Weld County Dog Bite Lawyer
Often, dog bites can leave injuries in the form of an infection or scar. Luckily, the personal injury laws in Colorado enable victims of dog bites to file a claim for recovery through the owner of the dog.
You only have two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim for a dog bite incident. Waiting beyond this window could cause your case to be thrown out of court and dismissed in full. By hiring a Weld County dog bite lawyer immediately after the accident, you may be able to increase the likelihood of receiving compensation for your injuries. To learn more about your options for recovery, contact a determined injury attorney today.
What is Negligence and Strict Liability in a Dog Bite Case?
The laws in Colorado address two different issues in dog bite cases: negligence and strict liability. If the dog bite led to serious injury or death, the strict liability rule would hold the owner of the dog accountable. This is the case even if the dog’s owner did not know that their animal would behave aggressively or bite.
If the injury is not a deadly or serious one, the injured person would pursue a case under the negligence theory. The plaintiff must argue that the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in restraining or controlling the dog and that because of this failure, an injury occurred.
If the victim is accused of provoking the dog and this theory holds up in court arguments, then Colorado’s modified comparative fault rule applies. The percentage of fault would be assigned to the involved parties and the victim’s payments are reduced based on their assigned percentage of fault.
Injuries Resulting from a Dog Bite
Injuries sustained as a direct result of a dog attack may incur a wide variance of injuries. Victims should contact a Weld County dog bite lawyer for assistance if they have sustained any of the following injuries:
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of any organ, body part, or limb
- Death
What are the Common Expenses for Victims in Dog Bite Cases?
A dog bite victim might have several different kinds of expenses to pay and cope with following an accident. Victims may have to pay for medical treatment, plastic surgery to deal with an unsightly scar, and medication.
The inclusion of the right evidence is vital for the success of a plaintiff’s dog bite claim. The plaintiff should be able to show that they were injured because of the dog bite. This is often shown through medical records, photos, video evidence, and testimony from treating physicians.
Hiring a Weld County Dog Bite Attorney
Dog owners may personally work with you to negotiate a cash settlement. While this might lead to a fast resolution, it is not guaranteed that you would be able to cover all of your expenses from this payment.
The payment offered by the insurance company of the homeowner may not even offer you a fair amount for the dog bite settlement. The only way to protect your right to full and fair compensation for all injuries, including scarring and disfigurement, is to file a lawsuit with the help of a Weld County dog bite lawyer. An attorney can help you navigate the complex situation of returning to normal life after a shocking dog bite accident.
