CALL (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a pueblo Dog bite attorney
Dogs are a man’s best friend, and can be lifelong companions and members of your family; but even the most well-trained and friendliest dogs can suddenly and without warning attack people. Sometimes, dog bites can cause severe physical and emotional injuries; when a dog attacks unexpectedly and without warning, the incident may leave victims traumatized and unsure of what to do next. You may be considering whether to file a lawsuit or hire an attorney.
If you or a loved one has been bit by a dog in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with our Pueblo dog bite lawyers. We can help you seek compensation to pay for any medical expenses or damages that have been incurred by your family as a result of the attack.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDog Attacks can cause severe injuries
When a dog attacks you, there are different kinds of injuries you may suffer. A severe dog bite can leave you with multiple injuries, some of which may include:
- open wounds
- broken bones
- nerve damage
- organ tears or punctures
- rabies
- scarring
- permanent disfigurement
- other kinds of injuries
Sometimes, a dog attack can be fatal. Young children and senior citizens are among those most likely to suffer severe injuries when attacked and bitten by a dog.
Less severe injuries can include bruises and skin tearing. Regardless of the severity of the injury, the number one concern with dog bites is that an open wound will become infected.
A dog bite can also cause emotional injuries; a person may experience anxiety, depression, high stress levels, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being attacked and bitten by a dog. Signs of PTSD include vivid flashbacks of the attack, nightmares, trouble sleeping, and other intense emotional reactions. Emotional injuries can last for years after the attack.
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Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultationseek medical attention
It is very important that if you have been bitten by a dog you seek medical attention within eight hours of the attack. When you see your doctor, they will first ask you questions about what happened and about the dog that bit you; they will then clean the wound if you did not already and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. You should follow your doctor’s treatment plan to ensure your dog bite wound does not become infected, for infection can lead to sickness or worsen your injury.
Your doctor may recommend you get a tetanus shot if you did not get one recently. If your wound is very deep, your doctor may recommend that you get stitches to prevent scarring, and if the dog’s bite caused permanent disfigurement to your body, you may need to undergo surgery. Your doctor might also recommend rehabilitation programs as part of your treatment.
If you suffered emotional injuries, you may want to see a psychologist or other mental health professional; a psychologist can counsel you and assist you in overcoming the trauma caused by the incident. You may also want to see a psychiatrist, who may prescribe medication for reducing anxiety or depression caused by the attack.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationReport the attack
As soon as you can, report the attack to the local authorities. Alerting the police of a dangerous dog may help prevent future attacks. The police will ask you questions about what happened, what kind of dog bit you, and other details of the attack.
It is especially important to report the dog attack if you were bitten by a stray or cannot locate the dog’s owner. Your local authorities can try and use the information you provided to track down the dog or owner and prevent future attacks.
If you sought medical attention after the attack, Colorado law requires your doctor to report the bite within 12 hours, even if your injuries are not severe. You should still report the attack on your own so that the police will have your contact information and can get details about what happened from you, instead of from a third party.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDocument the incident
After you have been bit by a dog, document what happened. This can include taking pictures of the dog, any injuries you suffered, and the location of the accident. You may also want to write down what happened so that if you choose to sue, you will be able to provide your Colorado injury attorney with detailed information; be sure to write down the time the attack took place.
When you can, document the name and contact information of the dog’s owner, recording this information on paper or in your cell phone. Be sure to ask the owner about the dog’s breed, age, name, and other important information that will help you identify the dog. If you do not want to ask for this information on your own, you can call the police and wait until they arrive to assist you in documenting the incident.
CASE RESULTS
contact a colorado dog bite attorney
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact a Pueblo dog bite lawyer. A Pueblo dog bite lawyer can help you recover money from the dog’s owner.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
You can file a claim against a dog’s owner up to two years after the attack. Even if the dog bite did not cause a severe injury, you should still contact an attorney to help you seek compensation. Although you have two years to file a claim, you should contact a Pueblo dog bite lawyer sooner than that so you can provide them with accurate details of the incident and so they will have time to investigate.
What Do I Need to Prove to Recover Money for My Injuries?
When you file a claim against a dog’s owner, you may be able to recover money from them. Colorado has a “one-bite rule” that allows a dog owner to assume their dog is not dangerous until the dog displays behavior that proves otherwise. However, this does not apply in all cases.
If a dog bites you while you are lawfully on a property or if the bite causes serious bodily injury or death, the one bite rule does not apply and the owner could be held liable regardless of whether the dog has been violent or dangerous before. Colorado law defines a serious bodily injury as one that is life threatening, requires cosmetic surgery, or requires professional medical attention. Whether you suffered a serious bodily injury or something less severe, you should contact an attorney to help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
How Will I Be Compensated for My Injuries?
Colorado law says that victims of dog bites can be compensated for economic damages. This means that you may be compensated for past and future medical bills, psychological costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, or other monetary costs.
If you suffer from emotional injuries as a result of the bite, such as PTSD or anxiety, you may also be able to be compensated for those injuries. For these injuries, Colorado law limits the amount of money that you are able to recover.
If your claim is successful, you can ask permission from the court that the dog be euthanized; the court will have to approve euthanasia, and they will only approve euthanasia if the dog has a history of dangerous behavior that the owner knew of. If approved, the dog’s owner is responsible for paying for the costs; a licensed shelter or qualified veterinarian can perform the service. While this might seem extreme, this can prevent future similar attacks.
There are certain circumstances where the law does not allow for compensation. These include if:
- You were trespassing.
- The owner had clear signs stating the dog was dangerous that you ignored.
- You provoked the dog.
- You were working in a professional capacity with the dog at the time of the attack (examples: police or military dogs, veterinarian, dog groomer).
- The dog was hunting on its owner’s property and under its owner’s control.
An attorney can help you determine what your best course of action is and help you seek compensation for any past or future expenses. A personal injury attorney near you, in Pueblo, will be most familiar with the laws and exceptions applicable to your case, so it is recommended that you contact Zinda Law and schedule your initial case evaluation today.
Zinda law group can help you if you have been bit by a dog in colorado
Being bitten by a dog can cause severe physical and emotional injuries. At Zinda Law Group, our experienced Pueblo dog bite lawyers can help you seek compensation for the injuries you suffered. Our attorneys have helped countless victims of dog attacks and have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and all the other ways your injury has cost you.
Zinda Law Group believes a victim of a dog attack should never have to worry about their ability to afford legal representation; that is why we offer free consultations. We also believe that you should not have to pay unless our attorneys achieve a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your personal injury case. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
If you or a loved one has been bit by a dog in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free consultation with our experienced Pueblo dog bite lawyers. The road to recovery starts with a single, free phone call.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
