Dog Bite Injury Attorney in Fort Collins
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Fort Collins, Colorado, you could be entitled to compensation for your bite-related expenses and losses. Dogs can cause serious harm when they attack, and even small dogs can cause serious injuries, depending on the dog bite victim’s age and size.
When a dog bites you, you deserve compensation for your medical bills and related losses. At The Wilhite Law Firm, a Fort Collins dog bite lawyer can help you pursue the money you need. Contact us today for more information.
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in Fort Collins?
The Colorado dog bite law states a dog’s owner is strictly liable when their dog harms or kills someone. In some states, a dog’s owner must have known their dog had the capacity for viciousness to be liable for injuries their dog causes. That’s not the case in Colorado.
In Colorado dog bite cases, it’s not uncommon for a dog’s owner to be automatically liable for dog bite injuries. If the victim was lawfully on public or private property at the time of the attack, didn’t provoke the dog, and there were no “no trespassing” or “beware of dog” signs posted, the dog’s owner can be held liable. Our Fort Collins dog bite injury attorney can help.
What Are Common Injuries from Dog Bites?
Bodily injury resulting from dog attacks can take many forms.
Common examples of injuries dog bite victims suffer include:
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Hand and arm injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputated fingers or toes
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Diseases or infections like rabies
- Emotional and psychological injuries
Never assume you’re uninjured after a dog attack. The fact that you don’t notice any major signs of injury doesn’t mean you’re unharmed. For example, even a seemingly “minor” dog bite can become serious if it gets infected. Err on the side of caution and always seek medical treatment after a dog attack. Contact our Fort Collins dog bite lawyer today.
What Are Signs That Show a Dog May Be Prone to Attack?
The ASPCA recommends familiarizing yourself with signs of aggression in dogs. Potential warning signs indicating a dog may be ready to attack include:
- Rigidity or stillness, as if the dog is “on edge” or ready to pounce
- A deep, guttural bark
- Lunging at a person but not physically contacting them
- “Punching” or pushing someone with their mouth, nose, or both
- Growling and/or baring teeth
- Snarling
- Nipping or biting at a person
Keep your distance from any dog exhibiting these warning signs. Pet owners who spot these signs should move their pets to locations where they cannot harm others.
Are Some Dog Breeds More Likely to Bite Than Others?
Knowing what types of breeds are more aggressive than others is another way to potentially guard against dog attacks. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, the ten most dangerous dog breeds include:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Mixed Breed
- German Shepherd
- Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Dalmatian
- Pointer
- Great Dane
- Pekingese
- Spitz
This isn’t to suggest that all dogs of these breeds are likely to cause harm. Individual dog behaviors can vary within a breed. Factors like a breed’s average size can contribute to how dangerous a dog may be.
Can the Dog’s Owner Be Held Liable for My Dog Bite Injuries?
Typically, yes. Under Colorado’s dog bite law, you don’t need to prove the owner’s prior knowledge of a dog’s viciousness to hold them liable. In Colorado, a dog’s owner is liable for dog bite injuries the first time their dog harms someone in most cases.
However, you would have to prove the dog’s owner was negligent if you were injured in any of the following situations:
- You were unlawfully on public or private property when the attack occurred.
- You were on the dog’s owner’s property and were bitten because you ignored clear signage warning you of the presence of a dangerous dog.
- The dog that bit you was performing military or peace officer duties while under the control of a peace officer or a member of the military.
- The dog bit you because you knowingly provoked it.
- The victim of a dog attack is a veterinary worker or other worker whose job involves working with dogs, and the bite occurred while the worker was performing their job duties.
- At the time of the attack, the dog was serving as a hunting dog, herding dog, farm/ranch dog, or predator/control dog, and the dog’s owner had the dog under their control while on their property.
Examples like these highlight the need to work with an experienced dog bite lawyer who can explain how the law applies to your case and guide you through the legal process.
Can I Be Compensated for My Fort Collins Dog Bite Injuries?
If you can hold the dog owner accountable, you can be compensated for your injuries. Dog bite injuries will require medical treatment. You may be required to miss work while you’re healing. You can pursue compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages.
You can also claim money for your subjective losses, such as pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit in Colorado?
You have two years from the date of a dog attack to file a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado. Failure to sue by the deadline may result in waiving your right to pursue compensation in court.
Contact a Fort Collins Dog Bite Lawyer
Pursuing compensation for dog bite injuries isn’t a task you should handle on your own. While you heal from your injuries, a Fort Collins dog bite lawyer with our team at The Wilhite Law Firm can handle your claim. Get started today by calling or contacting our Fort Collins personal injury attorney online for a free case review.
