When you are dealing with an animal, you never know what might happen, and even Man’s Best Friend can be prone to bite the hand that feeds it at times. When someone is bitten by their pet or someone else’s pet, it is rarely intended, but it can have a lasting impact on the person who has been bitten and the owner of the dog. If you have been bitten by a dog and it could have been avoided, you may have grounds for a personal injury case and an experienced attorney, like Arckey & Steele in Denver, CO, may be able to help. Arckey & Steele is a boutique personal injury law firm in the Denver area that is dedicated to providing you with compassionate and knowledgeable legal support in the event of a personal injury.
There are many personal injury attorneys you will find that are “settlement mills” and only interested in quick settlements. Arckey & Steele takes a boutique approach that allows us to dedicate more time and resources to our clients to secure maximum compensation and damages for Denver-area residents who have dealt with an accident or injury. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and find a resolution to your personal injury case.
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When you have been bitten by a dog and it could have been prevented or the incident was due to negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury case. The hybrid legal approach employed by the Colorado court system can be difficult to navigate — but not with the help of the Arckey & Steele legal team. With a personal injury attorney on your side, you can receive the economic and non-economic damages you deserve that can include financial compensation for medical bills, repayment for lost wages, and compensation for emotional distress.
When you are involved in a personal injury case, you may find yourself in need of an attorney that understands the legal ins and outs of dog bites — but there are those law firms that are more interested in a quick financial settlement rather than your own interests. Arckey & Steele is dedicated to providing clients with hands-on legal support to help you navigate the legal process and statute of limitations of your personal injury case and help determine liability.
Representation for Dog Bite Injuries in Colorado
Types of Denver Dog Bite Injury Claims We Handle
Arckey & Steele provides personalized legal strategies that are tailored to the type of accident or injury you have endured and that are used to help you see a positive outcome in your case.
Strict Liability Dog Bite Claims
A strict liability dog bite claim is the most common legal claim when there is a severe injury. Colorado statute (§ 13-21-124) states that if a dog bite results in a serious injury or death, the owner of the dog is automatically liable. With legal claims that fall into this category, your legal team does not need to prove that the owner was careless or the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. Personal injury claims with this type of injury tend to focus on economic damages.
Negligence Dog Bite Injury Claims
When you have sustained a dog bite injury that is not considered serious, you may still be able to file a negligent dog bite injury claim with the Colorado court system. These legal claims involve injuries that are less serious — like puncture wounds that do not result in a fracture — and require proof that the dog’s owners did not take “reasonable care” to prevent the incident or that the owner should have known the dog was dangerous. Legal cases that involve negligence allow claimants to pursue non-economic damages and compensation.
Leash Law Violation Injury Claims
Denver has strict city ordinances for dog owners with a city-wide leash law that has been put in place to prevent dog bite injuries due to negligence. When a dog owner breaks this city-wide ordinance, they are defined as “negligent per se”. This simplifies the legal claim, in that the violation of the city-wide leash law proves negligence in your case and allows you and your legal team to pursue legal compensation.
Critical Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Injury in Denver
What do you need to do after you are bitten by a dog? A dog bite — however minor it may be — can be a traumatic experience, and it is important you take the correct steps to protect your legal rights and your best interests in Denver, CO. What you do in the moments following a dog bite incident can help build the legal foundation for a successful personal injury case.
1Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your health is a priority when you have been bitten by a dog and medical documentation that takes place immediately after an incident will serve as the foundation for any legal claim. The first steps to take after a dog bite incident are to clean the wound and seek immediate medical care to ensure there is no infection — and medical records and documents following the incident can help determine if the injury is “serious” or superficial for compensation purposes.
2Report the Dog Bite Injury Incident
When you have been bitten by a dog in Denver, you have a legal responsibility to report the incident (Colorado § 25-4-60). The dog bite must be reported within 12 hours of the incident and can be reported online or via phone. When the incident is reported, the dog will be quarantined for 10 days while a report is created.
3Collect Evidence for Your Claim
When you have been involved in a dog bite incident, it is important that you collect evidence to support your legal claim. It is important to document the owner’s name, address, and contact information, identify the dog (breed, name, color, size, and if the dog is wearing a collar and leash), take photos of the injury, dog, and area, and collect witness statements for anyone who may have seen or heard the incident.
4Document Your Medical Treatment
The legal process in any personal injury claim can take time — weeks or months — and it is important that you keep a clear record of your medical treatment after the incident that can help our legal team argue your case. Track your medical treatment for the dog bite, your daily pain levels, ongoing medical bills, additional medical expenses, a log of missed work days, and any emotional stress or trauma that stems from the incident.
5Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney
It can be difficult to navigate the legal process when you are involved in a dog bite incident — and a personal injury attorney can help. A personal injury attorney can help you determine what type of dog bite injury claim to file with the Denver court system and help you collect the right evidence you need to support your claim.
Maximize your recovery
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in Denver
When you have been involved in an accident or a dog bite incident, you will be contacted by insurance adjusters that will attempt to put a financial value on your injuries. Your compensation in a personal injury case is intended to return you to the same financial and physical state you were in prior to the incident and is separated into a pair of primary categories — economic and non-economic damages. Arckey & Steele maintains a smaller caseload than many other personal injury law firms in an effort to provide you with personalized legal support and to better help you receive the care and compensation you deserve.
Economic DamagesMedical bills can add up when you are injured and need to go to the emergency room — and when you miss work due to an injury, it results in lost wages. These “out-of-pocket” financial losses and expenses that are a direct result of an injury are considered economic damages. When a dog bite incident results in major or catastrophic injuries, you and your legal team may need to consult with experts and life-care planners that can help calculate “lost earning capacity” for long-term medical expenses.
Non-Economic DamagesWhile medical bills and lost wages are the primary focus when you are involved in a dog bite incident — it is important not to discount the human cost of a traumatic incident. Non-economic damages can include long-term physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These non-economic damages are typically only a factor when the incident is due to owner negligence and are capped by Colorado law.
Factors That Affect Claim ValueA dog bite incident can contribute to long-term physical disability or impairment and disfigurement that go beyond economic and non-economic damages. Nerve damage, loss of mobility, and deep scarring are key examples of dog bite injuries that fall into this category of damages. In many cases — physical impairment and disfigurement are not subject to the same compensation caps as non-economic damages.
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How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Colorado?
Dog bite injury incidents are governed by Colorado personal injury laws and have a two year statute of limitations under (C.R.S. § 13-80-102). Legal claims have a ‘drop-dead” date marked by the second anniversary of the incident and if a claim is not filed by this time, the case will most likely be dismissed. Many individuals make the mistake of assuming that active negotiations with an insurance company pause the legal timeline — they do not — making it important to file a claim early and protect your legal rights.
There are exceptions to the rule for dog bite injuries. Legal claims that include a government agency or the negligence of a city employee — like a police K9 unit — have a shorter statute of limitations. The Colorado Government Immunity Act (CGIA) states that a Notice of Claim must be filed within 182 days of the injury and failure to do so bars you from filing a lawsuit. When a child is the one bitten, the two year legal window for a lawsuit does not start until the child becomes 18.
Our Process
What to Expect When Starting a Dog Bite Injury Claim with Us
Each and every personal injury case is different with different circumstances, and yet they still follow the same general legal process. Here’s a closer look at what the process often looks like for our Denver clients at Arckey & Steele.
1Investigate and Evaluate the Incident
The first step in the legal process is to investigate and evaluate the incident. This is the point where our Arckey & Steele legal team will perform a liability assessment to determine negligence based on the evidence and supporting documents of the case. We will help gather relevant information, including veterinary records for the dog and insurance information.
2Evaluate and Document Medical Treatment
A clear record of medical treatment is critical to any legal claim. It is important to document your medical care until you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) where your medical condition has healed as much as it can. With this phase of the process, it is important to record, document, and save all medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and a record of missed work days for economic damages.
3Negotiate a Settlement
The next step in the legal process may be the most important and may be where you will benefit from legal support the most. Many personal injury cases — including dog bite incidents — are resolved via negotiation with your insurance provider. Your personal injury attorney will submit a Demand Letter to the insurance company that details the attack, your injuries, liability, and a list of compensation requirements.
4Litigation, If Necessary
In the event that negotiations do not lead to a positive outcome in your case, the Arckey & Steele legal team will file a formal complaint with the Denver court system. This can involve litigation in the courtroom if necessary or mediation with a neutral third party — and Arckey & Steele will be there to protect your best interests and legal rights.
Critical Selection Factors
Choosing a Denver Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
The right legal counsel and support can make the difference in a dog bite injury claim — and Arckey & Steele has the experience, knowledge, and skill to help you see a positive outcome in your case. When you have been involved in an accident or dog bite incident, it can be a challenge to negotiate and deal with insurance companies who are trained to use your statements against you and minimize your physical and emotional distress. An experienced personal injury attorney will act as your advocate and support network in and out of the courtroom, prove liability in your case, and help you garner the full amount of damages that you deserve.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Arckey & Steele for Your Dog Bite Injury Case in Denver
Our goal is simple: do fewer cases, and do them exceptionally well.
Small caseloads, focused attention
We intentionally limit the number of cases so each client receives the time, focus, and resources their matter deserves.
Direct access to your attorney
When you contact our firm, you work directly with the lawyer handling your case.
Proven track record
Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a track record of results in serious injury and litigation-focused cases.
Meet Our Team
Our Trusted Denver Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
When you hire Arckey & Steele, you work directly with experienced attorneys who are personally invested in your case.
Founder & PartnerEric S. Steele
Tackles cases involving personal injury, business, and employment matters. Eric has significant experience securing meaningful recoveries for injured clients.
Brings over four decades of litigation experience and a strategic approach shaped by years of representing individuals and businesses, often in the courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Injuries
No. Colorado has strict liability laws for dog bite incidents that involve serious injury or worse. Dog owners do not get an exemption if it is the first time their dog has bitten someone or shown aggressive behavior. This law puts the responsibility and liability on the dog owner in Colorado.
When you are involved in a dog bite incident, “Serious Bodily Injury” is a key phrase in any legal claim that has a significant impact on compensation. According to Colorado law (Statute § 13-21-124) a serious injury involves risk of death or disfigurement, broken bones, the loss or long-term impairment of a part of your body, and injuries that require more than 10 stitches.
Yes. You are legally required to report a dog bite injury or incident within 12 hours of the event. Dog bites must be reported to Denver Animal Protection (DAP) — either by calling (720) 913-1311 or by filing a report on the Denver County website. In addition to your legal obligation to report the incident, doctors and medical professionals must report any dog bites they treat.
Colorado employs Modified Comparative Negligence for personal injury cases — which includes dog bite injury cases. This rule states that if you are more than 50% at fault, you are ineligible for compensation and if you are under 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by that same percentage. A prime example in a dog bite case might be if you ignored or didn’t see a “Beware of Dog” sign — which puts some of the fault on you.
Resources
Learn More About Dog Bite Injury Claims
Learn more with our latest insights and blog posts about dog bite injury claims in Colorado.
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Areas We Serve
Representing Dog Bite Injury Victims Across Colorado
No matter where you live in Colorado — from the Mile High City to the Front Range — Arckey & Steele are proud to serve as your personal injury attorneys. We provide clients with compassionate legal support and innate knowledge of the Colorado court system that will help you see a positive outcome for your case.
You shouldn’t have to guess about your legal rights while recovering from a crash. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills or a disputed police report, we’re here to provide the clarity you need. Reach out today for a no-obligation strategy session
