A slip and fall can happen in an instant. One moment you are stepping into a store or crossing a parking lot, and the next you are lying on your face in a considerable amount of pain. Every slip and fall accident is different, but they all require serious consideration of whether you can sue.
At Cimarron Ridge Legal Group, our talented team of premises liability lawyers in Telluride will carefully review the circumstances surrounding your fall. We will also analyze who you can hold responsible for the dangerous condition that upended you.
Colorado Premises Liability Law
Our state’s premises liability law requires that people who own or operate property keep it in safe condition for those who visit. In particular, owners/operators must address hazardous conditions that can cause a person to fall.
Some of the more common hazards include:
- Snow or ice
- Spilled liquid
- Uneven floorboards or loose tiles
- Condensation
- Worn carpet treads
- Broken pavement
- Debris or litter
- Missing handrails
- Uneven steps
- Poor or harsh lighting
One wrong step and a person can go tumbling to the ground where they can suffer devastating injuries.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Our clients have suffered many types of trauma after a fall, including concussion, fracture, strains or sprains, bruises, and back injuries. Remember that some of these injuries might develop slowly, so it is best to get to the hospital promptly. A doctor will order any necessary tests to determine whether you have been hurt.
Meaningful Compensation for Serious Injuries
Our clients can receive compensation for a variety of losses in a settlement or lawsuit. When you meet with a Telluride slip and fall attorney, discuss whether you have suffered:
- Medical expenses to treat your injuries
- Lost income or lost wages, if you were too hurt to go to work
- Property damage, such as a smashed smartphone
These types of financial losses are easy to calculate. But our clients can also receive money to make up for pain, suffering, disfigurement, disability, and pain and suffering.
There are some important limits on a victim’s right to compensation. For one, you will only receive as much compensation as the defendant has in insurance. Most businesses have liability policies with generous limits. But if you were hurt on public property, your damages are usually capped at $350,000.
Colorado also recognizes contributory negligence. This means a victim could contribute to his or her injuries. Any fault chargeable to a victim reduces their compensation by an equal amount. So a victim who is 40% to blame will receive 40% less in damages. If 50% to blame or more, then the victim can lose the right to sue.
Colorado’s Statute of Limitations
Injured victims must bring a claim promptly, otherwise they can lose the ability to sue. Colorado has a statute of limitations located at Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-102. It provides victims with two years to bring a lawsuit for compensation. If you wait too long, a judge will toss your case and you will receive no money at all.
Contact Our Telluride Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
Many defendants aggressively fight back these claims, and you need a seasoned advocate to help you while you recover. Give us a call today at (970) 644-5194 to schedule a free consultation. We can review your legal rights and begin building a case against the appropriate defendant.