Thousands of people each year are bitten and attacked by animals—usually by dogs. In many of these cases, due to the lack of responsibility of the animal’s owner, the victim of such a heinous attack may be able to collect damages and ultimately be compensated afterward.
Dog bites and animal attacks usually fall within the realm of premises liability law, which means that the owner and/or occupier of said premises must ensure the common areas, sidewalks and buildings are safe from danger to the general public. It is the duty of the owner and/or occupier to provide a reasonably safe environment on his or her property for visitors, guests and customers—anyone who lawfully visits said property.
In Colorado, when a toy display falls and injures a child, a customer slips and falls and is injured on icy steps outside of a department store or an apartment complex fails to provide proper security measures and a sexual assault occurs in the hallway, the property owners can be held liable.
If a pet owner has any knowledge of his or hers pet vicious tendencies towards aggression in Colorado, including breed, temperament and negligent histories, and does not take the proper steps towards restraint, securing the animal or preventing any harmful situation, the pet owner can be held liable for any injury his or her pet may cause under the premise of “dangerous propensity.”
If you or someone you know in the state of Colorado has fallen victim to a dog bite or animal attack, contact a knowledgeable Colorado personal injury attorney, and allow them to begin the recovery you deserve, bringing justice to an otherwise preventable situation.
Often referred to by their owners as “gentle lovers,” “member of the family” or “another child,” large bred canines when properly trained and cared for can be excellent and very trustworthy pets. However, when these same breeds are abused, neglected and mistreated, they can and often do develop a most serious and dangerous disposition.
Some canine breeds that are frequently involved in attacks:
• Pit Bull
• Akita
• Bulldog
• Boxer
In the state of Colorado, there are five classes of dog bites:
• Those people “unlawfully on public or private property,” those people on properties with “clearly and conspicuously marked with one or more posted signs stating ‘no trespassing’ or ‘beware of dog,’ those people “knowingly provoking the dog,’ or those people performing the duties of a veterinary healthcare worker, dog groomer, humane agency staff person, professional dog handler, trainer or dog show judge
• People whom neither suffered serious bodily injury nor can prove the requirements of Colorado’s “one-bite rule”
• People who suffer “serious bodily injury”
• People who can prove the elements required by the “one-bite rule” or any other cause of action
• People who can satisfy the requirements for the “one-bite rule” or any other cause of action, suffered serious bodily injury AND suffered from physical impairment and/or disfigurement
Regardless of what class you or someone you know falls into after experiencing such a traumatic experience, contacting an experienced Colorado personal injury attorney will increase the compensation of damages deserved.
Responsible pet owners can carry a policy on their homeowner’s insurance that helps to cover injuries on their property by animal attacks and dog bites. The treatment for these attacks can often be costly, take time away from your personal life, and in severe cases, leave permanent scarring. Contact a fast-acting Colorado personal injury attorney that will get you the compensation and recovery you deserve after experiencing an animal attack in Colorado.
In some cases, counseling may be needed to cope with the traumatic experience. Don’t take on the system alone! Make sure you get the full recovery and necessary compensation you deserve.
Free case evaluation. Contact us now!
