Negligence in Denver Dog Bite Cases

If you have been attacked by a dog, you may be eligible for compensation. Therefore, you should reach out to a skilled lawyer who is experienced in assigning negligence in Denver dog bite cases. A well-established dog bite attorney could fight to ensure that you are able to recover the damages that you deserve. Call today to learn more about how an attorney could help you.

Contributory Negligence

Contributory negligence refers to the negligent conduct on the part of the injured person. When a plaintiff is found to be contributorily negligent, the damages they may recover are diminished. Colorado Rev. Stat. § 13-20-111 states that contributory negligence does not bar recovery when the claimant’s negligence is not greater than the defendant’s. This means the plaintiff must be less than 50 percent at fault to recover damages. When an individual is more than 50 percent at fault, they are barred from recovery.

Comparative Negligence

Colorado is a contributory negligence state, but there are two approaches to comparative negligence. Under the comparative fault system, the injured party’s negligence does not completely bar recovery. The amount of damages the person can recover is based on their percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff was awarded $10,000 but a judge or jury determined that the plaintiff was 25 percent responsible for their accident, then their recovery would be $7,500. It is important to remember that a plaintiff does not recover if they are found to be equally or more responsible for the resulting injury. For more information about comparative negligence in Denver dog bite cases, consult with a lawyer.

How Liability Can Impact a Person’s Ability to Recover Damages

The slightest bit of liability on the part of the injured person can reduce the amount of dog bite damages that they are entitled to recover. The contributory negligence standard is in place to make sure the injured party does not cause the incident to get a windfall. If these measures were not in place, the floodgates would open up and allow people to instigate issues to recover compensation from insurance companies. Circumstances that might impact a person’s ability to recover damages include inciting or provoking the dog. When someone provokes a dog to attack them, they may have trouble recovering damages for their injuries. An attorney could further help someone understand how negligence in Denver dog bite cases impacts their case.

How a Dog Bite Attorney in Denver Could Help Assign Negligence

An attorney could assist someone who might be affected by contributory or comparative negligence by evaluating the facts of the case and refuting the arguments made by the other side. This might help strengthen the injured party’s claim. If you have been injured after being bitten by a dog, contact a lawyer who is capable of assigning negligence in Denver dog bite cases. An accomplished attorney could advocate on your behalf to make sure that you are able to recover compensation. Call today to schedule a consultation with a dedicated and compassionate legal professional. The sooner an attorney is contacted, the sooner they can begin working on your case.