Angry german shepherd dog biting hand of stranger.

Aurora Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog attacks can be traumatic and lead to severe and sometimes fatal injuries. If you or someone you love suffered a dog bite injury in Aurora, CO, The Wilhite Law Firm can help you seek compensation from the dog’s owner for medical expenses and more.

Our Aurora dog bite lawyers can put our law firm’s decades of legal experience behind demanding the money you need to heal. Let us deal with insurance claims, negotiations, and other case details while you focus on your health. Call now or contact us online for a free consultation.

What Are Common Injuries from Dog Bites?

Dog bites can cause serious harm, including tears to the skin, deep puncture wounds, and severe bruising. These injuries may result in nerve and tendon damage or permanent scarring and disfigurement.

In addition, the Cleveland Clinic warns that around half of all dog bites introduce bacteria, including staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pasteurella, that can cause infections and illnesses. Unvaccinated or feral animals can also carry and transfer rabies.

Unfortunately, dog attacks can also be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) reports that dog attacks cause an average of 43 deaths annually.

What Should I Do After a Dog Bite Injury in Aurora?

If a dog bites you, you should take the following steps to protect your health:

  • Clean the wound thoroughly using mild soap.
  • Stop any bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
  • Apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream or ointment.
  • Cover the wound with a sterile bandage and keep it covered until you get medical treatment.
  • See a doctor as soon as possible.
  • Change your bandages several times daily after getting treatment.
  • Continue to monitor for signs of infection, including pain, swelling, redness, or fever.

Once you are safe and on the road to healing, you can take steps to help any legal action you may take. To protect your right to seek compensation after a dog bite injury in Aurora, you should:

  • Report the bite to Aurora Animal Control Field Services. Animal control may be able to tell you if the dog is up to date on vaccinations. Contacting the agency will also create an official record for your claim.
  • Collect available evidence. You should get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner, photographs of your injuries, records from your medical treatment, and proof of any bite-related expenses and losses.
  • File an insurance claim. Many homeowners and renters insurance policies cover dog bite injuries, whether or not they occurred on the covered property. You should notify the insurance company and file claims as soon as possible.
  • Contact an attorney. Consider contacting our Aurora dog bite lawyers to learn more about your legal options and how our law firm can protect your rights and future.

What Are the Laws for Dog Bites in Aurora, CO?

Colorado uses both strict liability and negligence to determine fault for dog bite injuries.

Strict Liability Claims

Strict liability means that a dog owner (or the person in control of the animal at the time of the attack) is financially responsible for a bite – regardless of whether they were aware of their dog’s viciousness. Colorado applies strict liability to dog bites in cases involving serious bodily injury, including:

  • Breaks and fractures
  • Significant risk of severe impairment
  • Significant risk of serious, permanent disfigurement
  • Significant risk of loss of bodily function
  • Significant risk of death

If the victim was legally on public or private property, the dog’s owner must pay for their medical expenses, lost income, and other economic losses.

Negligence Claims

For cases not involving serious injuries, dog bite victims must prove that the dog’s owner acted negligently. They must show that the owner did not take reasonable care or exercise precautions to keep others safe. Negligence claims can cover both economic and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.

What Compensation Can I Receive for an Aurora Dog Bite Injury Claim?

Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation for a dog bite injury in Aurora may include:

  • Medical expenses, including ambulance transportation, emergency services, surgeries, hospital and doctor bills, antibiotic treatments, medications, and physical therapy
  • Lost income, including wages lost due to missed work and compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injury interferes with your long-term work capabilities
  • Physical pain and suffering, including chronic pain, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of mobility
  • Mental distress and emotional anguish, including stress, depression, fear, trauma, and reduced quality of life
  • Wrongful death of a loved one, including medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased’s income and services, and survivors’ pain, suffering, and grief

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit in Aurora?

Our legal team will aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to seek the maximum compensation possible for your dog bite injury. However, if we cannot secure a full and fair settlement or an insurance claim is not an option, we can file a dog bite lawsuit.

Colorado law allows two years to file most personal injury cases. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you may be unable to recover money for your losses. Do not wait too long to get started.

Why Choose The Wilhite Law Firm for Your Dog Bite Injury Case?

Since 1977, The Wilhite Law Firm has fought for personal injury victims in Colorado. We have secured over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for people harmed by negligence, including a $150,000 settlement for a dog attack. We know how to build strong claims and support our clients at every stage.

Our legal team can:

  • Investigate your dog attack and gather evidence, including medical records, police reports, and eyewitness statements
  • Establish that you have a severe injury if applicable
  • Prove negligence when necessary
  • Draft and file insurance claims and case paperwork
  • Aggressively negotiate on your behalf
  • Protect you from bad-faith insurance tactics or pressure to accept a lowball settlement
  • File a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in civil court if needed

Along the way, we will guide you with personalized attention and first-rate customer service. We believe our numerous positive testimonials, like the following, speak to our commitment to our clients:

“The team that Rob [Wilhite] has put together is truly fantastic. Everyone from the pre-litigation to the litigation team really cares about the client. They will fight for you to get you what you deserve.” – Kristen Miner

Contact an Aurora Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

The Wilhite Law Firm can help you seek justice for your dog bite injury. Contact us online or call today for a free consultation and learn more about how an Aurora dog bite attorney can take your case with no upfront cost to you.