Attorney’s Choice – The Bulldog Other Attorneys Hire
Attorney’s Choice – The Bulldog Other Attorneys Hire
It is no secret Colorado Springs loves dogs. BringFido, a website for pet-friendly places, named Colorado Springs as one of the top 5 pet-friendly cities. With more dogs and dog-friendly businesses, dogs are everywhere, but not all dogs are friendly. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. 1 in 5 of those bites require medical attention.
It is essential to understand your legal rights after a dog bite. Kim Welch is a Colorado Springs dog bite lawyer who has helped multiple clients in dog bite cases. Contact her now.
Any dog can bite regardless of the breed, and it can be difficult to predict when a dog bite is about to happen. Kim Welch Law is one of the most trusted dog bite attorneys handling bite cases and holding owners liable for the damage their dogs do. Colorado practices “strict liability” in dog bite cases, meaning victims do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was a bite risk. Any dog bite victim is entitled to make a claim for damages from the dog owner. However, if the victim was illegally trespassing or ignoring warning signs when the bite happened, the owner may not be liable. Kim Welch Law will navigate the claims process to get you adequately compensated.
If you are the victim of a dog bite, Kim Welch Law is one of the premier dog bite attorneys in Colorado Springs. If the dog owner is found liable, Kim Welch will fight for fair compensation. Compensation may include recovery costs for all medical expenses, including reconstructive surgery, in-home rehabilitation, lost wages and benefits, future lost income, reduced earning capacity, and funeral costs. While you focus on healing, Kim Welch Law will secure a fair settlement.
Larger dogs can cause more damage, and the damage can be devastating. Injuries include:
In addition to physical injuries, a dog bite can cause emotional distress and anguish. Kim Welch Law, a dog bite injuries lawyer, understands the legal process of investigating a dog bite case and recovering damages from the liable party while you focus on recovering physically and mentally.
If a dog has bitten you, seek medical treatment immediately. Document the scene and wounds and note any details you can remember. Get the information of the owner and any witnesses. Contact Kim Welch Law to determine if the owner was liable and a civil case for damages.
Many people do not know that the dog owner is liable for any damages from a bite. It can be complicated to pursue damages for injuries. Kim Welch Law will fight the legal battle for your claim while you focus on healing.
The dog owner is responsible for the dog bite regardless of if they knew the dog tended to bite. However, the owner has no liability if the victim was not legally allowed on the property and ignored warning signs.
The statute of limitations to bring a case against the dog owner after a bite is two years in Colorado.
After being involved in my first car accident, I didn’t know where to begin the legal process until I came across Kim and her team. They were truly amazing. Not only are they very professional, but also they care for their clients.
I could not be more thankful for Kim and her team! She is hands down the best representation to have for your car accident / injury case. Kim doesn’t back down and she doesn’t settle for anything less than you deserve.
Kim and her staff explained everything that needed to happen to file a claim, kept me informed, handled paying the bills (which were significant) and most importantly understood and advocated for us.
Coloradans love their dogs, especially those of us in Colorado Springs. It seems like no matter where you go, whether you are hiking the trails or knocking back a few cold ones at the local brewery, you’re sure to encounter a pup or two. In 2020, BringFido, a website that helps people find pet-friendly places to bring their canine friends, named Colorado Springs one of the top five most pet-friendly cities in the United States.
Unfortunately, dogs can pose a serious health risk to our communities. The American Veterinary Medical Association has reported that there are over 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year in the United States. Roughly one in five of those bites will require medical attention. If someone’s dog has attacked you or someone you care about, you may be able to recover compensation for your expenses with Kim Welch Law.
Unlike Denver, Colorado Springs does not have any breed-specific legislation because any dog is liable to bite, regardless of its size or breed. This means that it can be nearly impossible to foresee an attack–especially if you don’t know the dog. A dog’s personal history, past behavior, number of dogs involved, and the victim’s vulnerability are better able to predict the likelihood of whether a dog will bite than a dog’s breed or size.
Victims often suffer severe lacerations and puncture wounds that could cause significant scarring, blood loss, and even death. This is especially true if the victim is a small child. While only 12% of adults require medical treatment after a dog attack, more than double that percentage (26%) of children bitten by dogs need emergency medical care.
Over half of all dog bite victims are children. Children are unpredictable, noisy, and can be unintentionally aggressive with dogs (by pulling their tails, hair, or ears). This erratic behavior can trigger fear in some dogs, causing them to act out with aggression. Children under four years old have the most significant risk of severe injury because they are similar in height to many dogs, making them more likely to be bitten in the head or neck.
Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-124 designates strict liability regarding the behavior of dogs in Colorado. It states that a person who suffers serious bodily injury or death from a dog bite shall be entitled to bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner. “Strict liability” means that the victim is not required to prove that the dog’s owner knew that the dog was aggressive or had a tendency to bite.
When victims file suit for a dog bite, their compensation could include recovery of any of the following losses:
It is important to note that the Colorado dog bite statute does not place liability on the dog’s owner if the victim was illegally trespassing or disregarded warning signs on the owner’s property to beware of the dog. Victims may only pursue recovery for their damages if they were legally allowed on the property and did not provoke an attack.
Attorney Kim Welch is passionate about fighting for the rights of personal injury victims in Colorado Springs. She has made a name for herself in the Pikes Peak Region by offering compassionate, top-tier service to every client for over 29 years. As a result, Kim Welch Law was named one of the top three law firms in The Gazette’s 2021 Best of the Springs.
At Kim Welch Law, we know how devastating an attack by a dog can be. Unfortunately, medical bills can pile up quicker than the injuries can heal over. To find out if you may have a case against a negligent dog owner, give us a call at (888) 590-5510 or complete a contact form to schedule a free, confidential evaluation of your dog bite case. Virtual appointments are also available.
132 E. Las Animas St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
321 N. Pecos Rd., Ste. 300
Henderson, NV 89074
Kim Welch Law is an experienced accident attorney you need fighting for You in Colorado Springs & Las Vegas.