Question 1

What Are Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?

Accepted Answer

Slip and fall accidents can occur due to a variety of hazardous conditions, including: 

	Wet or slippery floors from spills, leaks, or mopping 
	Uneven or broken sidewalks and flooring 
	Cluttered walkways and unsecured obstacles 
	Poor lighting in stairwells or parking lots 
	Missing or broken handrails 
	Ice or snow accumulation that was not properly cleared 
	Potholes 
	Cords Running across walkways 
	Unsecured ladders 
	Open cabinets or drawers 
	Spilled liquids that are not expeditiously cleaned up

Question 2

Who Can Sue for Slip and Fall Injuries in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Under Colorado premises liability law, individuals who suffer injuries due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property may have the right to sue for compensation. Colorado law categorizes visitors into three groups, each with different levels of legal protection: 
 
	Invitees: An invitee is someone who enters a property for the mutual benefit of both parties, such as a customer in a retail store or a patron at a restaurant. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, which includes maintaining safe conditions, conducting routine inspections, and promptly addressing known hazards. 
 
	Licensees: A licensee is an individual who has the property owner’s express or implied permission to enter but is visiting for their own purposes, such as a social guest at someone’s home. While property owners do not have to inspect for dangers, they are required to warn licensees of known hazards that may not be obvious. 
 
	Trespassers: Generally, property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers. However, there is an exception for child trespassers under the attractive nuisance doctrine—if a property has a potentially dangerous feature (like an unfenced swimming pool or abandoned machinery) that is likely to attract children, the owner may be liable if a child is injured.

Question 3

How is Negligence Proven in a Slip and Fall Case?

Accepted Answer

To successfully pursue a slip and fall claim, the following elements must be proven: 
 
	A hazardous condition existed – There was an unsafe condition that posed a risk. 
	The property owner, renter, or lessee knew or should have known about the hazard. 
	The hazard was not adequately addressed – The property owner, renter, or lessee neglected to make the area safe. 
	Causation – The hazardous condition directly caused the resulting injuries, such as if you slipped and fell due to water on a floor. 
	You were lawfully on the property and not trespassing.

Question 4

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Case?

Accepted Answer

If you have been injured in a trip and fall accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for: 
 
	Medical bills (past and future treatment) 
	Lost wages from missing work 
	Pain and suffering 
	Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs 
	Loss of earning capacity 
	Permanent disability or scarring 
 
These are only some of the possible types of compensation that may be owed in a slip and fall case; other types of compensation and damages may also be owed depending upon the circumstances of the case.

Question 5

What Are the Time Limits for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Colorado law has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, meaning you must file within two years from the date of an accident. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

Question 6

What Time Limits Apply if a Slip and Fall Injury Occurs on Government Property?

Accepted Answer

If your accident occurred on government property, additional legal requirements and much shorter deadlines may apply. The specific deadlines that will apply depending upon what governmental entity is involved. Because of the significantly shorter time period in which a suit must be filed, you should contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your right to seek compensation.

Question 7

What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

Accepted Answer

After a slip and fall accident, taking the right steps can help strengthen your case: 
 
	Seek Medical Attention – Your health is the top priority. 
	Report the Accident – Notify the property owner or manager and request an incident report. 
	Document Everything – Take photos of the hazard and location, if possible, and document all injuries that you suffered. 
	Collect Witness Information – Get names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident. 
	Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer – Legal guidance is crucial to maximizing your compensation.

Question 8

Can I Still File a Claim If I Was Partially at Fault for a Trip and Fall Accident?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but in some cases you may not be entitled to compensation. 

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20% of the judgment. If, however, you are found to be 50% or more liable for your accident, you will not be entitled to any compensation.

Question 9

Is a Store Owner Automatically Liable for a Fall in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

No, a store owner is not automatically liable for a slip and fall accident. Under Colorado premises liability law, the injured party must demonstrate that the store owner’s negligence directly contributed to the hazardous condition that caused the fall.  
 
To succeed in a claim, the victim generally needs to prove the following elements: 
 
	A hazardous condition existed that created an unreasonable risk of harm. 
	The store owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to address it. 
	The store owner’s negligence in failing to fix or warn about the hazard caused the injury. 
 
As mentioned above, Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that if the injured party is found to be 50% or more at fault, they may be barred from recovering compensation.

Question 10

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall Case?

Accepted Answer

While not required, having an experienced slip and fall attorney can significantly increase your chances of obtaining full compensation. Defendants and insurance companies will still use their lawyers even if a victim chooses not to retain a lawyer. Unless the victim of a slip and fall case is also a lawyer, defendants and their insurance companies and lawyers will not have a great concern about being taken to court, since the injured person will usually not know how represent themself in a trial. As a result, it’s always best to seek the assistance of an experienced slip and fall lawyer to maximize your chance of a good result.

Question 11

What If the Property Owner Says They Weren’t Aware of the Hazard?

Accepted Answer

Property owners cannot simply ignore dangers on their premises. If the hazard existed for an unreasonable amount of time and they failed to fix it, they may still be held responsible. Surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements can help prove they should have known about the dangerous condition.

Question 12

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer?

Accepted Answer

We represent slip and fall injury victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only receive a fee if compensation is obtained. We will also advance all litigation costs of your case so that you do not need to come out of pocket for any money while you case is proceeding (these costs are normally repaid from settlement of jury verdict proceeds).

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