Larimer County · Negligent security
Fort Collins Negligent Security Lawyers
Fort Collins negligent security claims: free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
When a Property Owner Can Be Responsible for an Assault
A crime committed by another person is not automatically the property owner's fault. Someone has to be responsible for the criminal act, and Colorado law does not treat a landowner as an insurer of every visitor's safety. But that does not end the analysis. Property owners who invite the public onto their premises owe a duty to use reasonable care for their safety, and in some cases that duty extends to the conditions that make an assault more likely.
For a person who qualifies as an invitee, the question can include whether the landowner knew or should have known about a danger on the property and failed to use reasonable care in response. Lighting that has been broken for a long stretch, locks that do not work, common areas with no staffing, or a security plan that was scaled back without explanation can all become part of that question when the facts support it. It is not enough to point to one bad incident and assume liability follows automatically. Each case turns on what the owner knew, what they could have done, and whether their response was reasonable.
We look closely at the specific property in Fort Collins where the assault happened, not general assumptions about the area. That means examining lease terms, prior complaints to management, maintenance records, and how the property was staffed and secured leading up to the incident. If the facts show the owner had notice of a problem and did little or nothing about it, that can support a negligent security claim.
Building the Record After an Assault on Someone Else's Property
Security evidence disappears fast. Video footage gets overwritten, maintenance logs get discarded, and management turnover can mean the people who knew about prior problems are gone. We move quickly to send preservation letters to property owners and management companies in Fort Collins, requesting incident reports, work orders for lighting and locks, and any prior complaints about safety on the property.
We also gather independent evidence: photographs of the scene showing lighting conditions and access points, statements from other tenants or visitors who may have complained about safety before, and records from law enforcement who responded to the incident. Medical records from providers who treated the injuries, including facilities like UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, help connect the assault to the harm you suffered and support the damages portion of your claim.
- Photos of lighting, locks, and entry points at the property
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Copies of any police report filed after the incident
- Records or texts showing prior complaints to management about safety
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
Handling Negligent Security Cases in Larimer County
Negligent security claims in Fort Collins can arise at apartment complexes, bars, retail centers, or parking areas near busy corridors like College Avenue, Harmony Road, or Mulberry Street. We have also handled cases involving properties in Loveland and Wellington. Each of these areas has its own mix of property types and management companies, and we tailor our investigation to the specific site rather than relying on general assumptions about crime in the region.
When litigation is necessary, these cases typically proceed through the Larimer County Justice Center. We prepare each case with the expectation that a property owner or their insurer may dispute both liability and the extent of the injuries, so we build the record accordingly from the start.
Damages We Pursue in Negligent Security Claims
- Medical expenses for treatment of injuries from the assault
- Future medical care if ongoing treatment is needed
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering related to the physical and emotional impact
- Costs tied to psychological treatment or counseling, when applicable
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Fort Collins — 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.
Fort Collins Negligent security FAQ
Can a property owner be held responsible if someone else committed the assault?
It depends on the facts. A property owner is not automatically responsible for a criminal act, but if they knew or should have known about a security problem and failed to use reasonable care, they may share responsibility. We evaluate what the owner knew and what steps they took or failed to take.
Does one prior incident at a property mean the owner is automatically liable?
No. A single past incident does not create automatic liability. It can be relevant evidence of notice, but the full picture, including what the owner did in response, matters just as much.
What kind of security failures matter in these cases?
Broken lighting, non-functioning locks, unstaffed common areas, or a security plan that was reduced without explanation can all be relevant. Whether any of these factors matter depends on whether they connect to how the assault happened.
I was assaulted at a property in Fort Collins. What should I do first?
Get medical care and file a police report if you have not already. Try to preserve any evidence you can, like photos of the scene, and avoid giving detailed statements to the property owner's insurer before speaking with an attorney.
Do you charge anything for an initial consultation?
No. We offer a free consultation to review the facts of your case, and we do not charge an attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Discuss a Fort Collins premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.