Greeley Dog Bite Lawyers Who Hold the Owner Responsible

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 history is irrelevant if your injury qualifies as serious bodily injury. The Greeley owner is liable for your economic damages even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. For less serious injuries, the dog's history matters because you would proceed under a negligence theory.

Personal injury cases that arise in Weld County are filed in the Weld County District Court, 19th Judicial District. The main courthouse is at 901 9th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631, with clerk's office and filing functions also handled at the Centennial Center at 915 10th Street. Most dog bite claims settle before a lawsuit is ever filed, but where a case would be filed affects the local rules, the jury pool, and which adjusters and defense firms you face. We serve Greeley from our Denver office and handle Weld County District Court cases directly.

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 damages like pain and suffering, you pursue a negligence theory, which the statute expressly preserves (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)). In a serious injury case both paths are commonly pursued together. We structure the claim to reach every category of harm.

In most cases the owner's homeowner or renter liability insurance pays, not the owner personally. Most Colorado policies include this coverage, though some insurers exclude certain breeds or cap the limits. We confirm the policy terms early so we know what coverage is available before negotiating.

The deadline for most personal injury claims in Colorado, including dog bites, is generally two years from the date of injury (C.R.S. 13-80-102). If the victim is a child, the deadline is tolled and the clock generally does not start until the child turns 18. Even with that extra time, evidence should be preserved early, so it is best to consult an attorney as soon as possible after the bite.

Colorado's dog bite statute uses the definition of serious bodily injury from C.R.S. 18-1-901(3)(p). It generally covers injuries that carry a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of a body part, and certain fractures and burns. Facial scarring, nerve damage, and broken bones from an attack are common examples. Whether a particular injury crosses that line is a legal judgment we make after reviewing your medical records.

Not automatically. The statute bars liability only where the person knowingly provoked the dog (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d)). Petting a dog, walking past it, or reacting to being startled is not provocation. We use witness statements and your account to keep ordinary, reasonable conduct from being mischaracterized.

Get medical care, including at Banner North Colorado Medical Center if the injury is serious. Photograph your injuries and the scene, identify the dog and its owner, and report the bite to Weld County or Greeley animal control even if the owner asks you not to. Keep every medical record and receipt. Then speak with an attorney before giving any recorded statement to an insurer. You can reach CGH Injury Lawyers at (303) 209-9395. We serve Greeley from our Denver office.