Jefferson and Adams counties · Snow and ice falls
Arvada Snow and Ice Fall Lawyers
Arvada snow and ice fall on a sidewalk or entrance? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Treats Snow and Ice Falls
Snow and ice on a walkway, entrance, or parking area is treated as a property condition under Colorado premises liability law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. That statute ties what a landowner owes you to your legal status on the property and to what the landowner actually knew, or should have known, about the hazard.
Your status matters. A customer heading into a store or business in Arvada is often an invitee, which generally means the landowner owes a higher duty to address known hazards. Someone crossing private property for their own purposes, or without an invitation, may fall into a different category with a different duty owed. We do not assign a status to your case until we have the actual facts of where you fell and why you were there.
The landowner's knowledge of the ice or snow is central to a claim. That can include whether the condition was reported, whether the property had a history of drainage or runoff problems that refreeze, or whether staff walked past the hazard before you fell. We build the claim around what the property owner knew or should have discovered, not just the fact that ice was present.
Evidence That Supports a Snow and Ice Claim
Photos of the ice or snow, taken as soon as possible after the fall, are some of the most valuable evidence in these cases. We also look at weather records for the day and days before the fall, since they help show whether the conditions were the kind of ongoing hazard a property owner should have addressed. Whether the area had been plowed, shoveled, or treated with ice melt, and whether that work was done poorly or not at all, can also matter.
How long the ice or snow had been there before you fell is a fact we investigate case by case. We do not claim a set number of hours or days establishes liability, because Colorado law does not set a fixed timeframe. Instead we gather maintenance logs, employee schedules, witness accounts, and surveillance footage where it exists to show what the property owner knew and when.
- Photograph the ice or snow and the surrounding area before it melts or gets cleared
- Note whether the walkway had been plowed, shoveled, or salted
- Get contact information for anyone who saw you fall
- Report the fall to the property or store manager and ask for a written record
- Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing
Handling Arvada Snow and Ice Fall Claims
We handle snow and ice fall claims for people injured near Wadsworth Boulevard, Ralston Road, Indiana Street, and the I-70 corridor, where retail lots, entrances, and sidewalks see heavy winter foot traffic. Property maintenance in these areas varies widely by owner and management company, and that variation often shapes whether a claim can be supported.
Depending on where the fall happened and who owns the property, a claim may proceed through Jefferson County Courts in Golden or the Adams County Justice Center, since Arvada sits across Jefferson and Adams counties. People injured near Wheat Ridge sometimes receive care at Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital. We work from our Denver office and handle the details so you can focus on recovering.
Losses We Help Recover
- Medical bills related to the fall
- Future medical care if injuries require ongoing treatment
- Lost income from missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced ability to perform 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 Snow and ice falls FAQ
Do I have to prove the ice was there for a certain amount of time?
Colorado law does not set a fixed number of hours or days that ice must be present before a property owner is responsible. Instead, the question is whether the owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard. We gather evidence like weather records and maintenance history to answer that question.
Does it matter why I was on the property when I fell?
Yes. Your legal status, such as whether you were an invited customer or on the property for another reason, affects what duty the landowner owed you. We review the specific facts of your visit before determining how your claim fits under Colorado premises liability law.
What if the property owner says the walkway was already treated?
We look into whether the treatment was adequate and timely given the conditions. Plowing or salting once and then ignoring refreezing conditions can still leave a hazard, and we investigate that history.
I fell at a business entrance near Wadsworth Boulevard. What should I do first?
Photograph the ice and the entrance area, report the fall to management, and get contact information from any witnesses. Preserving this evidence early makes a real difference in supporting your claim.
Will my case be handled in Jefferson County or Adams County?
It depends on exactly where the fall occurred, since Arvada spans both Jefferson and Adams counties. We determine the appropriate court, whether Jefferson County Courts in Golden or the Adams County Justice Center, once we know the property location.
Discuss a Arvada premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.