Dog bite victims often suffer more than just a scratch; they face physical pain, emotional injuries, and significant financial strain. These incidents, especially when they result in serious bodily injury, deserve legal recognition and fair compensation. Understanding the average pain-and-suffering awards in dog-bite cases is key for injury victims seeking justice.
Dog bites can happen anywhere on public or private property and often come unexpectedly. Knowing your rights can be the difference between struggling with medical bills alone and receiving a fair settlement.
Let’s explore what factors influence pain-and-suffering compensation, how Colorado law handles dog bite liability, and what injury victims need to know to recover compensation they deserve.
Understanding Pain and Suffering in Dog Bite Claims
Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional toll a person experiences after a dog bite incident. It includes more than just the immediate physical pain; it also accounts for the emotional distress, trauma, and disruptions to the victim’s life.
Unlike economic damages (like medical expenses or lost income), pain and suffering fall under non-economic damages.
Pain and suffering in dog bite cases may include:
- Anxiety or PTSD triggered by future interactions with dogs
- Emotional injuries, such as sleeplessness or depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to scars, nerve damage, or fear of public spaces
In personal injury cases, especially involving dog bites, courts often calculate pain-and-suffering compensation based on the severity of the injury, the victim’s quality of life, and the emotional aftermath. For instance, a child bitten on the face by an aggressive dog may receive a higher award due to long-term trauma and visible scarring.
Colorado’s Dog Bite Laws: Strict Liability and Your Rights
Colorado enforces strict liability in dog bite cases involving serious bodily injuries. This means that a dog owner is legally responsible for a bite even if their dog has never shown signs of aggression before. This is a major shift from the one-bite rule used in some other states, which requires proof that the owner knew the dog could bite.
When Dog Owners Are Automatically Liable for Bites in Colorado
Under Colorado’s strict liability law (Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-124), a dog owner is liable for dog bite damages if:
- The bite caused serious bodily injury or death
- The victim was lawfully on public or private property
- The bite occurred without provocation
Key elements of strict liability:
- You don’t have to prove the dog’s aggressive behavior history
- You must show that you had a legal right to be where the bite happened
- You must demonstrate that the dog attack caused serious bodily injury
This law empowers dog bite victims to bring a dog bite injury claim without jumping through unnecessary legal hoops. However, proving liability can still involve complex legal steps.
What Impacts Average Dog Bite Settlements in Colorado?
Many factors shape the average dog bite settlement in Colorado. These include the type and severity of the injury, the impact on the victim’s life, and the available insurance coverage.
Key factors influencing dog bite settlement value:
1. Severity of Injuries:
Minor punctures receive less than more serious injuries like torn tendons, nerve damage, or permanent scarring.
2. Medical Bills:
Higher medical expenses (surgeries, ER visits, long-term therapy) typically increase total compensation.
3. Lost Wages:
Victims unable to work can claim lost wages, increasing both economic and non-economic awards.
4. Property Damage:
Damage to clothing, glasses, or other belongings may add to the settlement.
5. Victim’s Age:
Child victims or seniors often receive higher pain-and-suffering awards due to vulnerability and long-term consequences.
Insurance also plays a major role. Often, a homeowner’s insurance policy covers dog bites. A dog bite lawyer can review insurance coverage details, use data from the Insurance Information Institute, and negotiate based on policy limits. For more severe or disputed cases, victims may need to seek compensation in court to obtain a fair settlement.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can result in devastating and lasting harm. Some injuries are visible, others are emotional, but all can deeply impact a person’s daily life.
Common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Broken bones from being knocked over
- Infections such as rabies or cellulitis
- Nerve damage resulting in numbness or pain
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
- PTSD or phobia of animals
Victims can recover non-economic damages to account for this pain. This includes the anxiety of reliving the dog attack, fear of returning to work, and loss of confidence in public. Courts recognize that these emotional impacts deserve real financial acknowledgment in personal injury claim negotiations.
Legal Strategies for Proving Liability and Recovering Damages
Victims must build strong evidence to win a dog bite case in Colorado. Strict liability applies only when the bite causes serious bodily injury or death. In all other cases, victims must prove the dog owner was negligent, document their injuries, and show the owner failed to prevent the attack.
Steps to strengthen your case:
- Take photos of the dog bite injuries immediately
- Report the dog bite incident to animal control and police
- Get medical evaluations to show the full scope of bodily injury
- Collect witness statements, especially if the bite occurred in public
- Preserve evidence of property damage (torn clothing, broken glasses)
- Request a copy of the homeowner’s insurance policy
In court, dog bite attorneys argue based on both economic damages and non-economic damages. They present evidence to show the victim’s injuries directly resulted from the dog owner’s negligence or failure to control the animal.
When victims follow the right steps, they increase their chances of recovering damages, including lost income, suffering compensation, and long-term care needs. A strong claim can lead to fair compensation, covering not only what was lost but what the victim continues to endure.
What Victims Should Know About Fair Compensation
No two dog bite claims are the same. The average dog bite settlement reflects a wide range of cases, from minor bites to life-changing trauma. However, knowing what to expect can help victims make informed decisions.
In Colorado:
- Victims with minor injuries typically receive lower settlement amounts
- Moderate injuries involving infection or scarring usually lead to higher compensation
- Severe injuries or disfigurement often result in the largest settlements
A powerful example is the 2008 case of Renee Legro, who was mauled by two Great Pyrenees dogs while mountain biking in Eagle County. The attack occurred during a race at Camp Hale and caused significant injuries. Legro and her husband pursued a legal claim against the dogs’ owners, sheep ranchers Sam and Carrie Robinson. After years of litigation and appeals, the Robinsons’ insurance company agreed to pay a $1 million settlement. The case highlights how serious injuries and strong liability evidence can lead to substantial compensation (Source: CBS NEWS).
It’s important to weigh both visible and invisible injuries. Emotional distress, lost wages, and future medical care matter just as much as immediate trauma. While some dog owners attempt to escape liability, Colorado law favors the victim when the incident meets strict liability standards.
Victims should not rush into a quick settlement offer that undervalues the long-term costs of trauma and healing. Instead, carefully document all expenses and speak to a qualified dog bite attorney to pursue a fair settlement that truly reflects the suffering endured.
Don’t Suffer in Silence: Explore Your Right to Compensation
A dog bite can leave more than physical wounds; it can change your life. Whether you’re facing medical bills, lost income, or ongoing trauma, Colorado law gives you the power to act. The average pain-and-suffering awards in Colorado dog-bite cases show that the justice system takes these injuries seriously, especially when serious physical or emotional injuries are involved.
At Bourassa Law Group, we understand what injury victims face after a dog bite attack. Our personal injury attorneys provide compassionate, experienced guidance to help you recover compensation for your physical and emotional harm. If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite, don’t wait.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation, and let us help you hold the responsible party accountable so you can focus on healing.
1-800-870-8910