Fort Collins Dog Bite Lawyer

Fort Collins Dog Bite Lawyer – What You Need to Know After a Dog Attack

Dog bites can happen quickly and without warning, leaving behind more than just physical scars. In Fort Collins, these incidents are far from rare. Whether it’s a herding dog off-leash or a pet on private property, victims often suffer serious injury that can disrupt every aspect of life. If you’ve been bitten, a Fort Collins dog bite lawyer can help you navigate what comes next.

At Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers, you’ll find a legal team experienced in handling everything from medical treatment coordination to negotiating with the insurance company. Understanding your rights matters—especially when you’re dealing with emotional trauma, mounting medical bills, or permanent disability.

Common Injuries Caused by Dog Attacks

Dog bite injuries vary widely, but many result in long-term consequences. Common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations
• Broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injuries from being knocked down
• Emotional trauma and anxiety

Some dog bite victims develop infections or complications requiring extensive medical treatment. In severe cases, injuries may result in permanent disability or disfigurement. These types of bodily injury often require a personal injury attorney to ensure all damages are covered in a personal injury claim.

How Colorado Law Addresses Dog Bite Cases

Colorado law applies strict liability to dog bites in many situations. That means the dog owner can be held responsible even if the dog’s behavior hadn’t shown signs of aggression before. Strict liability applies when the victim was lawfully on public or private property and suffered serious injury from the bite.

Under Colorado Court Rules, dog owners are expected to exercise reasonable care. Failing to do so—whether through negligent supervision or ignoring public safety concerns—opens them up to a legal claim. Even if the dog was performing military or service tasks, there are limits to those protections.

What To Do Right After a Dog Bite Occurs

The steps you take immediately after a dog attack can affect your ability to seek compensation. Here’s what to do:

1. Get medical treatment right away.
2. Report the bite to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
3. Document everything—including where the bite occurred and the dog’s behavior.
4. Take photos of injuries and the scene.
5. Save all medical expenses and track lost income.

Reporting the incident also helps the Colorado Department of Public Safety with disease control, especially if the dog hasn’t been vaccinated.

“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

Determining Liability in a Dog Bite Case

Establishing who the responsible party is in a dog bite case takes a close look at where the bite occurred, the circumstances, and whether the dog had been classified as an attractive nuisance. Your attorney will examine all negligent parties involved and determine who should be held liable.

Negligent parties liable could include pet owners, property managers, or others who failed to exercise reasonable care. Legal claims focus on proving that substantial risk existed and that injuries could have been prevented.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?

Dog bite victims may face a wide range of expenses. With help from a Fort Collins dog bite lawyer, you can pursue maximum compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages and lost income
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Emotional trauma and pain
• Non economic damages like anxiety or fear
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

These damages support financial recovery and help accident victims regain a sense of control after a traumatic event.

Why You Need an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer

Trying to handle a dog bite claim on your own means facing the insurance company without support. An experienced dog bite lawyer understands how to manage the entire process—from collecting evidence to pushing back against lowball settlement offers.

Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers offer top notch legal representation tailored to the unique aspects of every dog bite case. With a strong track record in Fort Collins personal injury cases, they know how to pursue compensation effectively.

How Dog Bite Cases Differ From Car Accidents

Unlike a car accident, a dog bite case often involves proving that strict liability applies. The medical evidence may also differ, especially with less visible injuries like nerve damage or emotional trauma.

While both are considered personal injury claims, the evidence required, the parties involved, and even the timelines may vary. That’s why working with experienced personal injury attorneys who understand the nuances of a Colorado dog bite is so important.

Understanding Property Rules and Liability

Where the bite occurred—on public property, private property, or somewhere in between—can influence who’s held responsible. A dog attack on private property may involve a homeowner, while bites on public property could bring in municipal liability concerns.

Even working or herding dogs must follow Colorado law when it comes to interacting with the public. If the dog was performing military tasks at the time, special rules may apply, but that doesn’t mean victims are left without options.

The Williams Caputo Difference

Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers serve dog bite victims through their Fort Collins office with compassion, experience, and results. They’ve helped clients recover from catastrophic injuries, secure fair compensation, and hold negligent parties accountable.

With a focus on personalized service and real case results, they’ve become a trusted name in Fort Collins dog bite cases.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Colorado sets a time limit on when you can file a personal injury case. Waiting too long could mean losing your right to recover financial compensation.

An experienced personal injury attorney from Williams Caputo will make sure your legal claim is filed on time, with all the documentation necessary to support it.

Why You Shouldn’t Deal With the Insurance Company Alone

After a dog bite injury, the insurance company may reach out quickly with a settlement offer. But accepting without legal guidance can cost you.

Your attorney handles all phone calls, paperwork, and negotiations, protecting you from tactics designed to reduce your payout.

Do Minor Injuries Still Require Legal Help?

Even if your injuries seem minor, they can worsen over time or lead to complications like infections or scarring. The American Medical Association and National Safety Council both warn about underestimating injury impact.

Organizations focused on Injury Prevention stress the importance of early documentation and legal guidance—even for what appears to be a mild dog bite injury.

Contact Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you’ve suffered a dog bite in Fort Collins, don’t wait. You could be entitled to financial recovery for everything from medical expenses to lost wages.

Williams Caputo Injury Lawyers offer a free consultation to help you understand your rights and build a strong case. Contact them today to get started.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified dog bite injury attorney regarding your specific case.

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.

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp