Colorado Springs Dog Bite Lawyer

dog bite lawyer Colorado Springs, CO

Dog Bite Lawyer Colorado Springs, CO

If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Colorado Springs, you may be dealing with more than just a wound. Dog bites cause puncture injuries that become infected easily. They tear muscle and damage nerves. Attacks to the face leave permanent scars. Children suffer the worst injuries because dogs can reach their heads and necks.

Colorado law holds dog owners strictly liable for bite injuries in most situations. The owner pays for your medical bills and other damages regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before. But insurance companies that cover these claims fight hard to minimize what they pay. They argue the victim provoked the dog or trespassed on private property.

Ganderton Law Personal Injury Law Firm has represented dog bite victims throughout Colorado for more than 20 years. We understand how homeowners insurance policies handle these claims and what it takes to recover full compensation. Our Colorado Springs, CO dog bite lawyer offers free consultations and works on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Why Choose Ganderton Law Personal Injury Law Firm for Dog Bite Cases in Colorado Springs, CO?

Exposed to Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws

David Ganderton founded this firm and has spent his career representing injury victims across El Paso County. Dog bite cases require understanding Colorado’s strict liability statute and how it interacts with homeowners insurance coverage. David knows what evidence strengthens these claims and how to counter the defenses insurance companies raise.

David graduated from Stetson University College of Law and holds bar admissions in Colorado, Wyoming, and Florida. He belongs to the Denver Bar Association and El Paso Bar Association. The Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce appointed him as an ambassador, keeping him connected to Colorado Springs and its residents.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in Colorado Springs, CO, David brings two decades of experience to your dog bite claim.

Courtroom Reputation That Matters

Insurance companies evaluate claims based partly on who represents the injured person. David has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers. The Colorado Springs Gazette named him “Best Personal Injury Attorney,” “Best Lawyer,” and “Best Law Firm” in their “Best of the Springs” awards.

Adjusters know which attorneys file lawsuits and which ones accept lowball offers. That knowledge shapes every settlement discussion from the first phone call.

Millions Recovered for Injured Clients

Ganderton Law Personal Injury Law Firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts throughout El Paso County. We have handled cases involving severe lacerations, nerve damage, and disfiguring facial injuries caused by dog attacks. Past outcomes depend on case-specific facts, but they demonstrate our ability to build claims that produce real compensation.

No Fees Unless You Win

We work on contingency. No hourly billing. No retainer. Our fee comes from the compensation we recover, and only if we succeed. That structure removes financial barriers when you’re already facing medical expenses and time away from work.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“David Ganderton and Sean Edgren and the team at Ganderton Law are truly exceptional. From the moment you walk into the office, you’re treated with respect and genuine care. David is knowledgeable, approachable, and takes the time to explain everything clearly, while the entire team is friendly, responsive, and supportive throughout the process. Sean is a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney who handles family law and criminal matters with professionalism and care. He communicates clearly, stays focused on his clients’ best interests, and is someone you can trust during difficult situations. You never feel like just another case.” — Dulce Rodriguez

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Colorado Springs

Dog attacks happen in many circumstances, and the injuries range from minor to life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and roughly one in five requires medical attention. Here are the dog bite case types we handle for Colorado Springs residents:

  • Attacks on public property. Dogs that escape their yards or break free from leashes attack pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists on sidewalks and in parks. Owners bear full responsibility for these attacks under Colorado’s strict liability law.
  • Bites on private property. Visitors lawfully present on someone’s property have protection under Colorado law. A guest bitten by the homeowner’s dog can pursue compensation through the owner’s insurance.
  • Attacks on children. Kids suffer dog bite injuries at higher rates than adults. Their small size puts their faces and necks within reach of most dogs. These attacks cause traumatic brain injuries, facial disfigurement, and lasting psychological trauma.
  • Postal worker and delivery driver attacks. Mail carriers, package delivery drivers, and service workers face elevated risk of dog bites. Their employers may have subrogation rights, which adds complexity to these claims.
  • Attacks by known dangerous dogs. Some dogs have histories of aggression. Owners who fail to restrain these animals despite knowing the risk may face enhanced liability, including potential punitive damages.
  • Multi-dog attacks. Packs of dogs or multiple animals from the same household cause severe injuries. Determining which dog caused which injury affects how insurance coverage applies.

Colorado Legal Requirements for Dog Bite Claims

Colorado law provides strong protections for dog bite victims, but deadlines and rules affect your ability to recover compensation.

The statute of limitations gives you two years from the bite date to file a lawsuit under C.R.S. § 13-80-102. This deadline is shorter than the three-year limit for most personal injury claims. Miss it and you lose your right to pursue compensation in court.

Colorado’s dog bite statute imposes strict liability on owners for serious bodily injury caused by their dogs under C.R.S. § 13-21-124. Serious bodily injury means broken bones, disfigurement, or any injury requiring surgical intervention. For these injuries, the owner pays regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous.

For injuries that don’t meet the serious bodily injury threshold, Colorado applies a negligence standard. You must prove the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling their dog. Evidence that the dog had previously shown aggression or that the owner violated leash laws helps establish negligence.

Colorado recognizes limited defenses to dog bite claims. Owners can argue the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing. They can also claim the victim was a veterinarian or other professional who accepted the risk of working with animals. Insurance adjusters raise these defenses routinely, even when the facts don’t support them.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Colorado Springs Dog Bite Cases?

Dog bites cause injuries that range from superficial wounds to catastrophic injuries. The compensation you pursue should reflect the full impact on your life. Colorado recognizes three categories of damages.

Economic damages cover losses you can document with bills and records. Medical expenses typically form the largest component. Emergency room treatment, wound cleaning, stitches, tetanus shots, antibiotics, rabies prophylaxis, reconstructive surgery, and physical therapy all count. Severe bites to hands and arms cause nerve damage that requires specialized treatment. Dog attacks that knock victims to the ground cause back injuries and neck injuries beyond the bite itself. Lost wages during recovery are recoverable. Future medical costs matter when scarring requires additional procedures.

Non-economic damages address what receipts cannot measure. Beyond physical suffering, bite victims develop fear of dogs that affects how they move through the world. Children who suffer attacks experience nightmares and anxiety that persist for years. Visible scars on faces, arms, and hands change how victims see themselves and how others perceive them. Colorado does not cap non-economic damages in most dog bite cases.

Punitive damages apply when the owner’s conduct was especially reckless. An owner who knew their dog had attacked before and failed to restrain it might face punitive damages. Courts require clear evidence of willful disregard for safety. The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act limits damages when government-owned dogs cause injuries.

Contact Ganderton Law Personal Injury Law Firm

A dog bite can cause injuries that affect you for the rest of your life. Scars don’t fade completely. Fear of dogs doesn’t disappear on its own. Medical bills and lost wages create financial strain while you’re still recovering.

We handle dog bite cases in Colorado Springs and throughout El Paso County on a contingency-fee basis. We collect nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Consultations are free and confidential. Our Colorado Springs dog bite attorney has spent 20 years helping injury victims, and we are ready to fight for you.

Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation.