Colorado law entitles injured dog bite victims to recover economic damages from the dog’s owner, and in cases where negligence can be established, non-economic damages as well.

Economic damages cover the measurable financial costs associated with your child’s injuries. This may include:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
• Reconstructive and plastic surgery
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Future medical procedures, including scar revision surgeries
• Psychological counseling and therapy
• Lost future earning capacity if the injuries result in permanent impairment

Non-economic damages cover the ways the attack has impacted your child’s life beyond the financial costs. These damages are more subjective, which makes them harder to calculate, but they are often a significant part of the total compensation your child deserves. They may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Under Colorado’s strict liability laws, economic damages can be recovered in dog bite injury cases regardless of whether the dog had any prior history of aggression. Non-economic damages typically require demonstrating that the dog’s owner or another party acted negligently. Mr. Pushchak can evaluate the specific circumstances of your child’s case to determine which damages apply and how to pursue the maximum recovery.

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims is two years from the date of the attack. However, there is an important exception for cases involving minor victims. When the injured person is a child, the two-year statute of limitations does not begin until the child turns 18. This means your child technically has until their 20th birthday to file a claim.
Despite this extended deadline, waiting is rarely in your family’s best interest. Evidence becomes harder to gather over time, witness memories fade and medical documentation becomes more difficult to connect directly to the attack. Filing your claim as soon as possible gives Mr. Pushchak the best opportunity to build the strongest case and maximize your child’s compensation.

Yes. As a parent or legal guardian, you have the right to file a dog bite injury claim on behalf of your minor child. In Colorado, Mr. Pushchak will work directly with you throughout the process to pursue compensation for your child’s injuries, medical expenses and other damages.

This is one of the most common concerns parents have after a child is bitten by a familiar dog. In most cases, a dog bite claim is filed against the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than the individual directly. This means you can pursue fair compensation for your child’s injuries without necessarily creating a significant financial burden for someone you know.

Colorado’s strict liability laws protect dog bite victims regardless of the dog’s prior history, but provocation is one of the recognized defenses a dog owner can raise to reduce or eliminate liability. Insurance companies frequently use this argument to minimize claims involving children. Mr. Pushchak knows how to counter these tactics and can help establish the full extent of the dog owner’s responsibility.

The value of a child dog bite claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the extent of medical treatment required, the long-term impact on your child’s life and whether non-economic damages such as pain and suffering can be pursued. Cases involving serious injuries, permanent scarring or significant psychological trauma typically result in higher recoveries. Mr. Pushchak can evaluate the specific circumstances of your child’s case and give you a realistic assessment of its value during your free consultation.

Pushchak Law handles all child dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and there are no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your family. Our fee is a percentage of your child’s recovery that is agreed upon at the start of the process, so you’ll always know what to expect.