We love our furry pets, but the fact that dogs are our friends and companions makes an attack by a snarling, snapping dog even more horrifying. If you’ve suffered serious dog bite injuries in Colorado, it can be difficult to keep a clear head and take the practical necessary steps to recover—both physically and financially.
Unlike the handful of states with a “one-bite rule” where dog owners are only held accountable after their dog bites one time and they know the dog is capable of biting, Colorado holds pet owners strictly liable for damages from the moment they take ownership, regardless of the dog’s history.
After a dog bite in Colorado, it’s important to know what to do, first, at the scene of the attack, and in the days and weeks that follow.
What to Do When Attacked by a Dog in Colorado
Dog attacks are terrifying and traumatic. When you’ve suffered one or more bites, you need medical attention if the bites have broken the skin. If the dog has already been restrained, you can take the following steps to protect yourself physically and financially:
- First, use your phone to call 911 to request emergency services if your injuries are severe. Otherwise, make arrangements for transportation to a hospital
- Use your cell phone camera to take pictures of your injuries or ask an uninjured person to help you take photos
- Take photos of the dog if it’s still nearby
- Add the contact information of the dog’s owner to your phone if they are present
- Add the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the attack
- Report the attack to the animal control office in the county where the attack occurred
Always report dog bites to animal control. This documents the attack and also alerts authorities to the fact that there is a dangerous dog so they can place the dog in a mandatory 10-day quarantine to test for rabies and other communicable diseases.
After any animal bite that breaks the skin, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible. A dog’s teeth have bacteria that often cause infection after a bite.
What to Do In The Days Following a Dog Bite in Colorado
At the hospital, the medical provider will evaluate and treat your wounds. In rare circumstances, you may require preventative rabies vaccinations depending on the dog’s rabies status. In most cases, stitches, bandages, and antibiotics repair the damage, but severe bites or facial wounds may require surgery.
Ask the doctor for a detailed medical report of your injuries, the recommendations for treatment, and your prognosis for recovery. Call a Colorado dog bite lawyer who can help you file a claim for your damages.
How Does a Dog Bite Claim in Colorado Work?
Dog bites require expensive medical treatment. Most dog bite victims fully recover, but may have expensive medical bills and missed work days. Other bites are more serious, such as those that result in the loss of fingers, toes, or extremities, or cause facial disfigurement. A successful claim for damages brings compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and if appropriate, compensation for disfigurement or traumatic limb loss. Some dog bite victims also recover compensation for emotional damages.
Financial compensation in a Colorado dog bite claim typically comes from the dog owner’s property liability insurance, even if the dog attack did not occur on the owner’s property. Unless you were trespassing on private property clearly marked with no trespassing signs or were bitten while committing a crime, you can recover financial compensation for your pain and trauma.
Contact A Westminster Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have suffered from the traumatic incident of being attacked by an aggressive and dangerous dog, you need to get in touch with a Westminster personal injury attorney. Our legal team has over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury, and we can be your advocate during this difficult time. Contact us or call us at (303) 451-0300 today.