Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties · Stairs and poor lighting
Aurora Stair and Lighting Injury Lawyers
Injured on broken steps or a dark stairwell in Aurora? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Stair and Lighting Claims Under Colorado Law
Broken steps, missing or loose handrails, and dark stairwells are property conditions covered by Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. Landowners and businesses in Aurora that maintain stairs for tenants, customers, or visitors have to keep them in reasonably safe condition, and a stairwell without working lights or a secure rail can create real fall risk, especially at night or in a building with heavy foot traffic.
What we have to prove depends on your status on the property. If you were an invitee, meaning you were there for a reason connected to the property owner's business, we look at what the landowner knew about the dangerous stair or lighting condition or what they should have discovered through reasonable inspection. That standard is different for a licensee or a trespasser, so your status at the time of the fall matters from the start of the case.
We are not going to cite a specific building-code section here, because code compliance is only one piece of the picture and the statute's standard is broader than any single code requirement. What matters is whether the condition was unreasonably dangerous and whether the property owner had notice of it, either because someone reported it or because it had existed long enough that a reasonable inspection should have caught it.
What Proves a Stairway Fall Case
Photos of the actual step, handrail, and lighting condition, taken as soon as possible after the fall and before any repair, are some of the most valuable evidence in these cases. Once a property manager fixes a broken step or replaces a burned-out bulb, that physical proof is gone, so we move quickly to document the scene, including wide shots of the stairwell and close-ups of the specific hazard.
We also look for maintenance and repair records, prior complaint or incident reports, and any security or building camera footage that might show the stairwell at the time of your fall. Witness statements from other tenants or visitors who noticed the same broken step or dark stairwell before your incident can help establish that the property owner had notice of the danger.
- Photograph the step, handrail, and lighting before repairs are made
- Get contact information for anyone who saw the fall or knew of the hazard
- Report the fall to the property manager or building owner in writing
- Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing at the time
- Follow up with medical care and keep records of your treatment
Handling Stairway Falls Across the Aurora Area
We represent people injured on stairs and in poorly lit stairwells throughout Aurora, from apartment buildings and retail centers along East Colfax Avenue to office and mixed-use properties near I-225 and Parker Road. Aurora sits across Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, so we regularly handle claims tied to properties in each of these jurisdictions, including cases arising near Centennial and along the E-470 corridor.
If your injury required hospital care, including treatment at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus, we help gather those medical records as part of building your claim. Depending on where the property is located, your case may be filed at the Arapahoe County Justice Center or in the court for the county where the injury occurred, and we handle that determination as part of our work on your case.
Damages We Pursue in Stairway Fall Cases
- Medical bills for emergency treatment, surgery, or physical therapy
- Lost wages from time away from work during recovery
- Pain and suffering from the fall and resulting injuries
- Future medical costs if your injury requires ongoing care
- Reduced earning capacity if the injury limits your ability to work
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Aurora — 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.
Aurora Stairs and poor lighting FAQ
Who can be held responsible for a fall on a broken stairway in Aurora?
Responsibility typically falls on the property owner or manager who controls the stairway, though it can also involve a business tenant if they were responsible for maintenance. We identify every party who had control over or responsibility for the condition of the stairs and lighting.
Does it matter why I was on the property when I fell?
Yes. Colorado law treats invitees, licensees, and trespassers differently, and the property owner's duty depends on which category applies to you. We evaluate your status early because it shapes what we need to prove about the owner's knowledge of the hazard.
What if the property owner says the lighting was fine?
We gather independent evidence, including photos, witness accounts, and maintenance records, to establish the actual condition at the time of your fall. Conflicting accounts are common in these cases, which is why documentation matters so much.
The stairs have already been repaired. Can I still bring a claim?
Repairs after your fall do not eliminate your claim, though they make early evidence gathering more important. We work with what is available, including photos you may have taken, witness statements, and any records showing the condition before repair.
Where would my case be filed if I was hurt on stairs in Aurora?
That depends on where the property is located, since Aurora spans Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. Your case may be filed at the Arapahoe County Justice Center or in the court for the county where the injury occurred, and we handle that determination for you.
Discuss a Aurora premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.