Know Your Rights in Colorado: Can You File a Dog Bite Injury Claim?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Can you file a dog bite injury claim? Yes!
- Colorado operates under strict laws when it comes to dog bite cases.
- If you’re an injured victim in the state of Colorado, you can recover damages from the dog’s owners.
- In the state of Colorado, dogs are seen as “property”, which means you can file a claim with the owner’s home insurance, renter’s insurance, commercial insurance, or another form of property insurance.
Colorado residents love their furry companions. But accidents can happen at any time. Dogs can lash out when you least expect it, leaving the bite victim with some serious injuries and medical bills. If you or a loved one has experienced a dog bite or animal attack, then you need to know your rights!
That brings us to the burning question: can you file a dog bite injury claim? We’re going to be answering this question in today’s blog post!
Can You File a Dog Bite Injury Claim? Yes, You Can!
Colorado’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Colorado operates under strict liability dog bite laws. This means that as an injured victim, you can recover damages from the dog’s owner, regardless of their negligence or knowledge of the dog’s aggressiveness or propensity to bite.
But can you file a dog bite injury claim if the dog has never bitten anyone else before? Yes, you still can! Unlike some “one-bite” states, Colorado does not require dog bite victims to prove that the dog had bitten someone previously. This makes it easier for dog bite victims to seek compensation for their injuries.
Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 13-21-124
The dog bite law in Colorado is found in the Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 13-21-124. This statute states that “a person or personal representative of a person who suffers serious bodily injury or death from being bitten by a dog while lawfully on public or private property shall be entitled to bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner regardless of the viciousness or dangerous propensities of the dog or the dog owner’s knowledge or lack of knowledge of the dog’s viciousness or dangerous propensities.”
Your Rights under Colorado Law
What does this mean for you? It means that under Colorado law, as long as you were lawfully on the property where the incident occurred, and the defendant either owned or had lawful control of the dog at the time, you have a dog bite claim against the owner and their insurance. This is true even if the owner was unaware of their dog’s aggressive behavior.
Compensation for Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
Dog bites can result in severe bodily injuries, and victims are entitled to receive compensation for various damages. This may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, scarring, and more. The impact of a dog bite can be long-lasting, and we are here to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Dog Bite Insurance Claims
In Colorado, dogs are considered property, which means that if you are injured by a dog, you can make a claim with the owner’s homeowners’ insurance, renter’s insurance, commercial insurance, or another form of property insurance. Because of this, you can recover damages related to the bite or injury.
Contact Frederick | Ganderton LLP for Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in Colorado, then don’t hesitate to reach out to the dog bite attorneys at Frederick | Ganderton LLP. We specialize in these cases, and we’re here to help you get the compensation and the closure that you deserve! Contact us today to receive your free consultation!
