Slips and falls occur every year, resulting in the deaths and hospitalizations of thousands of people. Many of these accidents occur due to dangerous conditions on the property. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you might be wondering who is responsible for your injuries.
An experienced premises liability lawyer in Denver can investigate your case to determine responsibility.
Premises Liability Laws
First, let’s look at what the law requires to get a better sense of potential legal liability. Premises liability is the area of law related to the responsibilities of property owners and occupiers.
Under the Colorado Premises Liability Act, property owners, their agents, and others responsible for maintaining real property are required to maintain safe premises. They must take steps such as inspecting the property to identify hazards, promptly repairing discovered safety issues, and warning visitors about dangers. If they fail to uphold these duties, they may be responsible for the injuries and losses that result.
Possible Parties Responsible for Slip and Fall Injuries
Various parties could potentially be responsible for slip and fall injuries. A thorough investigation may be necessary to determine who was in control of the property, responsible for its upkeep, and negligent in allowing the accident to occur. Some of these parties could include:
- Owner: Property owners are responsible for exercising reasonable care to prevent slip and fall accidents from occurring on the premises. They may be the first party you look to for coverage.
- Landlords: Landlords are generally responsible for the common areas of properties they own, even if they rent out private units. Landlords could also include Airbnb rental owners.
- Tenants: Tenants or renters – even of commercial spaces – may be responsible for injuries that occur because of defects on the properties they have rented out.
- Property management company: Property management companies may have assumed liability for accidents that occur on properties they control.
- The government: If the accident occurs on public property, the government agency responsible for maintaining the property may be responsible for your injuries.
Any individual or entity that had a duty of care to maintain the premises for lawful visitors could potentially be a defendant in a Colorado slip and fall case.
Legal Options Following a Slip and Fall Accident
If you were injured while visiting someone else’s property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim to seek compensation for your damages. There may be a homeowners’, renters’, or commercial insurance policy designed for this purpose. Through an insurance claim, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Colorado has a two-year statute of limitations, so you must file your claim within this timeline to protect your right to compensation.
Contact Our Colorado Premises Liability Lawyers for Legal Help
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the legal team at Dulin McQuinn Young can help. Our slip and fall lawyers can investigate your case and determine who is responsible for your injuries. With this information, we can advocate for your full recovery.
Call us today to set up a free consultation.