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Westminster, Colorado. CGH Injury Lawyers represents dog bite victims in Westminster, serving from our Denver office.
Westminster, Colorado

Westminster Dog Bite Lawyers Who Hold the Owner Responsible

For people seriously hurt by a dog in Westminster, Colorado law can make the owner liable even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. We serve Westminster from our Denver office at 2701 Lawrence St. No fee unless we win.

No fee unless we win
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Serving Westminster 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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  • Colorado runs two tracks under C.R.S. 13-21-124. A serious bodily injury triggers strict liability for your economic losses, with no need to prove the Westminster owner knew the dog was dangerous.
  • For a less serious bite, and for pain and suffering, you recover under negligence by showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).
  • Most Westminster dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter insurance, not out of the owner's pocket. The deadline to file is generally two years from the bite (C.R.S. 13-80-102).

If a dog seriously hurt you in Westminster, state law may make the owner responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Westminster from our Denver office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201 -- a short drive from Westminster via US 36 or I-25. We handle the insurance claim, the negotiation, and trial in Adams County District Court when an insurer refuses to be fair. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

The law that governs your case

Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. 13-21-124, decoded for Westminster

Colorado does not follow a pure "one bite" rule, and it is not a pure strict-liability state either. The dog bite statute sets up two separate tracks, and which one applies to your Westminster case depends almost entirely on how badly you were hurt.

The core of the statute reads: 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)).

In plain English, two things have to be true for the strict-liability track: your injury has to meet Colorado's definition of serious bodily injury, and you have to have been lawfully on the property where the bite happened. Meet both and the Westminster owner is liable for your economic losses, even if the dog had never shown a hint of aggression before.

Strict liability vs. negligence

The two-track liability system in Colorado

The single most important question in a Westminster dog bite case is which track applies. One track is far easier to win than the other, and the dividing line is the severity of the injury.

Track 1: Strict liability

  • Applies when the bite causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • You do not have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten before.
  • The bite itself establishes liability for your economic damages.
  • A first-time bite still counts. The dog's clean history is irrelevant.
  • Recovery under this track is limited to economic damages (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)).

Track 2: Negligence standard

  • Applies when the injury does not meet the serious bodily injury threshold.
  • You must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.
  • A prior bite or aggressive behavior is the kind of evidence that proves it.
  • This track is also how non-economic damages like pain and suffering are pursued, since the statute leaves other negligence theories intact (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).
  • It is a harder case, which is exactly when experienced Westminster counsel matters most.

What counts as "serious bodily injury"?

Colorado's dog bite statute borrows its definition of serious bodily injury from the criminal code (C.R.S. 18-1-901(3)(p)). In general terms, it covers injuries that carry a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part, and certain fractures and burns. A facial scar that does not fade, nerve damage that leaves lasting weakness, or a broken bone from an attack are the kinds of injuries that tend to meet it.

Whether a specific injury crosses that line is a legal judgment, not something to assume on your own. We review your medical records against the statutory definition before we tell you which track your Westminster case sits on.

Local Knowledge

Westminster courts, Westminster trauma care, Westminster roads.

A Westminster dog bite case lives in Westminster: the court where your case may be filed, the hospital that may have treated you, and the roads and neighborhoods where attacks happen most. Here is the ground we work on.

Courthouse

Adams County District Court, 17th Judicial District

Westminster sits primarily in Adams County. Personal injury cases arising in Adams County are filed in the Adams County District Court, 17th Judicial District, with civil matters heard at 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601. A portion of Westminster also extends into Jefferson County, and where the bite occurred determines which courthouse applies. We confirm the correct venue before filing. Most Westminster dog bite claims settle before a lawsuit is ever filed, but the courthouse you would face shapes how adjusters respond to a demand.

Trauma Care

St. Anthony North Hospital

Westminster's closest designated trauma center is St. Anthony North Hospital (CommonSpirit Health), a Level III Trauma Center designated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Serious dog attack victims in Westminster are often transported there for initial stabilization. Those medical records -- documenting wound depth, nerve damage, infection risk, and surgical intervention -- become the backbone of your damages claim. We gather and analyze the complete record to make sure no category of harm is understated.

Where Attacks Happen

High-traffic Westminster corridors

Westminster's 116,317 residents (2020 U.S. Census) live in dense suburban neighborhoods threaded by major corridors: US 36 (the Denver-Boulder Turnpike), US 287 (Federal Boulevard and Wadsworth Bypass), SH 121 (Wadsworth Boulevard), and SH 95 (Sheridan Boulevard). Pedestrian-heavy areas near The Orchard Town Center along 144th Avenue, the Butterfly Pavilion at 104th Avenue, the RTD Westminster Station, and the Church Ranch Business Park along US 36 all generate foot traffic where encounters with unleashed dogs happen. A bite near any of these landmarks carries the same statewide legal rules; what changes is which local agency receives the report and which court handles the case.

Reporting

Report the bite to animal control

Whether a bite occurs on the Adams County or Jefferson County side of Westminster, it should be reported to the relevant county animal control authority. Reporting creates an official record, can feed the local dangerous-dog process, and preserves evidence that supports your claim. Report even if the owner asks you not to. Confirm the specific reporting steps and any county-specific deadline for the county where the bite occurred -- those details can vary and an attorney should verify them for your situation.

Why CGH

Why Westminster dog bite victims choose CGH Injury Lawyers

Trial-ready attorneys, bilingual help, and no fee unless we win. We do not publish dog bite settlement figures, because every bite injury is different and a number on a page tells you nothing about your case. What we offer is the work, not a headline.

The Statute

C.R.S. 13-21-124

For a serious bite, the Westminster owner is strictly liable for your economic damages, even with no prior history. We know exactly which track your case belongs on.

Serving Westminster from Denver

Same team, every case.

Our office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205 is a short drive from Westminster via US 36 or I-25. You meet the attorney handling your file, review the medical records and insurance documents, and know who is working on your case from day one. There is no Westminster office, but the same eight-attorney team that tries cases in Adams County District Court is the team that takes your call.

First-Time Bites

No "one bite" excuse.

Colorado rejects the one bite rule for serious injuries. A clean history does not protect the Westminster owner.

Who Pays

The insurer, not your neighbor.

Most claims are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter liability coverage, not their savings.

Trial-Ready

8 attorneys, prepared for trial.

Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023. When attorneys are genuinely ready to try a case in Adams County District Court, insurers respond differently to a demand.

Bilingual

Hablamos espanol.

Spanish-speaking staff and attorneys serve Westminster's Spanish-speaking community.

No Win, No Fee

Contingency only.

You pay nothing out of pocket for legal fees. We advance costs and collect only from a settlement or verdict.

After the Bite

What to do after a dog bite in Westminster

Take care of your health first, report the bite, protect the evidence, then call before you talk to the insurer. Here is the path we walk with you.

  1. Get medical care

    St. Anthony North Hospital is Westminster's closest Level III Trauma Center for serious injuries. Even a wound that looks minor can carry infection risk and nerve damage. Get examined, and keep every record from every visit.

  2. Report the bite to animal control

    Report the bite to the relevant Adams County or Jefferson County animal control authority depending on where the attack occurred. Reporting creates an official record and can feed the local dangerous-dog process, even if the owner asks you not to.

  3. Document the scene

    Photograph your injuries, the dog, and where the attack happened. Identify the dog and its owner, and get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Note whether the property had "beware of dog" or "no trespassing" signs posted.

  4. Call before insurance does

    The owner's insurer may call quickly. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any offer before speaking with us. Call (303) 209-9395.

  5. We build your claim

    We confirm which liability track fits, locate the owner's homeowner or renter coverage, gather the animal control record and any history of the dog, and document the full injury including scarring and psychological impact.

  6. Negotiate or litigate

    Most cases settle. When insurers refuse a fair offer, we file in Adams County District Court (or Jefferson County District Court if the bite occurred on the Jefferson County side of Westminster) and try your case.

Compensation

What compensation can you recover after a Westminster dog bite?

A dog bite is rarely just a medical bill. Colorado law recognizes two broad categories of damages, and which ones you can reach depends on the liability track your case sits on.

Economic damages

  • Emergency care, surgery, and follow-up treatment
  • Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for scarring
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Future medical and rehabilitation costs
  • Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the attack

Non-economic damages

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and PTSD, common after dog attacks
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Here is a distinction many people miss. The strict-liability track in C.R.S. 13-21-124(2) recovers economic damages only. To recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, a victim pursues a negligence theory, which the statute expressly leaves available (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)). In a serious injury case, both paths are often pursued together. We structure the claim so that no category of harm you suffered is left on the table.

Colorado caps non-economic damages like pain and suffering at $1.5 million for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025 (C.R.S. 13-21-102.5), with inflation adjustments starting in 2028. Damages for physical impairment or disfigurement are not capped at all. Economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages are never capped.

Owner defenses

Defenses Westminster dog owners use, and how we answer them

The statute lists specific situations where an owner is not liable (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)). Insurers reach for these defenses early. Knowing what each one actually requires is how we keep a valid claim alive.

  1. "You were trespassing"

    The statute protects people lawfully on the property. Colorado defines that broadly to include anyone performing a legal duty, such as a mail carrier, and anyone there by the owner's express or implied invitation (C.R.S. 13-21-124(4)). An open gate or the absence of posted signs can support lawful presence. The statute also bars liability where the property is clearly posted with "no trespassing" or "beware of dog" signs, which is why the facts of where and how you entered matter so much.

  2. "You provoked the dog"

    An owner is not liable when the person knowingly provokes the dog (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d)). Knowingly is the key word. Petting a dog, walking past it on one of Westminster's busy pedestrian corridors, or being startled is not provocation. We use witness statements and your own account to keep ordinary, reasonable behavior from being recast as provocation.

  3. "The dog was working"

    The statute carves out dogs used by peace officers or military personnel on duty, and dogs working as hunting, herding, farm, ranch, or predator-control animals on the owner's property (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)). It also exempts bites against veterinary workers, groomers, handlers, and similar professionals acting in their duties. These exemptions are narrow and rarely fit an ordinary household pet biting a visitor in a Westminster neighborhood.

One honest thing we will tell you up front: we do not take dog bite cases we cannot honestly stand behind. If your situation falls squarely within a statutory exemption, we will say so in the free review rather than sign you up and let the case stall. When the law is on your side, we fight hard. When it is not, you deserve to hear that early, for free.

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The hard part of these cases

Filing against the insurance, not your Westminster neighbor

The most common reason people hesitate to pursue a dog bite claim is that the owner is a friend, a neighbor, or a relative. Understanding how the money actually moves usually puts that fear to rest.

  • In most cases you file a claim against the owner's homeowner or renter liability coverage, not against their personal savings or assets.
  • Most homeowner and renter policies in Colorado include liability coverage that responds to dog bite claims, though some insurers exclude certain breeds or cap the coverage. We confirm the policy terms before assuming anything.
  • The insurer pays the settlement or judgment up to the policy limits. The point of liability insurance is to protect both the injured person and the policyholder.
  • The insurance company will contest the claim whether the owner is a stranger or someone you love. Having counsel is how you make the insurer meet its obligation.
Questions

Westminster dog bite, frequently asked questions

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

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 Westminster 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.

Where is a Westminster dog bite lawsuit filed?

Westminster sits primarily in Adams County, which is part of the 17th Judicial District. Personal injury cases arising on the Adams County side of Westminster are filed in Adams County District Court at 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton, CO 80601. A portion of Westminster extends into Jefferson County; if the bite occurred there, the case would be filed in Jefferson County District Court. Where exactly the bite happened determines which courthouse applies -- we confirm venue before filing.

Can I recover pain and suffering for 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 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.

Who actually pays a Westminster dog bite settlement?

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.

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Colorado?

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 soon after the bite.

What counts as serious bodily injury under the Colorado dog bite statute?

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.

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

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.

What should I do right after a dog bite in Westminster?

Get medical care at St. Anthony North Hospital or the nearest emergency facility, photograph your injuries and the scene, identify the dog and its owner, and report the bite to the relevant county animal control authority 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 us at (303) 209-9395.

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