City and County of Denver · Snow and ice falls
Denver Snow and Ice Fall Lawyers
Denver snow and ice fall on a sidewalk or entrance? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Snow and Ice Claims Under Colorado's Premises Law
Snow and ice on a sidewalk, entrance, or walkway is treated as a property condition under Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. That statute controls how these claims are evaluated, and it looks closely at your status on the property and what the landowner actually knew or should have known about the condition.
Your status matters. A customer walking into a Denver store or restaurant is generally there as an invitee, which carries a different standard of care than someone crossing private property for their own purposes. We do not assume a status before we have the facts. We look at why you were there, whether you were invited, and what the property owner or manager knew about the ice before you fell.
These cases turn on knowledge and reasonableness, not just on the fact that ice existed. Denver winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and a property owner's response, or lack of one, to a known hazard is often central to the claim.
What Helps Prove a Snow and Ice Case
Photos of the ice or snow, taken as close to the time of the fall as possible, are some of the most valuable evidence we can have. We also look at weather records for the day and days before the fall, since they help show what conditions the property owner was dealing with and how long snow or ice may have been accumulating. Whether the area had been plowed, shoveled, or treated with salt or sand is another key fact, along with any maintenance logs or schedules the property may keep.
We do not tell clients that ice must have been present for a specific number of hours or days before a claim exists. Instead, we build the timeline from the evidence available: witness accounts, surveillance footage where it exists, maintenance records, and the weather itself. The goal is to show what the property owner knew or should have known, and whether their response was reasonable given the conditions.
- Photograph the ice or snow, the surrounding area, and any treatment like salt or sand
- Note the exact location, including the sidewalk, entrance, or business name
- Get contact information for anyone who saw the fall
- Seek medical care and keep records of your treatment
- Avoid discussing fault with the property owner or their insurer before speaking with us
Snow and Ice Falls Across Denver
Denver's neighborhoods each bring their own mix of foot traffic and property types. Busy entrances in Capitol Hill and Five Points, retail sidewalks in Cherry Creek, and mixed residential and commercial walkways in Highland and RiNo all see snow and ice claims. Whether the fall happened outside a shop, apartment building, or office, the property owner's obligation to address known hazards remains the same starting point for the claim.
We handle these cases in Denver District Court, in the City and County of Denver, and we're familiar with how local property management practices, from plowing contracts to salting schedules, come into play. If your fall required medical treatment, records from providers such as Denver Health Medical Center can help document your injuries and support your claim.
Damages We Pursue in Snow and Ice Cases
- Medical expenses related to the fall
- Lost wages if the injury kept you from work
- Pain and suffering
- Costs of ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
- Other losses tied directly to the fall
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Denver — 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.
Denver Snow and ice falls FAQ
Do I have to prove exactly how long the ice was there?
There is no set number of hours or days that ice must exist before a claim can succeed. Instead, we look at what the property owner knew or should have known and whether they acted reasonably given the conditions. Weather records, maintenance logs, and photos all help establish this timeline.
Does it matter why I was on the property when I fell?
Yes, your status on the property affects the legal standard that applies to your claim. A customer at a business is often treated differently than someone on private property for other reasons. We review the specific facts before determining your status.
What if the property had been plowed or salted before I fell?
Whether and how the property was treated is an important piece of evidence, but it does not automatically resolve the claim. We look at whether the treatment was reasonable given the conditions at the time, including how recently it was done.
What evidence should I collect right after a fall?
Photos of the ice, snow, and surrounding area are extremely valuable, along with the names of any witnesses. It also helps to note the time and exact location, since weather records for that period can support your claim.
Where would my Denver snow and ice case be handled?
Claims arising in the City and County of Denver are typically handled in Denver District Court. We're familiar with local property practices and how Denver's winter weather patterns factor into these cases.
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