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Englewood, Colorado neighborhood. CGH Injury Lawyers represents dog bite victims across Arapahoe County from our Denver office.
Englewood, Arapahoe County

Englewood Dog Bite Lawyers Who Take Cases to Trial

A dog attack in Englewood, whether at a neighbor's home, on a South Broadway sidewalk, or in a park near Belleview Park, can leave you with lacerations, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and an insurer that treats your injuries as a negotiating chip. Colorado law makes the dog's owner responsible. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Englewood and all of Arapahoe County from our Denver office, builds your claim to its full value, and files in the 18th Judicial District when an insurer refuses to be fair.

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Serving Englewood From Our Denver Office CGH Injury Lawyers 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201 Denver, CO 80205 (303) 209-9395 Se habla espanol
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A dog bite anywhere in Englewood, whether at a home in the Bates-Logan Park neighborhood, along the Cherry Hills Village boundary, or in the Old Englewood commercial corridor, can produce injuries that range from deep puncture wounds and permanent facial scarring to nerve damage and lasting psychological trauma. Colorado law gives you a direct path to hold the owner responsible.

  • Colorado's dog bite statute runs on two tracks under C.R.S. 13-21-124. If you suffered serious bodily injury, the owner is strictly liable for your economic losses with no need to prove the dog had ever bitten anyone before. For a less serious bite or to recover pain and suffering, you proceed under negligence by showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).
  • The deadline to file most Colorado dog bite claims is two years from the date of the bite (C.R.S. 13-80-102). If the victim is a child, the limitations clock generally does not start until the child turns 18. Report the bite to Englewood Animal Control promptly, as the official record supports both your civil claim and the local dangerous-dog process.
  • Dog bite lawsuits arising in Englewood are filed in the 18th Judicial District, Arapahoe County District Court. Most claims are paid by the dog owner's homeowner or renter liability insurance, not out of the owner's personal savings.

CGH Injury Lawyers represents dog bite victims across Englewood and all of Arapahoe County from our Denver office. We handle the insurance claim, negotiation, and trial when an insurer refuses to be fair, with no upfront fees and a free first consultation.

The law that governs your case

Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. 13-21-124, and what it means for Englewood victims

Colorado does not follow a pure "one bite" rule. It is also not a pure strict-liability state. The dog bite statute sets up two separate liability tracks, and which one applies depends almost entirely on how seriously you were injured.

The statute's core rule: a person who suffers serious bodily injury or death from being bitten by a dog while lawfully on public or private property may bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner, regardless of the viciousness or dangerous propensities of the dog or the owner's knowledge of them (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)).

Two conditions activate strict liability: your injury must meet the legal definition of serious bodily injury, and you must have been lawfully present on the property where the bite occurred. A dog with a spotless history is no defense on the strict-liability track. A first-time bite that leaves permanent facial scarring, nerve damage, or a broken bone from the force of the attack is fully covered.

The statute expressly preserves separate negligence claims (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)), which is the path to recovering non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and the path for victims whose injuries do not rise to the serious bodily injury threshold but who can show the owner had reason to know the dog was dangerous.

Strict liability vs. negligence

The two liability tracks in a Colorado dog bite case

Which track your Englewood case sits on changes everything about how the claim is built and what you can recover. Here is the dividing line.

Track 1: Strict liability (serious bodily injury)

  • Applies when the bite produces serious bodily injury or death (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)).
  • No need to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had bitten before. The bite and the injury establish liability.
  • A dog with zero prior incidents still triggers the owner's strict liability when the injury meets the threshold.
  • Recovery on this track is limited to economic damages: medical bills, lost wages, future care costs, and related out-of-pocket losses.
  • Economic damages are not capped under Colorado law. In a severe attack requiring reconstructive surgery and long-term rehabilitation, economic losses often represent the largest portion of the recovery.

Track 2: Negligence (prior knowledge)

  • Applies when the injury does not reach serious bodily injury, or when the victim wants to recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
  • Requires proving the owner knew or should have known the dog posed a danger (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).
  • Evidence of prior aggression, a bite history with animal control, or owner warnings to neighbors can support the negligence claim.
  • This is also the track for emotional distress, PTSD from the attack, and the permanent psychological impact of scarring.
  • For claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado caps non-economic damages at $1,500,000 under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5. Physical impairment and disfigurement damages are not subject to that cap.

What counts as serious bodily injury?

Colorado's dog bite statute borrows its definition from the criminal code (C.R.S. 18-1-901(3)(p)). It covers injuries carrying a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ, and certain fractures and burns. A facial scar that does not fade, nerve damage producing lasting weakness, or a bone fractured by the force of a dog attack are the types of injuries that tend to meet this standard. Whether a specific Englewood victim's injury crosses that line is a legal determination. We review your medical records against the statutory definition before advising you which track your case sits on.

Englewood, Arapahoe County

Englewood courts, trauma care, and the neighborhoods where dog attacks happen

Every Englewood dog bite claim has a local shape. Here is the ground we work on.

Trauma Care

Craig Hospital and HCA HealthONE Swedish, Englewood

Craig Hospital at 3425 S. Clarkson Street in Englewood is one of the world's leading rehabilitation centers for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. A severe dog attack that causes spinal or nerve trauma may route through Craig for acute stabilization and long-term rehabilitation. Those records document the full medical picture that supports a life-care plan and a damages claim. HCA HealthONE Swedish, also serving the south Denver and Arapahoe County corridor, treats acute orthopedic, plastic surgery, and infection-related injuries from dog attacks, including the reconstructive procedures required after serious facial bites. Emergency care at either facility produces the medical records that anchor the economic damages claim.

Where Englewood Dog Bites Occur

Residential areas, parks, and commercial corridors

Dog bites in Englewood most often happen at private residences, in shared outdoor spaces, and along pedestrian corridors. The Bates-Logan Park neighborhood and the Old Englewood area near South Broadway see consistent foot traffic and residential dog ownership. Belleview Park and other city green spaces along South Inca Drive and South Huron Street are locations where dogs are frequently off-leash or inadequately restrained. Delivery workers, mail carriers on South Broadway routes, and neighbors visiting properties throughout Arapahoe County's Englewood boundary are among the most common bite victims. The Colorado dog bite statute protects people lawfully on public property and on private property by invitation or license (C.R.S. 13-21-124(4)), which covers the vast majority of attacks in Englewood's residential and commercial areas.

Courthouse

18th Judicial District, Arapahoe County District Court

Dog bite lawsuits arising in Englewood are filed in the 18th Judicial District of Colorado, Arapahoe County District Court. The court sits at the Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S. Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112, or the Arapahoe County Courthouse, 1790 West Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120. The insurance companies and defense firms that handle Arapahoe County dog bite claims know this court well. So do we. CGH Injury Lawyers files and tries cases in the 18th Judicial District directly from our Denver office.

After the attack

What to do after a dog bite in Englewood

The actions you take in the first hours after a dog attack in Englewood directly shape the strength of your claim. These five steps protect your health and preserve the evidence an insurer will later try to challenge.

  1. Seek medical care immediately

    Dog bites carry a serious infection risk, including the potential for rabies exposure, and bite wounds often require cleaning, closure, and antibiotic treatment that must begin within hours. Go to HCA HealthONE Swedish or the nearest emergency department even if the wound looks manageable. A gap in medical treatment gives the insurer reason to argue your injuries were not serious or not caused by the bite.

  2. Report the bite to animal control

    Report the attack to Englewood Animal Control even if the owner asks you not to. Reporting creates an official record of the bite, identifies the dog and its owner, starts the rabies quarantine clock, and feeds the local dangerous-dog process. That report may also surface prior complaints against the same animal, which strengthens a negligence claim if your injury does not meet the strict-liability threshold.

  3. Document the scene and your injuries

    Photograph your wounds before they are treated, the location of the attack, the dog, and any relevant conditions such as a broken fence, absent leash, or posted signage. In Englewood residential neighborhoods, nearby security cameras and doorbell devices often capture the moment of the attack. Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses.

  4. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurer

    The dog owner's homeowner or renter insurer will contact you quickly. Do not agree to a recorded statement or sign any release before an attorney has reviewed your case. Statements made without counsel are routinely used to limit or deny valid claims.

  5. Contact a dog bite attorney

    Colorado's two-year filing deadline for most personal injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102) means evidence preservation starts now. Security footage from Englewood properties is often overwritten within days. A free consultation costs you nothing and starts the process of identifying the dog owner's insurance, determining which liability track applies, and preserving the record of what happened.

Compensation

What compensation can you recover after an Englewood dog bite?

Colorado law recognizes two broad categories of damages after a dog attack. Which ones you can reach depends on the liability track your case sits on and the nature of your injuries.

Economic damages

  • Emergency department and urgent care costs
  • Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for scarring and tissue damage
  • Plastic surgery and scar revision procedures
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Lost wages during recovery
  • Future medical and rehabilitation costs
  • Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the attack

Non-economic damages

  • Pain and suffering from the bite and the recovery
  • Emotional distress and PTSD, which are common after dog attacks
  • Permanent disfigurement from facial or body scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, including fear of dogs in daily life
  • Loss of consortium for a spouse or close family member

A critical distinction: the strict-liability track under C.R.S. 13-21-124(2) covers economic damages only. To recover non-economic losses like pain and suffering, you must pursue a negligence theory, which the statute expressly preserves (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)). For a serious attack, both paths are typically pursued together. Economic damages are not capped under Colorado law. For claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering are capped at $1,500,000 (C.R.S. 13-21-102.5), but compensation for physical impairment and disfigurement is not subject to that cap. In a severe dog attack case, the documented economic losses from Craig Hospital-level rehabilitation or multiple reconstructive surgeries often make up the largest share of the claim.

Defenses and fault

Owner defenses and comparative fault in an Englewood dog bite case

Dog owners and their insurers raise several defenses under C.R.S. 13-21-124(5). Colorado's comparative fault rule also applies. Understanding both is how we keep a strong claim from being reduced to nothing.

  1. "You were trespassing"

    The statute covers people lawfully on public or private property, including anyone there by the owner's express or implied invitation and anyone performing a legal duty such as a mail carrier (C.R.S. 13-21-124(4)). An unlocked gate, a path across a yard regularly used by neighbors, or the absence of posted "no trespassing" signs can support lawful presence. Where the owner has posted a compliant "beware of dog" or "no trespassing" sign, the statute limits liability in certain situations. The specific facts of how you entered and why you were there matter greatly to this defense.

  2. "You provoked the dog"

    The statute bars liability only where the person knowingly provoked the dog (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d)). Knowingly is the operative word. Petting a dog without incident, walking past the property, reaching for a package near the door, or reacting instinctively when a dog charges are not provocation. We use witness accounts, the animal control report, and your own description of the moment to keep ordinary, reasonable conduct from being recast as something that excused the attack.

  3. Colorado comparative fault and its effect on your recovery

    Colorado applies modified comparative fault under C.R.S. 13-21-111. You can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the incident, as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurers sometimes try to inflate your share of responsibility to reduce or eliminate a payout. Producing a complete factual record from the moment of the attack, before an insurer's version of events sets in, is the most effective defense against this tactic.

  4. The insurance claim is against the policy, not the person

    Many Englewood victims hesitate to pursue a claim because the dog belongs to a neighbor, a relative, or a friend. In most cases the money comes from the owner's homeowner or renter liability policy, not from the owner's personal savings. The insurer's job is to contest the claim regardless of the relationship. Having an attorney levels that playing field. We identify the applicable policy, confirm coverage limits, and check for breed exclusions that can change how a claim must be handled.

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How it works

How an Englewood dog bite claim works from start to finish

A dog bite claim in Englewood moves through clear stages, from a free case review to trial in the 18th Judicial District when an insurer will not pay what your case is worth. Most cases resolve before a courtroom, but we prepare every case as if it will be tried.

  1. Free case review

    We review the circumstances of the bite, your injuries, and where it happened in Englewood, then tell you honestly which liability track applies to your case and what your claim is likely worth. This costs you nothing.

  2. Investigation and the animal control record

    We verify the bite report, identify the dog and its owner, and pull the animal control history. If the dog had a prior complaint or bite on record with Englewood Animal Control or Arapahoe County, that evidence goes directly to the negligence analysis and can strengthen your claim for non-economic damages.

  3. Build the full injury record

    We gather medical records from your treating physicians, emergency department, and any specialists involved in reconstruction or rehabilitation. We document scarring, nerve damage, infection complications, and the psychological impact, because non-economic harm is real harm that insurers routinely undervalue.

  4. Identify the insurance and confirm coverage

    We locate the owner's homeowner or renter liability policy, confirm coverage limits, and check for breed exclusions or other provisions that affect the claim. If the owner has no applicable insurance, we evaluate other avenues including potential landlord liability in certain situations.

  5. Demand and negotiation

    We prepare a documented demand that accounts for every category of loss, including future medical care and the lasting impact of scarring, and we negotiate from a position of trial readiness rather than a willingness to accept the first offer from an Arapahoe County insurer.

  6. File suit and try the case

    If the insurer refuses a fair settlement, we file in the 18th Judicial District, Arapahoe County District Court, and present your case to a jury when that is what full recovery requires. Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has tried over 25 cases to verdict.

Your team

The team handling your Englewood dog bite case

CGH Injury Lawyers is a eight-attorney Colorado firm founded in 2016, formerly Cheney Galluzzi & Howard. Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023. Every Englewood dog bite case is handled by a licensed Colorado attorney, not a paralegal. We serve Englewood and all of Arapahoe County from our Denver office, at no cost to you unless we win.

ABOTA member on the team Tim Tarr: Best Lawyers in America since 2023 Over 25 cases to verdict 18th Judicial District coverage Bilingual EN / ES Free consultation No fee unless we win

Frequently asked questions

Englewood dog bite, frequently asked questions

Does the dog have to have bitten someone before for me to have a case in Englewood?

No. Colorado rejects the "one bite rule" for serious injuries. Under the strict-liability track in C.R.S. 13-21-124(2), the dog's prior history is irrelevant. If the bite caused serious bodily injury, the owner is liable for your economic damages even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. For injuries that do not reach that threshold, a prior bite or documented aggression is the kind of evidence used on the negligence track, but even then the absence of prior history does not automatically end your case.

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Englewood?

The deadline for most Colorado personal injury claims, including dog bites, is two years from the date of the injury (C.R.S. 13-80-102). If the victim is a child, the limitations clock generally does not begin until the child turns 18, though involving an attorney early is still important because evidence does not wait for the legal deadline. Do not assume you have time to spare. A consultation costs nothing and starts the evidence-preservation process immediately.

Can I recover pain and suffering from a dog bite in Colorado?

Often yes, but not through the strict-liability track alone. C.R.S. 13-21-124(2) limits the strict-liability claim to economic damages. To recover non-economic losses like pain and suffering, PTSD, and the emotional impact of permanent scarring, you pursue a negligence theory, which the statute expressly preserves at C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a). In a serious attack, both paths are typically pursued together. For claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, non-economic damages are capped at $1,500,000 under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5, but physical impairment and disfigurement damages are not subject to that cap.

The dog belongs to my neighbor. Will pursuing a claim ruin the relationship?

This is the most common reason Englewood victims delay pursuing a valid claim. In most cases, the money comes from the dog owner's homeowner or renter liability insurance policy, not from the neighbor's personal savings. That is exactly what liability coverage exists for. The insurer, not your neighbor, is the party contesting the claim. Understanding that the claim is directed at the insurance policy, not the person, often puts that concern to rest.

The owner says I provoked the dog. Does that end my Englewood case?

Not automatically. The statute bars recovery only where the victim knowingly provoked the dog (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d)). The word is knowingly. Petting a dog, walking past a property, reaching for a delivered package at the door, or reacting instinctively when a dog lunges are not provocation. We use witness statements, the animal control report, and your account of the moment to prevent ordinary conduct from being mischaracterized as something that excused the attack.

Where would my Englewood dog bite lawsuit be filed?

Dog bite lawsuits arising in Englewood are filed in the 18th Judicial District, Arapahoe County District Court, which sits at the Arapahoe County Justice Center (7325 S. Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112) or the Arapahoe County Courthouse (1790 West Littleton Blvd, Littleton, CO 80120). Most dog bite claims resolve before a lawsuit is filed, but understanding the court matters for strategy. CGH Injury Lawyers handles Arapahoe County cases directly from our Denver office. CGH Injury Lawyers does not have an Englewood office.

Other injury cases we handle in Englewood

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You were bitten in Englewood. We handle everything else.

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Prefer to read first? See how Colorado dog bite law works.

CGH Injury Lawyers serves Englewood and Arapahoe County from 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205. (303) 209-9395. CGH Injury Lawyers does not have an Englewood office.