Suffering from a dog bite injury can be physically and emotionally devastating. Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC provides specialized dog bite legal services throughout Denver and the surrounding Colorado areas, ensuring victims receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Why Choose Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC
Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC delivers expert dog bite lawyer services in Denver, Colorado, with a dedicated focus on animal attack cases. Our firm handles complex dog bite claims with a thorough understanding of Colorado’s strict liability statute and local regulations. We combine legal expertise with compassionate advocacy, recognizing the traumatic nature of animal attacks and the lasting impact they have on victims. Our attorneys meticulously investigate each case, establishing liability and documenting all damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With years of experience representing dog bite victims throughout Denver, CO, we have successfully negotiated settlements and litigated cases when necessary to protect our clients’ rights.
The Denver dog bite attorney team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC understands that these incidents often involve friends, family members, or neighbors, creating emotionally complex situations. We navigate these sensitive circumstances while ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Our firm handles all aspects of your dog bite claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Understanding Colorado’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Statute
Colorado’s dog bite statute establishes strict liability for dog owners when their pets cause serious bodily injury to others. Under this legal framework, dog owners in Denver, CO, are held liable for damages regardless of whether they knew their dog had aggressive tendencies. The strict liability dog bites law specifically applies to cases involving serious bodily injury, which includes broken bones, severe lacerations requiring stitches, permanent scarring, or injuries requiring surgical intervention.
The Colorado dog bite lawyer at our firm thoroughly understands the nuances of this statute and how it applies to various situations. Unlike some states where owners might escape liability if their dog had no prior history of aggression, Colorado’s strict liability statute provides stronger protections for bite victims. However, there are important limitations and exceptions to this rule that require expert legal knowledge to navigate successfully. Our Denver dog bite attorney team carefully analyzes each case to determine how the statute applies and develops strategic approaches to maximize compensation.
The One-Bite Rule and Its Limitations
Despite Colorado’s strict liability statute, the “one-bite rule” still plays a significant role in certain dog attack cases. This common law principle holds that dog owners may not be liable for injuries if they had no reason to know their dog was dangerous. However, the one-bite rule in Colorado has significant limitations and doesn’t apply to cases involving serious bodily injury covered by the strict liability statute.
The one-bite rule typically comes into play for less severe injuries or when pursuing negligence claims. Our dog bite injury lawyer team conducts thorough investigations to determine whether a dog owner knew or should have known about their pet’s dangerous propensities. This includes researching prior incidents, interviewing witnesses, and examining animal control records. Even in cases where the strict liability statute doesn’t apply, our Denver dog attack lawyer team can often establish liability through negligence by proving the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling their animal.
Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite victims in Denver, Colorado, are entitled to various forms of compensation to address both economic and non-economic damages. Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims, covering emergency treatment, surgeries, follow-up care, physical therapy, and psychological counseling. For catastrophic injury dog bite cases, compensation may include projected future medical costs for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
Pain and suffering damages represent a significant component of dog bite claims, acknowledging the physical discomfort, emotional trauma, and psychological impact of the attack. Our dog bite victim lawyer team works with medical experts to thoroughly document these non-economic damages. Additional compensation may include lost wages for time missed from work, diminished earning capacity for permanent injuries, property damage, an,d in some cases, punitive damages when an owner’s conduct was particularly reckless. The Denver dog injury lawyer at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC ensures all potential damages are identified and properly valued to maximize your recovery.
Insurance Claims vs. Suing Dog Owners Directly
Most dog bite cases in Denver involve pursuing claims against the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than seeking compensation directly from the dog owner. This approach often provides access to substantial coverage limits while minimizing personal conflict, particularly when the dog owner is a friend, family member, or neighbor. Our dog owner liability lawyer team skillfully negotiates with insurance companies to secure fair settlements without unnecessarily damaging personal relationships.
However, insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts for bodily injury dog bite claims by disputing liability or the extent of damages. When insurers refuse to offer reasonable compensation, our Denver dog bite claims specialists are prepared to file lawsuits and pursue litigation. In cases where insurance coverage is insufficient or unavailable, we can help explore alternatives, including direct claims against the dog owner. Our dog bite legal services include a comprehensive assessment of all potential sources of recovery to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Recovering Damages for Bodily Injuries After Dog Attacks
Dog attacks can cause severe bodily injury ranging from puncture wounds and lacerations to broken bones, nerve damage, and disfigurement. The recovery process often involves multiple surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and significant medical expenses. Our Denver dog bite lawsuit team works closely with medical professionals to document all aspects of your injuries and their impact on your life, creating a comprehensive claim for damages.
Children are particularly vulnerable to serious dog bites, often suffering facial injuries that may require reconstructive surgery and leave permanent scarring. These injuries can cause lasting psychological trauma beyond the physical damage. The personal injury lawyer Denver victims trust, Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC, understands the unique challenges of pediatric dog bite cases and ensures claims account for long-term physical and emotional consequences. Our attorneys also address complications like infections, which occur in approximately 20% of dog bite cases and can significantly increase recovery time and medical costs.
Navigating Insurance Claims and Dog Owner Liability
Insurance companies employ various tactics to minimize payouts for dog bite claims, including questioning liability, disputing the severity of injuries, or claiming the victim provoked the attack. Our experienced dog bite legal representation team anticipates these strategies and builds compelling cases that address potential defenses before they arise. We handle all communications with insurers, protecting you from making statements that could undermine your claim.
Understanding Colorado’s comparative negligence laws is crucial when establishing dog owner liability. If the victim is found partially responsible for the incident, their compensation may be reduced proportionally. Our attorneys carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack to counter any allegations of contributory negligence. We also identify all potentially liable parties, which may include property owners, landlords, or dog sitters, in addition to the dog’s owner, ensuring all avenues for compensation are explored.
Compensation for Pain and Suffering from Animal Injuries
Beyond the physical injuries, dog attacks often cause significant emotional and psychological trauma. Victims frequently develop anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear of dogs, and other psychological conditions requiring professional treatment. Pain and suffering damages compensate for these non-economic impacts, which can sometimes exceed the value of medical expenses, especially in cases involving children or disfiguring injuries.
Calculating appropriate compensation for pain and suffering requires experienced legal judgment. Our dog bite cases Denver team utilizes various methods to quantify these damages, including the “multiplier method,” where economic damages are multiplied by a factor reflecting the severity of the injury, and the “per diem” approach, which assigns a daily value to the victim’s suffering. We support these calculations with expert testimony, psychological evaluations, and compelling documentation of how the attack has affected your quality of life, ensuring you receive fair compensation for both physical and emotional suffering.
Settled Out of Court: Avoiding Lengthy Dog Bite Litigation
While we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, most dog bite claims in Denver are settled out of court through negotiation. This approach often provides faster resolution, reduces legal costs, and minimizes stress for all parties involved. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who understand how to leverage evidence and legal arguments to secure favorable settlements without protracted litigation.
The settled out-of-court process typically begins with a demand letter outlining the facts of the case, the applicable law, and a comprehensive accounting of damages. Insurance companies usually respond with a counteroffer, initiating negotiations. Our dog bite legal services team maintains consistent communication throughout this process, advising you on the strengths and weaknesses of settlement offers and providing informed recommendations. However, if insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and advocate aggressively for your rights before a judge or jury.
Catastrophic Injury Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation
Dog attacks can result in catastrophic injuries with life-altering consequences, including severe scarring, amputations, nerve damage, or infections leading to sepsis. These cases demand specialized legal knowledge and resources to properly value long-term damages and secure adequate compensation. Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Denver work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to project future medical needs, ongoing care requirements, and lifetime economic impact.
For victims suffering permanent disabilities from dog attacks, compensation must account for home modifications, assistive devices, and potential in-home care. Our attorneys carefully document these extraordinary expenses and advocate for comprehensive settlements that provide long-term financial security. We also understand the profound emotional impact of catastrophic injuries and ensure claims include substantial compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological trauma, giving you the resources needed for the best possible quality of life despite your injuries.
Your Rights Under Denver’s Dog Bite Laws Matter
Denver residents have specific legal protections under both Colorado state law and local ordinances regarding dog bites and animal attacks. Understanding these rights is essential to pursuing successful claims and protecting yourself from unfair settlement offers. Our attorneys provide clear explanations of applicable laws and how they impact your case, empowering you to make informed decisions throughout the legal process.
Colorado’s statute of limitations generally allows dog bite victims two years from the date of injury to file lawsuits, making prompt legal consultation crucial. Additionally, Denver has specific leash laws and dangerous dog ordinances that may strengthen your claim if violated by the dog owner. Our legal team thoroughly investigates compliance with these regulations as part of building your case. We also help navigate reporting requirements with animal control authorities and ensure all procedural steps are properly followed to preserve your legal rights and maximize potential compensation.
Don’t Face Insurance Companies Alone — Get Compassionate Advocacy
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize company payouts and may use various tactics to devalue your claim, including requesting recorded statements, pressuring early settlements, or disputing the severity of injuries. Having compassion for bite victims doesn’t factor into their business calculations. Our attorneys serve as your advocates and buffers against these practices, handling all communications with insurers and ensuring your rights are protected.
The compassionate dog bite injury lawyer team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC understands the physical and emotional challenges you’re facing. We provide personalized attention to each client, taking time to listen to your concerns and keeping you informed throughout the legal process. Our approach combines aggressive legal representation with genuine care for your well-being, creating a supportive environment during a difficult time. By entrusting your case to our experienced attorneys, you can focus on recovery while we handle the complex legal aspects of your claim.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite or animal attack in Denver or throughout Colorado, don’t wait to seek legal help. The experienced dog bite attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and explain your options. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you.
Call us today at 303-997-3523 to schedule your free consultation. Our Denver dog bite lawyer team will listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide clear guidance on the next steps in pursuing your claim. Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your suffering or deny you the compensation you deserve. Contact Cheney Galluzzi & Howard LLC and let our experienced attorneys fight for your rights and recovery.