Denver Dog Bite Lawyer

While dogs bring companionship and joy to many Denver households, they can also turn dangerous in an instant. A dog attack happens in seconds, but the fear and shock can stay with you — and worries about scarring or how a child will heal are real and valid, whether it happened in a Capitol Hill backyard or at an off-leash spot like Cheesman Park. While you focus on recovering, a Denver dog bite lawyer can handle the insurer and the paperwork for you.

• 20+ years on Colorado injury cases: Levine Law was founded by Jordan S. Levine, and our Denver attorneys have stood with hurt Coloradans for over two decades. Meet the firm and the people who would handle your case.
• A track record that matters: The firm has won multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured clients, and our client reviews reflect how we treat the people behind them.
• Bites and the property behind them: When an attack happens on someone’s property, the case can also involve premises liability — the owner’s duty to keep the place safe.
• Free, no-pressure consultation: We will take your case on contingency, so you pay no fee unless we win. Call our Denver office at 303-333-8000 and see the awards and recognition our attorneys have earned.

Colorado usually gives you two years to file a dog bite claim (C.R.S. § 13-80-102) — shorter than the three-year deadline for car crashes. Acting early protects the Denver Animal Protection report, medical records, and photos before they fade.

What should you do immediately after a dog bite in Denver?

Get medical care, report the bite, and document everything before details fade. In Denver, report the attack to Denver Animal Protection, which handles bite investigations and rabies quarantine (a hold to watch the dog for signs of rabies).

The steps you take right after an attack can make or break your claim. To protect it:

• See a doctor right away. Dog bites easily get infected and can cause deep puncture and nerve damage. Denver Health Medical Center runs the region’s top trauma center, and children’s bite injuries are often treated at Denver-area ERs. Early records link the injury to the attack.
• Report the bite. A report starts an official investigation, puts the dog under quarantine, and creates a record of the attack.
• Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and any home or renter’s insurance information, plus proof the dog’s shots are up to date if you can.
• Photograph the injuries and the scene. Take pictures of the wounds before and after treatment, torn clothing, and where the attack happened. Get names and phone numbers from any witnesses — independent witnesses matter most when your account and the owner’s account do not match.

What actually happens after a dog bite in Denver?

Things often move more slowly than victims might expect. Attacks can happen anywhere, from backyards in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Washington Park to popular spots like the Railyard Dog Park in RiNo and the fenced areas near Cheesman Park. A bite investigation and quarantine by Denver Animal Protection can take a few days. It also takes time to gather the medical records and photos that show how serious your injuries really are.

Meanwhile, the dog owner’s insurance company may contact you quickly. They might try to downplay the attack or suggest you caused the dog to bite you. Be careful what you say early on. Before you know the full extent of your scarring, nerve damage, or emotional pain, any information you share could be used to blame you or lower your claim’s value. It is okay to provide only basic information and to decline giving a recorded statement until you have spoken with a lawyer.

How does Colorado’s dog bite law work?

Colorado’s dog bite law has two tracks under C.R.S. § 13-21-124. Which track fits your case decides what you can recover. This is the single most important part of a Denver dog bite case, so it is worth understanding both tracks:

• Strict liability track. If the dog caused serious bodily injury or death, the owner is strictly liable. Strict liability means the owner is responsible even if they did not know the dog was dangerous — you do not have to prove that. But this track pays economic (money) damages only, like medical bills and lost wages.
• Negligence track. To also recover non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages — like scarring and emotional trauma — you must prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. This track also covers smaller injuries that are not “serious bodily injury”.

Serious bodily injury is defined by C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(p). It includes injuries with a real risk of death, long-lasting scarring, long-lasting loss or damage to a body part, or breaks, fractures, and second- or third-degree burns. Because this definition decides which damages you can get, how the injury is documented and described matters a great deal.

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What injuries are common in Denver dog attacks?

Dog attacks often cause more than surface wounds, and serious attacks can leave permanent damage. How bad the injury is usually drives both your recovery time and the value of the claim.

Some of the most common injuries resulting from these attacks include:

• Puncture wounds and deep cuts, which easily get infected.
• Nerve and muscle damage, which can limit movement and need surgery.
• Permanent scarring, especially to the face, hands, and arms — a common and lasting result for children.
• Traumatic brain injuries or head trauma when a victim is knocked down, common when small children are attacked.
• Emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress and a lasting fear of dogs.

Scarring and emotional injuries can be permanent. Prompt medical and mental-health records protect both your recovery and your claim.

Who is liable for a dog bite in Denver?

The dog’s owner is the main party at fault under C.R.S. § 13-21-124, and their home or renter’s insurance is usually what pays. But in some cases, others may share the blame:

• The dog’s owner — strictly liable for serious injury or death, and liable for pain-and-suffering damages if they were careless.
• A property owner, landlord, or keeper — who housed or controlled a dangerous dog. This can fall under Colorado’s Premises Liability Act, a property owner’s duty to keep the place safe.
• A caretaker or handler — who was watching the dog when it attacked.

Defenses a dog owner can raise

Colorado’s law gives dog owners several defenses that can beat or limit a claim, so it helps to plan for them early:

• The victim was on the property without permission (for example, trespassing).
• The property was clearly posted with a “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog” sign.
• The dog was a working police or military dog doing its job.
• The victim provoked the dog.
• The victim was a vet, groomer, dog handler, or trainer on the job at the time.

Colorado also uses modified comparative negligence (C.R.S. § 13-21-111) — a rule for how blame is split. If you are found 49% or less at fault (say, for provoking the dog), your payment drops by your share. At 50% or more, you get nothing.

Attorney insight: What makes Denver dog bite cases complex?

Dog bite cases surprise most victims: a serious injury proves the owner is liable for medical bills, but not for the scarring and trauma that often hurt most.

What makes Denver dog bite claims tricky:

• The two-track law splits your damages. Under C.R.S. § 13-21-124, a serious bite makes the owner strictly liable, but only for economic losses like medical bills and lost wages. Recovering for pain, scarring, and trauma means proving the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous.
• “Serious bodily injury” decides which track applies. That term is defined by C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(p), and whether an injury meets it can be fought over. How the wound is documented and described can move a case onto or off the strict-liability track.
• Owners have several built-in defenses. The same statute lets an owner argue the victim provoked the dog, was trespassing, or was a vet, groomer, or handler on the job, among others. Planning for these arguments early keeps them from derailing the claim.
• Shared blame can cut or erase your recovery. Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule applies even to dog bites, so if you are found partly at fault — say, for provoking the dog — your damages drop by your share. At 50% or more, you recover nothing.
• The right insurance policy must be found and pursued. Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s home or renter’s insurance, not the owner personally. Identifying the correct policy early — and any others that apply — shapes what you can actually recover.

Being ready for trial means saving physical and digital evidence, working with medical and mental-health experts to document scarring and trauma, building the dog’s history, and preparing every case as if it may go before a jury.

What damages can you recover after a Denver dog bite?

What you can recover depends on which track fits your case. Economic (money) damages are available on both tracks. Non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages require proving the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous.

Economic damages usually include:

• Current and future medical bills, including surgery, reconstructive procedures, and rehab.
• Lost income and lost earning power during your recovery.
• Other out-of-pocket costs, like counseling and medication.

Non-economic damages — available only on the negligence track — cover pain and suffering, permanent scarring, and emotional distress.

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Legal note on Colorado’s damage caps

Economic damages like medical bills and lost wages have no cap in Colorado. Non-economic damages, when you can reach them through the negligence track, are capped by law. For cases filed on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado raised the cap on non-economic damages to $1.5 million under HB 24-1472. In cases of extreme or reckless behavior, you may also recover punitive damages — extra money meant to punish the wrongdoer — under C.R.S. § 13-21-102. Because the two-track law decides whether pain-and-suffering damages are even possible, careful records and legal strategy directly affect what a claim is worth.

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

You usually have two years from the date of the attack to file a dog bite claim in Colorado. Miss this deadline, and you usually lose the right to sue.

The clock can shift in a few narrow cases — most importantly, when the victim is a child. Then Colorado law may pause (toll) the deadline. Because many dog bite victims are children, it is important to confirm the right deadline for your situation.

Pitfall alert: don’t let reporting and evidence slip away

Waiting to report the attack or get treatment is one of the most damaging mistakes in a dog bite case. If the bite is not reported to Denver Animal Protection, there may be no official record of the attack, the quarantine, or the dog’s history — records that can decide the case on the negligence track. Photos of wounds also lose value as they heal, and an owner may rehome the dog or claim it is not theirs. Reporting fast and keeping records protect both your deadline and the proof behind your claim.

Why do you need a dog bite lawyer in Denver?

A lawyer levels the playing field against insurers built to pay as little as possible, as dog bite claims often involve unexpected legal complexities. Understanding these common hurdles is the first step toward protecting your recovery:

• Home and renter’s insurers protect their bottom line, often by fighting fault or downplaying scarring and emotional trauma.
• Navigating Colorado’s two-track legal system is difficult, as recovering pain-and-suffering damages requires clear proof of owner negligence.
• Dog owners frequently raise specific legal defenses, such as provocation or trespassing, to shift blame and avoid liability.

Opponent playbook

In Denver dog bite cases, insurers and owners often argue provocation — claiming the victim teased, cornered, or startled the dog. Or they argue the injury is not serious bodily injury, which is what triggers strict liability. Both arguments try to knock the claim off the strict-liability track and cut or wipe out pain-and-suffering damages. A lawyer fights back by getting the Denver Animal Protection report and any record of past incidents, proving the full extent of the injury through medical experts, and gathering witness accounts before memories fade.

What does the dog bite claim process look like?

Most claims follow the same path: a free consultation, an investigation, a demand and negotiation, and — if the insurer will not be fair — a lawsuit in Denver District Court.

1. Free consultation — we review the attack, your injuries, and which track fits your case.
2. Investigation — we gather the Denver Animal Protection report, medical records, photos, the dog’s history, and witness statements.
3. Demand and negotiation — we send a documented demand to the owner’s insurer.
4. Settlement or lawsuit — if talks stall, we file suit in the Second Judicial District (Denver District Court, 1437 Bannock St) and get ready for trial.

How long this takes depends on how serious the injuries are and how busy the court is.

How do you choose the right Denver dog bite lawyer?

Look for real experience with dog bite and injury cases, knowledge of Denver courts and insurers, clear communication, and a firm that is truly ready for trial — not just marketing slogans. To help you select the best representation, consider these critical questions:

• Does the firm have relevant experience?

For more than 20 years, Levine Law has represented hurt people across the Denver metro. Its results for injuries caused by another’s failure to control a known hazard include a $392,000 verdict (plus interest) for a tenant who broke her ankle on a defective staircase and a $960,000 settlement for a maintenance manager who fell on ice a property had failed to clear. A real track record matters more than advertising.

• Do they know the local courts and insurers?

Choose a lawyer who knows how cases move through Denver District Court (Colorado’s Second Judicial District) and how Front Range insurers work. Founding partner Jordan S. Levine helped shape Colorado law on holding insurers accountable in Crowell v. ICAO — the same insurer accountability that often decides dog bite claims.

• Are they ready to go to trial?

The best settlements often come when the insurer knows your lawyer will go to trial. Levine Law’s attorneys hold an AV Preeminent rating — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer rating for a lawyer’s legal ability and ethical standards — and have been recognized by Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers (each recognition reflects that group’s own standards).

• Are the fees clear?

Levine Law works on contingency — “No Win, No Fee”. You owe no attorney’s fee unless we recover for you, and consultations are free.

Client testimonials

Levine Law’s clients often describe steady communication and close attention after a serious injury.

“No better lawyer, with a true passion for justice, anywhere.” — Gail Case, Facebook review

You can read more verified reviews on our Levine Law Reviews page.

Disclaimer: Client reviews are individual experiences and are not a guarantee of any particular result.

Case results that reflect real experience

Levine Law does not yet have a dog-bite-specific verdict or settlement on record online, but the results below turn on the same principle a dog bite case does: someone was hurt because another person ignored a danger they knew about. The firm has held property owners and drivers to that standard before, and can bring the same approach to a dog bite claim:

• $392,000 verdict (plus interest) — a tenant fell on a defective staircase in her apartment and broke her ankle. Her medical bills came to about $77,000, but the insurer had offered only $500.
• $960,000 settlement — a maintenance manager fell on ice a property had failed to clear and needed back surgery.

More outcomes are listed on our Cases & Verdicts page.

Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every case is decided on its own facts.

Areas served

Levine Law represents dog bite victims throughout the Denver metro and Front Range, including:

• Aurora
• Lakewood
• Glendale
• Boulder
• Colorado Springs
• Fort Collins
• Loveland

We also handle related injury matters, including premises liability, traumatic brain injuries, and other personal injury claims.

Local resources

Hospitals & Emergency Care in Denver

• Denver Health Medical Center — the only Level I trauma center in the City of Denver; 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204
• Saint Joseph Hospital — 1375 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
• HCA HealthONE Rose Medical Center — 4567 E 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80220
• HCA HealthONE Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center — 1719 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

Reporting & agencies

• Denver Animal Protection — dog bite reports and quarantine
• Denver Police Department Records — records line 720-913-6029
• Colorado Revised Statutes — Dog Bite Law (C.R.S. § 13-21-124)

Courts

• Denver District Court (Second Judicial District) — City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80202

Disclaimer: We provide these resources for convenience only; we do not endorse or profit from them.

Frequently asked questions

Is a dog owner automatically at fault for a bite in Colorado?

Not for everything. Under C.R.S. § 13-21-124, an owner is strictly liable for money damages if the dog caused serious bodily injury or death — even if they did not know the dog was dangerous. To recover for pain and scarring, you must prove the owner was careless. Denver Animal Protection records often support these claims.

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

You usually have two years from the date of the attack under C.R.S. § 13-80-102. If the victim is a child, the deadline may be paused (tolled). Because many dog bite victims are children, confirm your exact deadline early — before evidence and the Denver Animal Protection record fade.

What counts as “serious bodily injury” in a Colorado dog bite case?

Under C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(p), it includes a real risk of death, long-lasting scarring, long-lasting loss or damage to a body part, or breaks, fractures, and second- or third-degree burns. This definition decides whether the strict-liability track applies, which is why records from Denver Health matter.

What defenses can a dog owner raise in Denver?

Colorado’s law lets owners argue the victim was trespassing, that the property was posted “Beware of Dog,” that the victim provoked the dog, that the dog was a working police or military dog, or that the victim was a vet, groomer, or handler on the job (C.R.S. § 13-21-124). Planning for these defenses is key.

Whose insurance pays for a dog bite in Denver?

Usually the dog owner’s home or renter’s insurance policy pays for a bite. Finding the right policy early — along with the Denver Animal Protection report and the dog’s history — is a key step in pursuing a claim under C.R.S. § 13-21-124.

Contact a Denver dog bite lawyer today

If you or your child was bitten by a dog in the Denver area, Levine Law is here 24/7 to review your claim and explain your options at no cost.

Contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Attorney Review Disclosure

This content has been reviewed by the attorneys at Levine Law to help ensure its accuracy and compliance with applicable Colorado law. Legal services are provided by attorneys licensed to practice in the State of Colorado.

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4500 Cherry Creek S Dr #400
Denver, CO 80246
24/7 Hotline: (303) 333-8000

Other Cases We Take On

Beyond dog bites, Levine Law helps injured Coloradans across many practice areas:

• Premises Liability
• Slip & Fall Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Catastrophic Injury
• Wrongful Death
• Nursing Home Abuse

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; every case is evaluated on its own facts. This content has been prepared for review by Colorado-licensed attorneys at Levine Law.