Under Colorado dog bite laws, homeowner association liability for dog bites is based on the status of the victim of the dog bite and whether or not association members were aware of the danger of dog attacks. A homeowner’s association is responsible for keeping the community safe from personal injuries like dog bites or slip and fall accidents, and they can be liable if these kinds of accidents occur on the premises. If a Colorado homeowner’s association allows dangerous dogs to roam in common areas in the community, then they may be responsible for injuries due to dog attacks that occur within the boundary of the community.
Why Dog Bite Victims Need a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in a managed community and feel that the homeowners association contributed to the dog bite incident because of their negligence, you need to contact a Denver area dog bite attorney to discuss the circumstances of your case. The Colorado personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., have years of experience in many different types of dog bite and personal injury cases, and they can help victims of vicious dog attacks get justice and compensation for their injuries.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws and Homeowner’s Association Liability
Under Colorado personal injury and premises liability laws, homeowners associations control the common areas in a community and are responsible for keeping residents and visitors safe. This includes maintaining sidewalks and common land like parks so that individuals don’t suffer personal injuries from slip and fall accidents or pedestrian accidents, but it may also cover dog bites. Homeowner association liability for dog bites depends on several factors, including whether the status of the dog bite victim and the actions of the association in regards to dogs on the property. Homeowners associations can enforce conditions and restrictions on dog ownership within the community to reduce risk of dog bite accidents.
Individuals Not Covered Under Dog Bite Liability Laws
The victim of a dog bite victim may not hold the homeowner association or individual dog owner liable if:
- The victim was not invited to the property, or they were trespassing;
- The homeowner’s association posted warning signs such as “Beware of Dog” or “No Trespassing”
- The dog bite victim is a Colorado law enforcement who was near the dog during the course of official duties;
- The dog bite victim antagonized or provoked the dog;
- The victim is a veterinary professional, groomer, other animal professional or shelter volunteer performing his or her duties; and
- The dog that bit the victim was performing hunting or farm work such as herding or wild animal control.
Your Dedicated Colorado Dog Bite Attorneys
The attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C., will help you hold negligent Colorado homeowners associations and dog owners accountable for allowing vicious dogs to attack visitors or residents of the community. We will bring our extensive experience with dog bite cases to bear on your particular case. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in a managed community, contact us for a free initial consultation.
