Douglas County Dog Bite Attorneys
Dogs are popular pets in Douglas County and throughout Colorado, but while most people have enjoyable experiences with dogs, it is also possible for pets to unexpectedly attack and cause serious harm. If you or a family member recently suffered injuries from another person’s dog in Douglas County, this can form the basis of a personal injury claim. You must know your options for legal recourse and what to expect from an attorney if you intend to pursue this type of case.
Experienced Legal Representation for Dog Bite Claims in Douglas County, CO
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases for Douglas County clients, including dog bite claims. We know how traumatic this kind of experience can be and the many questions you are likely to have in the aftermath of such an event. The sooner you reach out to our team for legal counsel, the sooner we can provide the answers and support you need in this challenging situation.
How to File a Dog Bite Claim in Douglas County
The state’s strict liability rule for dog attacks can work in your favor when it comes to establishing liability for your damages. You do not necessarily need to prove that a dog owner was negligent in holding them accountable for damages you suffered when their dog attacked. All you will need to prove for strict liability to apply to your case is that you did not provoke the attack and that you were legally present wherever the attack occurred.
Once you establish strict liability for a dog attack in Douglas County, your attorney can help you proceed with claiming compensation for the damages you suffered. Like any other personal injury claim, a plaintiff in a dog bite case has the right to seek recompense for:
- Medical treatment costs. The defendant is liable for the cost of any medical care you need to fully recover from the injuries their pet inflicted. This includes the cost of future rehabilitative care you may need to reach maximum medical improvement from your injuries.
- Lost wages. If you have been left unable to work after the attack, the dog owner is liable for the income you are unable to earn during your recovery. This applies to lost future income as well if the attack left you permanently disabled.
- Property damage. If the dog also damaged any of your personal property, you could claim associated repair or replacement costs in your personal injury suit.
- Pain and suffering. A personal injury plaintiff in Douglas County can claim financial compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress they suffered in the attack. State law limits the amount they can claim, but a good attorney can help their client get as close to the maximum amount as possible.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal is ready to provide the comprehensive legal counsel you need to approach your dog bite claim with confidence. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so it is crucial that you reach out to a trustworthy Douglas County dog bite attorney as soon as possible to maximize your chances of success with your claim.
Dog Bites Lawyer FAQs
Q: How Do I Claim Compensation for a Dog Bite?
A: If you intend to pursue legal recourse for a dog attack in Douglas County, you must prove that the dog owner is liable for the damages you suffered and then prove the full extent of those damages. Colorado’s strict liability rule can make this easier because the owner of the dog that bit you is fully liable for damages their pet caused, regardless of whether the dog had any history of attacking anyone else in the past.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Dog Bite?
A: State law allows the victim of a dog attack to claim full repayment of all economic losses they suffered in the incident as well as pain and suffering compensation. Your damages are likely to include medical expenses, lost income, and property damage if the dog damaged any of your personal property in the incident. When it comes to pain and suffering, state law limits how much you can claim, but a seasoned Douglas County dog bite attorney can help maximize your pain and suffering compensation.
Q: What Happens to the Dog After It Bites Someone in Douglas County?
A: In most cases, a dog that has bitten someone will be quarantined by the authorities so they can check for infectious diseases and evaluate the dog’s temperament. If the dog is deemed dangerous, it may be conditionally returned to its owner, and the owner will need to comply with strict rules to prevent the dog from attacking anyone else in the future. However, if a judge determines the dog to be excessively aggressive or otherwise dangerous to public health and safety, they may order the dog to be put down.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Douglas County Dog Bite Attorney?
A: It is technically possible to file a dog bite claim without legal counsel, but doing so is inadvisable because you will need to manage your case proceedings and your medical issues all at once, unassisted. Even if you managed to win your case, you may unintentionally accept a smaller settlement than an attorney could have secured for you. Hiring an experienced Douglas County dog bite attorney is the ideal method for increasing your chance of success with your claim and the chance of maximizing your recovery.
Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Douglas County Dog Bite Attorney?
A: The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal accepts personal injury claims on contingency, so there is no risk of paying more in legal fees than you win in compensation for your damages. We take a percentage of the final case award we recover for you, but only if we win your case. If we are unable to secure compensation for your damages, there is no fee at all, eliminating any economic risk of securing the legal representation you need for your case.
An experienced Douglas County dog bite attorney is an invaluable asset for your impending dog bite claim. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has extensive experience handling difficult personal injury cases, and we are ready to leverage this experience for you in a dog bite case. Contact our team today to schedule your consultation with a seasoned Douglas County dog bite attorney you can trust with your claim.