What to Know About Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws
Dog bites are a serious matter. They can cause injuries, such as infection, that might not be immediately visible but have the potential to cause even more damage over time. For some, dog bites are even life-threatening. Sometimes, these injuries are so severe that they require reconstructive surgery or amputation of an extremity.
If you have been the victim of a dog bite, you should consider speaking with a dog attack attorney to discuss your legal options.
Who Is Liable for Damages in a Dog Bite Case?
According to Colorado’s dog bite laws, the owner of the dog is liable for any damages caused by their dog if it inflicts injury on another person. When this occurs, the injured party may be able to charge emotional distress damages in addition to medical expenses. Here are some important things you should know about Colorado’s dog bite laws:
Colorado Laws for Liability in Dog Bite Cases
In Colorado, you are legally responsible for your dog in all situations. That means that if your dog bites someone, no matter where they are, you are responsible. This is why it is important to make sure that your dog is under control at all times.
It also does not matter if your dog is vicious or not. Your dog’s viciousness or lack of viciousness can affect what types of damages can be collected, but you are still liable for economic damages in any case.
Previous Bites Make the Punishment Worse
If you are bit by a dog that has previous offenses, or that the owner knew or should have known to be dangerous, then you can collect both economic damages (related to medical treatment and other monetary costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, as well as similar causes of action).
In order to recover non-economic damages, you will have to prove that the dog has previous documented offenses. Otherwise, you can only collect economic damages.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Personal Injury Cases in Colorado
According to Colorado Revised Statutes 2017 Title 13, you have two years from the date of the incident to take legal action against the owner of the dog. Dog bites are covered by the personal injury statute of limitations in §13-80-102 (a), which follows the general rules of statutes of limitation.
If you do not file by the deadline, your case will not be accepted by the court. You have exactly two years from the date of the incident. Contact a dog bite accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you file in time.
Potential Injuries from Dog Bites
Dog bites can carry several potential injuries that require medical attention, the first of which is puncture wounds. Puncture wounds from dog teeth, particularly the fangs, can do a lot of damage and cause severe bleeding that requires medical attention.
Tissue, nerve, and muscle damage are also possible outcomes of a dog bite. These can be lasting problems that need ongoing medical care to address. These severe injuries are also one of the leading reasons why you may want to take legal action. You will need help to cover those medical costs.
Finally, treatment for rabies may be needed depending on the vaccination of the dog. Rabies is treatable, but only within the first twenty-four hours after infection. If you are bitten by a dog, get medical attention immediately to make sure that you receive rabies treatment if needed. An untreated rabies infection is fatal.
Contact a Colorado Dog Bite Lawyer at Mintz Law Firm Today
The skilled lawyers at Mintz Law Firm have over thirty years of experience helping clients in Colorado. We understand that the Colorado legal system can be overwhelming, and you should be focused on recovering after your dog bite injury. Our knowledgeable dog bite lawyers can help you navigate the claims process to pursue compensation for your dog bite injury. To schedule a free consultation, you can contact us here or call (303) 462-2999.