Denver Dog Bite Lawyer

Denver Dog Bite Lawyer: What You Need to Know If You’ve Been Attacked

Getting bitten by a dog can turn your world upside down in an instant. Whether you’re taking a walk around your Denver neighborhood or visiting a friend’s place, a dog bite can cause serious injury and lasting emotional distress. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone—and you do have legal options. A Denver dog bite lawyer can help you navigate Colorado’s unique laws, protect your rights, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Let’s break down what you need to know, step by step.

Colorado Dog Bite Laws: What Makes Them Different?

Colorado has a strict liability dog bite statute. That means a dog owner can be held responsible for damages even if their dog had never shown signs of aggression before. Whether the bite occurred on public or private property, the law often sides with the victim—especially when serious bodily injury is involved.

Under Colorado dog bite law, a dog owner may be held liable if:

• The victim had express or implied invitation to be on the property
• The bite caused serious injury or permanent disfigurement
• The incident involved a dangerous dog or aggressive dog breed
• The owner failed to use reasonable care or knowingly ignored the dog’s history

These laws apply across Colorado, including Denver, and don’t require the dog to have a history of violence. In short, strict liability applies, and the dog’s dangerous behavior doesn’t need to be proven in court—just that a bite occurred.

When Is a Dog Owner Legally Responsible?

Dog bite cases hinge on more than just the bite itself. Colorado law focuses heavily on the circumstances, especially if the dog owner acted negligently.

Scenarios where dog owners can be held liable include:

• Letting a dog roam off-leash in a public area
• Failing to warn guests about a known dangerous dog
• Ignoring leash laws
• Not securing a dog in a fenced yard on private property

Even pet owners and dog handlers who believe their animal is well-behaved must follow regulations to protect others. If a dog bites someone who had every right to be where they were—like a mail carrier or guest—liability is likely to fall on the owner.

A core element in many cases is proving dog owner’s negligence. Whether the Colorado dog owner ignored city leash ordinances or failed to warn others of a dog’s past behavior, that negligence can make them legally and financially responsible for damages.

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These guys are consummate professionals. As a transactional attorney who frequently receives requests from clients and prospects for injury lawyers, I always trust Joe Caputo—he is my go-to referral and consistently delivers for his clients. And as effective as they are as counsel, Caputo and Williams are even better people. Compassionate and trustworthy… You want these two advocating on your behalf when it counts.

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Common Injuries in Dog Bite Incidents

Dog bite injuries aren’t just surface-level cuts. Many dog attack victims suffer from:

• Torn muscles and tendons
• Deep puncture wounds
• Nerve damage
• Infections like rabies or sepsis
• Permanent disfigurement
• Emotional distress or post-traumatic stress
• Scarring that leads to long-term mental and physical pain

Some of the most severe injuries can require multiple surgeries and months of recovery. Victims may also experience mobility issues, social anxiety, and chronic pain.

Medical bills can quickly pile up, especially when treatment involves surgeries or mental health therapy. Victims often struggle with both financial strain and the emotional toll of being attacked by an unfamiliar dog.

Statistics from organizations like the American Medical Association and National Safety Council show just how common—and dangerous—these incidents can be.

What to Do Right After a Dog Bite in Denver

If you or a loved one has been bitten, your next steps are critical. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Get immediate medical attention—even small bites can become infected.
2. Report the dog bite to Denver Animal Protection or local law enforcement.
3. Take photos of your injuries and the location where the bite occurred.
4. Identify the dog and its owner, if possible.
5. Contact a Denver dog bite attorney to start building your case.

The earlier you take action, the easier it will be to preserve evidence and protect your right to seek compensation through a dog bite claim.

“We get to represent people who oftentimes don’t have the ability to advocate for themselves against the ‘big bad wolf,’  and there isn’t a day that starts where I’m not looking forward to helping those people fight back.”

Joe Caputo

Founding Attorney

Why Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?

Trying to handle a dog bite lawsuit on your own can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with an insurance company that’s more focused on minimizing payouts than helping you recover.

A dedicated dog bite lawyer will:

• Investigate the incident
• Handle negotiations with the insurance company
• Calculate total damages (medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress)
• File your personal injury claim or personal injury lawsuit
• Represent you in court if needed

Whether the attack occurred on public or private property, your legal team will make sure your voice is heard and that your injury claim is taken seriously.

Many of these cases fall under the umbrella of personal injury cases, where victims seek damages due to another party’s negligence. Dog bite incidents are a specific area that qualified law firms are well-equipped to handle.

Liability Beyond the Dog Owner

While the dog owner is usually the first person named in a dog bite lawsuit, they’re not always the only one responsible. Depending on where and how the incident happened, other parties may include:

• Landlords who allowed dangerous dogs on rental properties
• Property managers who ignored safety complaints
• Dog handlers or dog walkers who failed to maintain control

This brings premises liability into the picture. If the attack happened on someone else’s property—such as an apartment complex, store, or office—those who had a legal duty to ensure safety might also be held accountable.

In many dog bite injury cases, proving who had control over the dog at the time of the attack is just as important as the bite itself.

Timelines and Legal Deadlines

Colorado law gives dog bite victims two years to file a personal injury claim. That might seem like plenty of time, but building a strong case can take months. Waiting too long could result in lost evidence, unreliable witness memories, or denial of your dog bite injury case altogether.

It’s best to contact a Denver dog bite lawyer right away so they can begin collecting evidence, reviewing your medical bills, and preparing for a strong legal filing.

A trusted law firm with experience in dog bite cases can handle the legal work while you focus on healing.

How Is Compensation Calculated?

Every dog bite case is different, but most victims are eligible to recover:

• Medical expenses and future medical treatment
• Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
• Costs of physical therapy or plastic surgery
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of quality of life

Your attorney will work with you to calculate what fair compensation looks like for your specific case. Whether you’re pursuing an insurance claim or a court judgment, the goal is always full and fair compensation for what you’ve endured.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a dog attack, don’t try to figure it all out alone. Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers has helped countless dog bite victims throughout Colorado and understands how devastating these incidents can be.

Our experienced legal team knows the Colorado dog bite statute inside and out. Whether your injury happened in a public park, someone’s backyard, or even your apartment complex, we’ll stand up for your rights. We’ve handled everything from serious bodily injury claims to dog attacks involving aggressive dog breeds.

Contact them today to schedule a free consultation and get clarity on your legal options. You deserve peace of mind—and we’re here to help you get it.

Visit Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers now to talk to a Denver dog bite lawyer who’s ready to fight for you.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

David Z.

These guys are consummate professionals. As a transactional attorney who frequently receives requests from clients and prospects for injury lawyers, I always trust Joe Caputo—he is my go-to referral and consistently delivers for his clients. And as effective as they are as counsel, Caputo and Williams are even better people. Compassionate and trustworthy… You want these two advocating on your behalf when it counts.

Lyndsey P.

If you are looking for the best personal injury attorneys, Joe and Burgess are it. Their knowledge and experience with different types of cases mean they can help you and get you the best results from your case. I worked with them and saw day in and day out all they did to help their clients. While they are smart and know what they are doing, they are kind and good people who truly care. You are getting the best of the best when you hire Joe and Burgess.

Kate H.

Joe and Burgess are amazing attorneys. Their expertise, dedication to their clients, and commitment to excellence is second to none. They sincerely care about their clients and always put their clients wellbeing first and they are just overall great people to work with. You can’t go wrong with these skilled litigators in your corner.

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