Dogs may be known as man’s best friend, but not all dogs are harmless. Sadly, some dogs with aggression or behavioral problems attack unsuspecting people. Even dogs that seem perfectly nice may bite someone without warning. In either case, severe injury or death may result.
If you or your child has been bitten by someone else’s dog, you have rights. Our Denver dog bite lawyers understand the long-term effects of animal attacks, such as lifelong physical and mental trauma. In our more than 40 years of practice, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients, helping them heal and move forward after suffering serious dog bite injuries.
At Klenofsky & Steward, LLC, clients continue to choose us because:
- We are available to take your call 24/7
- We have over 40 years of experience
- Our track record comprises millions of dollars in compensation
- Our legal representation is comprehensive and effective
- We provide honest yet compassionate counsel
- There are no fees unless we win your case
We always put our clients first. If you can’t make it into the office because of your injury, we are happy to offer a free, in-home consultation for your convenience. Work with a legal team committed to your recovery; reach out to Klenofsky & Steward, LLC for help today!
Contact a Denver dog bite lawyer onlineto get started with your free consultation.
A one-bite rule is when a dog owner can only be held liable if their dog has bitten someone before. Essentially, the one-bite rule gives dogs a free pass for their first bite/attack.
The state of Colorado does not have a strict one-bite rule anymore. This means a dog owner can be held responsible for a dog bite regardless of whether they should have known the dog would bite/attack the victim.
However, if this is the dog’s first bite/attack, then the victim will only be entitled to economic damages (medical bills and other financial losses). If the dog has a history of biting/attacking people, then the victim may also be compensated for their non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and other mental/emotional losses.
In Denver and throughout the state, owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs. We established that if a dog bites or attacks you, then you may sue the dog owner for compensation. There are two routes to this compensation: through a strict liability claim or through a negligence claim.
According to Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-124, dog owners are strictly liable if:
- The dog causes severe injury or death; and
- The victim was a lawful guest or visitor on public or private property.
This means that if a dog bites and injures you, and you aren’t trespassing, the dog owner will be strictly liable for your losses.
In short, a strict liability claim is typically only filed when serious or fatal injury results. These claims may also be filed in cases concerning permanent scarring and disfigurement, as well as long-term disability.
Negligence claims are reserved for cases in which the dog bite injury was not severe enough to warrant a strict liability claim.
Further, these claims are only filed when a dog bite was allowed to take place because of the owner’s negligent actions. In these cases, victims must prove that the dog owner had a duty of care to them, negligently violated it, and the violation led to the bite. An example would be if someone was walking their dog without a leash right before the attack.
A dog bite lawsuit is worth the exact amount of damages you have suffered because of the attack. This may include:
- Surgeries
- Hospital treatment
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning power
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
If an animal attack resulted in a wrongful death, such as of a child, the person’s surviving loved ones may be able to recover compensation for their tragic loss. Many bereaved families may also be compensated for funeral or burial expenses, as well as any damages suffered by the decedent from the time of the animal attack up until their death.
As mentioned, the dog’s history will impact whether you can recover both economic and non-economic damages or only the former.
At Klenofsky & Steward, LLC, we want to make sure you have access to the medical care you need. We also want to help you find peace of mind knowing that others will not be hurt by the same dog. When you choose to work with us, we won’t rest in our fight for your rights. Let our team fight tirelessly and aggressively for you.
We’re here to take your call 24/7—call 720-780-0672 to speak to a Denver dog bite attorney.
