for any financial losses resulting from the incident, such as the cost of the medical care you need to fully recover, as well as income you are unable to earn due to the severity of your injuries. If the dog caused damage to your personal property, you could claim compensation for these losses as well.
It’s important to remember you can claim compensation for projected future losses as well. For example, the victim of a dog attack may not only require extensive immediate care but also long-term rehabilitative treatment for them to recover as fully as possible. The defendant is liable for all medical treatment costs arising from the attack, and the same applies to lost income. If you have been permanently disabled and will not be able to return to work due to the severity of your injuries, the defendant is liable for the income you are unable to earn in the future.
Finally, a plaintiff has the right to claim pain and suffering compensation. This is meant to reflect the physical pain and psychological suffering they endured in the incident. Unfortunately, the law limits how much the plaintiff can claim in pain and suffering compensation, even if they suffered permanent harm in the incident. Your Colorado Springs dog bite attorney can help determine a reasonable amount to reflect the severity of your experience, potentially helping you maximize this aspect of your recovery.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has earned a reputation as a leading choice for personal injury counsel in Colorado Springs and surrounding communities because of our firm’s dedication to providing compassionate, client-focused legal counsel. We will take time to thoroughly investigate your experience and help identify every avenue of compensation available from the owner of the dog that attacked you. The sooner you reach out to our firm, the sooner we can start building your case.
FAQs About Colorado Springs Dog Bite Laws
What Happens to a Dog After It Bites Someone in Colorado Springs?
The authorities may seize a dog after it has bitten and injured someone to ensure it does not carry infectious diseases or have an excessively aggressive temperament. After a dog has bitten someone, it is typically released back to the owner, and the owner will need to follow specific rules for proper handling of the dog. Failure to follow such rules could lead to criminal penalties if the dog bites another person in the future. If a judge determines the dog to be excessively dangerous, they may order the dog to be euthanized.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Dog Bite?
A dog bite claim is a type of personal injury claim, and the damages available in a personal injury case depend on the severity of the victim’s damages. The state’s personal injury statutes enable the plaintiff to seek recompense for direct financial losses caused by the defendant, such as medical treatment costs, lost income, and property damage. They may also claim compensation for anticipated future economic damages like their ongoing treatment expenses and lost earning capacity if they were permanently harmed by the incident. The plaintiff may also seek pain and suffering compensation, but state law limits how much they can claim.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney?
Although hiring legal counsel may not be strictly required, doing so will dramatically improve your chances of success with a personal injury claim. Legal counsel also makes handling your case proceedings easier as your attorney can manage your case while you focus on recovery. Additionally, a seasoned attorney will know every avenue of compensation available to you, potentially helping you recover much more compensation than you would have known to claim if you tried to handle your case on your own.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Colorado Springs?
There is a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in the state, and this time limit starts on the date an injury occurs. Failure to file your claim with the court within the statute of limitations means losing your chance to claim compensation from the defendant who injured you. While two years might sound like more than enough time, the reality is that it will likely take longer than you may expect to compile the elements of your case and uncover all your claimable damages, so it is ideal to consult a Colorado Springs dog bite attorney as soon as you can.
What Will It Cost to Hire a Colorado Springs Dog Bite Attorney?
The team at the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal accepts personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you are not required to pay any upfront or ongoing legal fees for our firm’s representation. Instead, we will take a percentage of the final case award we recover for you, but only if and when we win your case. If our team is unable to obtain compensation for your damages, you pay nothing in legal fees. This ensures there is no financial risk to you in choosing our firm to represent your case.
An experienced Colorado Springs dog bite attorney is an invaluable asset for this type of personal injury claim. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of professional experience helping our clients navigate their personal injury claims, and we know how traumatic and damaging your experience likely has been. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Colorado Springs dog bite attorney you can trust with your case.