Dogs are woven into the fabric of our lives in Grand Junction—they’re trusted companions on hikes up Mount Garfield and loyal friends curled up at home. But when that trust is violently broken by a sudden attack, you’re left with physical wounds, a deep sense of shock, and a growing stack of medical bills on your kitchen table.
The dog’s owner should be held accountable, but their insurance company has a different priority: protecting their profits. This is where your fight begins. A compassionate Grand Junction dog bite lawyer at Slingshot Law understands that this is more than just an injury; it’s a violation of trust. We are here to stand with you and demand the justice you deserve.
Key Takeaways about Grand Junction, Colorado Dog Bite Claims
- Colorado law holds dog owners accountable for injuries their animals cause, often under a “strict liability” rule for serious bodily injuries.
- Compensation in a dog bite case can cover economic costs like medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic impacts like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Identifying all responsible parties, which can include not just the owner but also a “keeper” of the dog, is a critical part of building a strong claim.
- Insurance companies for the dog owner often try to minimize payouts, making legal representation important for protecting the injured person’s rights.
- There is a limited time to file a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado, known as the statute of limitations, making it important to understand one’s legal options promptly.
Why Choose Slingshot Law for Your Dog Bite Case?
We built our firm on the principle that everyone deserves a fair fight, especially when they’re up against a powerful insurance company. We see ourselves as the slingshot in your battle against Goliath. After a dog bite, the owner’s insurance company becomes your adversary, and their primary goal is to protect their profits, not to ensure your well-being. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers trained to pay you as little as possible. That’s where we come in.
Our founders, Drew Gibbs and Scott Crivelli, dedicated their early careers to fighting for others—Drew as a state prosecutor and Scott as an active-duty Army JAG Officer. These experiences instilled in them a powerful sense of duty to help people navigate difficult times and stand up to bullies. We bring that same passion and determination to every client we represent in Grand Junction.
Here’s what sets our team apart:
- A Commitment to Justice: We have a deep-seated disdain for bullies, and in the world of personal injury, there are no bigger bullies than the insurance giants trying to deny you fair compensation.
- Trial-Ready Advocacy: While many cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This thorough preparation shows the other side that we’re serious and often leads to better settlement offers for our clients.
- Personalized Guidance: You are not just a case number to us. We take the time to listen to your story, understand how the dog bite has affected your life, and build a strategy tailored to your specific needs.
We know you’re going through a lot, and we want to be the game-changing weapon in your fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Understanding Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws
When you’re recovering from an attack, the last thing you want to do is decipher complex legal codes. A dog bite lawyer can handle the legal details for you, but understanding the basics can help you feel more in control. In Colorado, the law addresses dog bites primarily through a statute that can make an owner responsible for the harm their dog causes.
The key law in Colorado establishes what is often called “strict liability” for dog bites in certain situations. Strict liability means that the dog’s owner is legally responsible for the damages caused by the bite, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had a history of aggression. You don’t have to prove the owner was careless.
However, in Colorado, strict liability only applies if the dog bite results in serious bodily injury. The law defines this as an injury that involves:
- A substantial risk of death
- A substantial risk of permanent disfigurement
- A substantial risk of long-term loss or impairment of any body part or organ
- Broken bones or fractures
If the injuries do not meet the definition of “serious bodily injury,” you may still have a case, but it would likely proceed under a different legal theory called “negligence.”
Negligence means you would need to show that the dog’s owner failed to use reasonable care to control their dog, and this failure led to your injury. For example, if an owner knew their dog was prone to jumping on people and let it run loose in a public park like Lincoln Park, and it knocked someone over and injured them, the owner could be considered negligent.
This distinction is a key reason why working with a knowledgeable dog bite lawyer in Grand Junction is so important for your case.
What Compensation Can a Grand Junction Dog Bite Attorney Help You Pursue?
A dog bite can impact every area of your life, from your finances to your emotional health. The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation, legally known as “damages,” to help make you whole again. This compensation is intended to cover all the losses you’ve suffered because of the attack.
Every case is different, but damages in a Grand Junction dog bite case are generally broken into two main categories:
- Economic Damages: These are the tangible, out-of-pocket financial losses you have incurred and will likely incur in the future. They are measurable and can be proven with bills, receipts, and financial records. Examples include medical expenses for the emergency room, doctor’s visits, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medication, and counseling or therapy for emotional trauma. It also includes lost wages from being unable to work during your recovery and any future loss of earning capacity if your injuries are permanent.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages are for the intangible, non-financial ways the attack has affected your life. Though they don’t come with a price tag, they are very real and can be the most devastating part of a dog bite. Examples include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD. Compensation can also be sought for permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can have a profound impact on self-esteem, as well as for the loss of enjoyment of life if you can no longer participate in hobbies or activities you once loved.
Calculating these damages accurately is a complex process. Insurance companies will try to downplay your non-economic damages, but an experienced attorney knows how to build a case that demonstrates the full, true impact the dog bite has had on your life.
Common Injuries Resulting from Dog Attacks
The physical and emotional trauma from a dog bite can be severe and long-lasting. The harm often goes far beyond the initial wound. At Slingshot Law, we have seen how these injuries can disrupt a person’s life, and we are committed to helping them recover what they’ve lost.
Some of the most common injuries associated with dog attacks include:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Your physical and emotional recovery should be your top priority. A dedicated attorney can handle the legal burdens, allowing you to focus on healing from all aspects of your injury.
Who Is Held Responsible for a Dog Bite Attack in Colorado?
In most cases, the dog’s owner is the party held legally and financially responsible for the injuries their dog causes. A dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy typically provides coverage for dog bite claims. This is an important point because many people hesitate to file a claim if they were bitten by a dog belonging to a friend, neighbor, or family member. They worry about causing financial hardship for someone they know.
However, a personal injury claim is almost always made against the insurance company, not the individual’s personal assets. The purpose of insurance is to cover these exact situations, and you should not have to bear the financial burden of an injury because you are worried about a personal relationship.
Beyond the owner, other parties could potentially share responsibility, including:
- A “Keeper” of the Dog: Someone who was caring for or had control of the dog at the time of the attack (like a dog sitter or dog walker) could be held liable.
- A Landlord: In some limited circumstances, a landlord could be held responsible if they knew the tenant had a dangerous dog on the property and did nothing to protect others from the known risk.
An experienced dog bite lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance carriers. This ensures that you are pursuing compensation from all available sources, maximizing your chances for a fair recovery.
The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
After a dog bite, you might expect the owner’s insurance company to be helpful and fair. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their adjusters are trained to protect the company’s bottom line by paying out as little as possible on claims. They are the “Goliaths” that Slingshot Law was created to fight.
Insurance adjusters use several common tactics to devalue or deny legitimate claims:
- Offering a Quick, Low Settlement: The adjuster may contact you right away and offer a quick check. This offer may seem tempting when medical bills are piling up, but it is almost always far less than what your case is truly worth and will require you to sign away your rights to any future compensation.
- Requesting a Recorded Statement: An adjuster may ask you to provide a recorded statement about the attack. They can then twist your words or use innocent statements out of context to argue that you were partially at fault or that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.
- Delaying and Denying: Some companies will drag out the process, hoping you will get frustrated and give up or accept a lower offer. They may deny the claim outright based on a minor technicality.
- Questioning Your Injuries: The adjuster might go through your medical history to find a pre-existing condition they can blame for your pain, or argue that you didn’t need all the medical treatment you received.
Having a lawyer from Slingshot Law on your side levels the playing field. We handle all communications with the insurance company, protect you from their tactics, and build a powerful, evidence-based case to demand the full and fair compensation you are owed.
Grand Junction Dog Bite FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions our clients have about dog bite claims in Colorado.
What is the time limit for filing a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado?
In Colorado, you generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit. This time limit is called the “statute of limitations.” If you try to file a claim after this deadline has passed, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case. It is very important to speak with an attorney well before the two-year deadline to protect your legal rights.
Can I still have a case if a dog didn’t bite me but knocked me over and caused an injury?
Yes, you may still have a valid claim. While the strict liability statute applies specifically to bites, injuries caused by a dog in other ways (like jumping on someone or tripping them) can be pursued under a negligence theory. You would need to show that the owner failed to properly restrain or control their animal, leading to your fall and injury.
What if the dog bite happened at a friend’s or family member’s house?
This is a very common and sensitive situation. Filing a claim does not have to mean suing your friend or loved one personally. The claim is made against their homeowners or renters’ insurance policy. These policies exist specifically to cover accidents like this. A compassionate attorney can help navigate this delicate process while ensuring you receive the compensation needed for your recovery.
Does the dog have to be euthanized if I file a claim?
Filing a personal injury claim does not automatically mean the dog will be euthanized. A civil lawsuit for damages is completely separate from any actions Mesa County Animal Services might take. The decision about what happens to the dog is typically made by animal control authorities based on factors like the dog’s history and the severity of the attack, not on your lawsuit.
How much does it cost to hire a Grand Junction dog bite lawyer?
At Slingshot Law, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you, either through a settlement or a court verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the total recovery, so we are motivated to get you the best possible result.
Contact the Grand Junction Dog Bite Lawyers from Slingshot Law Today
You have been through a traumatic experience, and you deserve a team that will fight for you with compassion and strength. Let us be the slingshot in your hand as you face the insurance giants.
Contact Slingshot Law today at (866) 647-1311 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. One of our dedicated Grand Junction dog bite attorneys is ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how we can help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Grand Junction Office
Address: 734 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone: 866-647-1311