Jefferson and Adams counties · Colorado premises liability law
Arvada Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone else's property in Arvada? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Classifies Your Claim
Colorado premises liability claims turn on a single statute: C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. It does not treat every injured visitor the same way. Instead, it sorts people into one of three categories based on why they were on the property, and each category carries a different duty owed by the landowner or business.
If you were an invitee, someone on the property for a business purpose, like shopping at a store along Wadsworth Boulevard or visiting a commercial building near Ralston Road, the landowner owes you reasonable care against dangers it actually knew about or should have known about. That is the strongest duty under the statute. A licensee, such as a social guest at a private home, is owed less protection: the landowner must avoid unreasonably failing to use reasonable care for dangers it created and actually knew about, and must warn of unusual dangers it did not create but actually knew about. That is a narrower duty than the one owed to a customer.
A trespasser generally can only recover if the landowner's conduct was willful or deliberate. That does not mean every trespasser is automatically barred from recovery, but the bar is high. Figuring out which category applies to your situation is often the first and most important step in evaluating a premises liability claim in Arvada.
Building the Case
Because your legal status on the property changes what you must prove, we start by pinning down the facts of why you were there and what the property owner knew. That means gathering incident reports, maintenance and inspection records, photographs of the condition that caused your fall or injury, and any statements from witnesses who saw what happened. We look for evidence showing the landowner had actual knowledge of the hazard, or should have, depending on your category under the statute.
We also work to obtain medical records connecting your treatment, potentially through Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, to the incident itself. Consistent documentation between the scene, the injury, and the medical response strengthens the link between the property condition and your damages, which matters no matter which duty applies to your claim.
- Photograph the hazard and surrounding area before it changes or gets repaired
- Get contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident
- Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or business
- Keep records of all medical treatment related to your injury
- Avoid giving statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with us
Handling Claims Across Arvada and Jefferson County
We handle premises liability claims arising anywhere in Arvada, from retail and commercial properties along Wadsworth Boulevard and Ralston Road to residential and industrial areas near I-70 and Indiana Street. Depending on where the property is located, your case may fall under Jefferson County or Adams County jurisdiction, and it may be filed in Jefferson County Courts in Golden or at the Adams County Justice Center.
Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly work with Arvada clients throughout the process, from the initial investigation through resolution. We know the layout of this area and how property boundaries can affect which court handles a claim, and we take that into account from the start.
Damages We Pursue
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing or future medical care needs
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Arvada — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Arvada Colorado premises liability law FAQ
What is the difference between an invitee and a licensee in Colorado?
An invitee is typically someone on the property for a business purpose, like a customer, and is owed reasonable care against known or discoverable dangers. A licensee, such as a social guest, is owed a narrower duty that focuses on dangers the landowner created and actually knew about, or unusual dangers it failed to warn about. The distinction matters because it changes what we must prove.
Can a trespasser ever recover damages in Colorado?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances where the landowner's conduct was willful or deliberate. It is not an automatic bar, but it is a difficult standard to meet. We evaluate the specific facts to see whether this applies.
Does the same duty apply to every store or business in Arvada?
The duty depends on your status as a visitor, not just the type of business. A customer at a shop near Wadsworth Boulevard is generally an invitee, but the specific facts of your visit still matter. We review each situation individually.
What if my injury happened at a private home?
If you were a social guest, you would likely be classified as a licensee under Colorado law, which carries a narrower duty than that owed to a business customer. The landowner's actual knowledge of the hazard is central to that analysis. We can help determine which category fits your situation.
Which court handles premises liability cases from Arvada?
Depending on the location of the property, a case may be handled through Jefferson County Courts in Golden or the Adams County Justice Center, since Arvada spans both Jefferson and Adams counties. We help determine the proper venue based on where the incident occurred.
Discuss a Arvada premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.