Property owners have a responsibility to maintain and care for their property, protecting the safety of anyone on it. Unfortunately, many shirk this duty, failing to provide a sufficiently safe environment and thereby placing individuals at serious risk of personal injury or illness.

Premises Liability Law in Colorado

In Colorado, premises liability is a specific kind of negligence that has two parts. Negligence occurs when an individual is found to have committed an action that falls below the standard of care a reasonable person would have exercised in a given situation. Gross negligence takes this concept a step further.

One: The landowner is responsible for the safety of those on the property

Two: If someone is injured on the property, the landowner may also be held responsible for the injury or illness

The landowner is defined as an authorized agent or person in possession of real property, or any person legally responsible for the condition of real property.

 

There are three statutes pertaining to premises liability and a judge will determine what category a victim falls under which delineates the damages that can be sought.

One: Trespasser- can seek only damages caused by the landowner deliberately

Two: Licensee- can seek damages caused by the landowner’s safety failures, known or unknown by the landowner, or not created by the landowner or usual to the property

Three: Invitee- can seek damages caused by the landowner’s safety failures known or unknown to the landowner

Even if the property owner does NOT know about the hazards within their property, he or she is responsible.

 

Slip and Fall Accidents

One of the most common premises liability accidents we see is slip and fall accidents. When properties aren’t properly maintained or signed to expose danger, slip and fall accidents are just around the corner.

The property owner must ensure safety to those who come onto and into the property. When negligent, accidents are a likely occurrence. It is the property owner’s responsibility to fix and/or mark when there are unsafe conditions due to:

• Construction problems
• Construction work or maintenance
• Deficient security
• Unsafe conditions (snow, ice, wet, oil, grease, anything slippery)
• Poor maintenance areas
• And more

If you are harmed due to a slip or fall because of inadequate property safety, our Thornton premises liability lawyers will vigorously fight to get you compensation.

Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious and long term health issues, including brain trauma, fractures, concussions, and knee, elbow, shoulder, and back issues. All of this can affect your financial wellbeing due to loss of work, whether temporary, intermediate, or permanent.