Denver Dog Bite Lawyers
Spending time outdoors with dogs is a favorite pastime for many, with the beautiful scenery, dog-friendly businesses, and off-leash parks making it ideal for pet owners. Yet, the unpredictable nature of animals means that dog bites can unexpectedly occur, leading to traumatic and painful experiences. Our Denver Dog Bite Lawyers at Daly & Black, P.C., recognize the significant impact a severe dog attack can have on your life, affecting your family, and your ability to earn. Our skilled team of personal injury lawyers, adept in handling personal injury cases, is dedicated to ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you are entitled to after such a distressing event.
Dog Bite Laws
Navigating dog bite cases requires the expertise of seasoned legal professionals, given their complexity and the intricacies involved in establishing liability. In most jurisdictions, the laws pertaining to dog bites are grounded in either “negligence” or “strict liability” principles. Under strict liability, the dog’s owner may be held accountable for any serious injuries or fatalities caused by their dog. This rule applies provided the victim was legally present on private or public property. Importantly, strict liability can be enforced regardless of whether the owner was aware or could have foreseen their dog’s aggressive behavior. As experienced Denver Dog Bite Lawyers at Daly & Black, P.C., we are adept at handling these nuanced cases where dog bites have caused:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Second or third degree burns
- A substantial risk of loss or impairment of the function of any part of the body, including organs
- A substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement
- A substantial risk of death
Strict liability law only applies for injuries caused solely by a dog bite. If a dog causes injury by some other means, such as knocking someone down, the injured person can seek compensation via a negligence-based claim.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks, a prevalent issue across the United States, lead to approximately $2 billion in damages annually. Remarkably, over 61 percent of these attacks occur within the owner’s home or nearby vicinity.
These incidents indiscriminately affect individuals of all ages, but it’s children who are most frequently victimized. In fact, dog bites are the leading cause of emergency room visits for children, surpassing other types of injuries. The majority of these harrowing incidents involving children result in injuries to the head and face, which can have long-lasting impacts on a child’s life and self-esteem.
In Denver, if you or a loved one has suffered from a dog attack, the expertise of specialized Denver dog bite lawyers can be invaluable.
Generally speaking, the most common injuries from dog bites include:
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Sprains
- Crush injuries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Infections
- Emotional distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek in a Dog Bite Case?
Beginning with a consultation at our office, or in your hospital room, our dog bite lawyers will evaluate your case and support you during this difficult time while pursuing compensation on your behalf for:
Medical expenses
These costs can include initial emergency treatment and extended hospital stays, in addition to current and future physical therapy, future care and medications for physical and mental pain.
Lost wages, employment and earning potential
This includes the loss of a current job or contract, time off work or an inability to adequately perform tasks in the future.
Pain and suffering
You are entitled to compensation for the pain you are presently experiencing. However, you also have a right to seek compensation for the suffering you initially endured as well as future discomfort and difficulty.
Specialized care
Some injuries require assistance beyond the walls of the hospital. Home nursing care, as well as necessary assistive equipment is included in these damages.
Loss of consortium
This particular form of suffering includes the emotionally painful loss of love, companionship, affection and household services.
Punitive damages
In extreme cases, if it can be proven that an owner “sicked” his dog on you, compensation beyond the standard damages can be awarded. These damages are applied when an attack is caused by an intentional and deliberate act, in order to punish the perpetrator.
What to Do If You’ve Been Attacked By a Dog?
Identify the dog, its owner and the potential insurer.
Immediately determine who owns or had custody of the dog when it attacked you. Identify the liability insurance company providing potential coverage. In some cases, your own insurance company may provide coverage for your wounds.
Seek medical care.
Depending on the severity of your injury, call first responders to the scene or arrange to be taken to the emergency room. Even if your injury seems minor, an untreated wound can lead to serious infection or rabies, and possibly lead to amputation.
Gather evidence.
Obtain contact information from any witnesses. Document the dog’s license information and ask about the dog’s history. Has the dog injured anyone in the past or been legally designated as “dangerous” or “potentially dangerous”? Photograph your injuries, including lacerations, bruises any torn, bloody clothing. It’s also a good idea to photograph the location of the attack.
File a dog bite report.
Once you’ve been medically treated for your injury, file a dog bite report with the city or county, even if the injury was minor. This will legally document your case and leave a useful paper trail for the next potential victim of the same dog.
Contact Us.
Call our dog bite lawyers right away. The legal issues surrounding your case are complex and difficult to navigate alone. Your dog bite attorney can best look out for your best interests from this point forward.
Start a journal.
Dog bite claims can take time to resolve. Begin a journal to document your experiences following the attack. Spend a little time each day recording your thoughts and challenges.
Preserve evidence.
Safely preserve photographic evidence, witness information and any other pertinent information that will help your case. It is important to preserve the clothes you were wearing during the attack, including any blood and dirt. Do not wash the clothes; place them in an adequately-sized plastic bag or container.
If the owner of the dog is insured, you might get a call from an insurance company representative. If that happens, ask the insurer for information including:
- The name, address and phone number of the insurance company
- The claim number
- The name of the person insured
While some things are appropriate to discuss with the insurance representative, there are some things you do not want to do:
- Do not allow your conversation to be recorded
- Do not accept any offers
- Do not discuss who is responsible
- Do not write a memo or letter
- Do not schedule an appointment
- Do not discuss injury value, payment terms, settlement or anything involving money
If your insurance company isn’t being fair to you after you go through a devastating accident like this one, contacting a first-party insurance lawyer can help too.
Dog Bite Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
In the United States, each state has established a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing personal injury cases, including those arising from dog bite injuries. This statute varies by state, setting a specific number of years within which an injured party must file a lawsuit from the date of the injury. Failing to file within this period can result in the case being ineligible for court consideration. Consequently, missing this critical deadline could forfeit your right to seek court-ordered compensation for your injury.
Given the importance of these timelines, it’s essential to promptly consult with specialized Denver dog bite lawyers if you’re facing such a situation. The experienced team at Daly & Black, P.C. is adept at navigating these time-sensitive legal matters. Our Denver dog bite lawyers are ready to assist you in promptly building your case, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the appropriate legal guidance needed for a successful outcome. Don’t delay in securing the expertise necessary for your case.