With our ever-changing weather, Colorado sees many slip and accidents that send people to the hospital with serious injuries. Anyone can slip and fall when walking outside or entering a private or public building. The key to bringing a claim is to identify the hazard that caused you to fall and determine whether the property owner could have fixed it.
The team of Glenwood Springs slip and fall lawyers at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group takes pride in holding landlords and others accountable when innocent victims are harmed on their property. Please contact us today to review your legal rights.
Premises Liability Duties
Colorado premises liability law imposes duties on those who own or manage property to keep it safe for visitors. Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-115 is the relevant law and identifies three categories of visitors:
- Invitee. The landowner invites this person to enter for the mutual benefit of both.
- Licensee. This guest enters the property for his or her own benefit but with the landowner’s consent or permission.
- Trespasser. A trespasser does not have permission to enter or stay on the property.
The duties the landowner owes differ by category but can be summarized as follows:
- An invitee can sue when the landowner fails to use reasonable care to protect against dangers he knows about or should know about.
- A licensee can sue when the owner fails to use reasonable care to address dangers he knew about or failed to warn of dangers not ordinarily present.
- A trespasser generally cannot receive damages unless the owner willfully injures them. There are exceptions for children.
Slip & Fall Hazards
Clients in Glenwood Springs can slip because of many types of hazards, such as:
- Ice and snow
- Litter or debris
- Uneven floors
- Slick carpets
- Spilled liquids
- Poorly constructed staircases
- Poor lighting
- Potholes or cracked pavement
For example, someone might smash a jar of pickles in the store, which causes a customer to slip and fall. Because the customer is an invitee, he can sue if the owner did not use reasonable care to check the aisles and promptly clean up the spill.
Why You Need an Attorney
Slip and fall claims are harder to bring than they should be. Many business owners hide their hazards and obtaining security footage is time consuming. The insurance companies that handle these claims are also uninterested in treating victims fairly.
This is where we can help. Our attorneys will preserve evidence and handle all communications for you. We can also investigate to find helpful evidence, such as security footage that shows the fall.
Your Right to Compensation
Our clients have received compensation for medical care income lost while recovering. Some of our clients cannot return to work for weeks as they struggle with concussions, fractures, and other serious injuries.
Our team can also seek compensation for pain and suffering and other intangible losses. In many cases, these damages are considerable. A concussion, for example, can lead to depression, irritability, and the loss of enjoyment of life. Meet with an attorney to review.
Speak with a Glenwood Springs Slip & Fall Lawyer
Colorado law limits victims to suing within the first two years following an accident, so reach out to a lawyer promptly. An attorney at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group can meet for a free consultation. So call (970) 644-5194 today.