Call (800) 863-5312 to Speak With a Highlands Ranch Dog Bite Lawyer for Free
Dogs have given comfort and joy to millions of families for hundreds of years. Nevertheless, every year more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites. The pain and trauma caused by a dog bite or attack can last for years and result in hospital bills, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
The dog bite attorneys at Zinda Law Group have experience representing dog attack victims and helping them seek the compensation they deserve. Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free attorney consultation with Highlands dog bite attorneys. If we take your case but do not settle or win compensation on your behalf, you will not owe us a dime.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCommon dog bite injuries
No matter the size or breed of a dog, all dogs can bite; in 2019, there were over 500 biting incidents in the Denver area. Unfortunately, children are the most common victims of dog bites and more likely to suffer from severe injuries. Some of the most common dog bite injuries include:
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationInfections
Dog bites can transmit a number of diseases through their saliva. This can cause serious complications or death if left untreated, which is why it is important to seek medical attention immediately after a dog bite occurs. Some of the most common types of infections caused by dog bites include:
- Rabies: Rabies is usually treated with a series of shots; if it goes undiagnosed or untreated, it can result in death.
- Tetanus: A bacterial infection that can cause painful muscle spasms, and if left untreated, can lead to paralysis or death.
- MRSA: Dog bites often result in MRSA, or staph infections, which can be life-threatening, especially once they spread to the bloodstream and lungs.
- Capnocytophaga: These bacteria can cause severe illness in humans, including a heart attack, kidney failure, or gangrene. In severe cases of infection, people may die from sepsis or need to have limbs amputated.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationOpen Wounds
A dog bite may result in open wounds that can leave a victim vulnerable to infection. This often leads to follow up treatment so that the wounds can be monitored. Open wounds may also leave permanent scarring or disfigurement after they have healed.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationBroken Bones
Depending on the breed and strength of the attacking dog’s bite, they may be able to break bones. For example, a pit bull’s jaw pressure combined with its tendency to shake its head and hold on for a long period of time makes it capable of crushing and breaking bones, especially in the legs, feet, or hands.
Internal Injuries
A dog bite can exert incredible force and is capable of crushing or damaging internal organs and muscles. Bites that occur in the arms or legs can cause serious and sometimes permanent muscle damage. Even if the wound appears to be small, there can still be underlying damage to nerves and blood vessels.
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What to do after a dog bite attack
The pain and trauma caused by a dog bite or attack may cause victims to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. However, knowing what to do after a dog bite injury can help increase the chances of ensuring you receive the proper medical care and financial compensation you may deserve. After a dog bite, you should:
1. Seek Medical Attention
If you have been bitten by a dog, you should immediately seek medical attention and wash the wound with soap and water, for dog bites can cause serious infections and even life-threatening injuries if not treated quickly and properly. A dog bite may also transmit rabies to the victim if the dog has not been. Your doctor will be able to provide the necessary treatment and document your injury, which an injury lawyer can later use to prove the extent of your injuries.
2. Contact Animal Control
After a dog bite, you should contact Animal Control and report the bite; this provides official documentation of the bite and the details surrounding the attack. It may also alert Animal Control to dangerous dogs who have previously bitten other people.
Contacting Animal Control can also help establish whether the dog has been vaccinated for rabies. The city of Denver requires that all dogs over six months be vaccinated for rabies. This helps ensure that Animal Control, the victim, and the victim’s doctor are aware when there is a need to vaccinate the victim against rabies.
3. Document Injuries and Details Surrounding the Accident
It is important to document your injuries after a dog attack. Be sure to take photos of the bite and affected area as soon as possible after the bite occurs and throughout the treatment and healing process. You should also gather as much evidence as possible regarding details of events surrounding the incident, including photos of the scene of the accident.
If there were any witnesses who were present when the dog attacked you, be sure to take down their contact information. If you know who the dog owner is, take down their contact information and insurance information so you’ll have it handy to give to your dog bite attorney later.
4. Consult an Attorney
Consult an experienced Colorado dog bite attorney near you to help you seek fair compensation for your injuries. An attorney will know the laws relevant to the Highlands area regarding dog bites, and can help prove that the dog owner is liable for your injuries. You should only discuss the details of the incident with your attorney; do not discuss these details with the dog owner or their insurance company without consulting your attorney first, as this could damage your case.
CASE RESULTS
liability in dog bite accidents
In Colorado, dog owners will be strictly liable for victims who are seriously injured or killed from a dog bite. A serious injury includes injuries that involve permanent disfigurement; a substantial risk of death; serious impairment to an organ; or breaks, fractures, or burns of the second or third degree. If an injury is serious, an owner will be held liable for your injuries regardless of whether the owner knew that the dog was vicious or likely to bite someone.
For minor injuries, an owner may still be held liable for your injuries if they were negligent by failing to reasonably control or restrain their dog. While a negligence case will look more at the specific facts of the accident, partial evidence of an owner’s negligence could include a failure to keep the dog on a leash, as required by Denver law.
In general, dog bite victims will usually be able to be compensated for their injuries. However, there are a few situations where a dog owner will not be responsible and those injured by a dog bite will be unable to recover; these include situations where a person knowingly provokes a dog and is then bitten. Additionally, trespassers will be unable to recover and owners with clear warning signs that state “no trespassing” or “beware of dog” will not be held liable for injuries that are sustained.
Faqs
What Can a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Do for Me?
Our Highlands dog bite lawyers are here to help walk you through every step of the process of recovering compensation for an injury suffered during a dog bite attack. Most damages from a dog bite will be taken care of by the homeowner’s insurance policy of the dog owner. Keep in mind though that insurance adjusters will often attempt to persuade you that an attorney is not necessary, because it is their job to save money; hiring an attorney helps to ensure that you retain a fair chance at recovering the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
Once hired, an attorney will investigate the incident and seek to prove liability and/or negligence by the dog owner. In most cases, the insurer will seek to reach a negotiated settlement in order to avoid a costly trial, and an attorney will work to ensure that you receive the compensation you may be entitled to.
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover for My Injuries?
In Colorado, victims can recover economic damages for their dog bite injuries. This could include hospital bills, pharmaceutical prescriptions, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and other medical expenses. Economic damages can also include lost income if a victim had to take time off of work to recover from their dog bite injuries. Our Colorado dog bite lawyers are experienced negotiators and will work to ensure that you don’t pay for a dog bite injury that’s not your fault.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
If you were injured in dog bite accident and want to file a lawsuit against the other party, you need to be aware of the time limits, or statutes of limitations, that are in place. In Colorado, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim for your injuries. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure your claim is filed in a timely manner and you don’t lose the ability to be compensated for your damages.
contact a lawyer who handles dog bite injury cases
At Zinda Law Group, our injury attorneys recognize how scary and painful a dog bite injury can be. We have seen many similar cases, and we have experience helping victims successfully receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries, medical bills, and much more.
We believe a dog bite victim should never have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer 100% free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
If you’ve been bit by a dog in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free consultation with one of our Highlands dog bite lawyers.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation