Larimer County · Stairs and poor lighting
Fort Collins Stair and Lighting Injury Lawyers
Hurt on broken stairs or in a dark stairwell in Fort Collins? Free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Stairway and Lighting Claims Under Colorado Law
Broken steps, missing or loose handrails, and dark stairwells are property conditions under Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. That law sets out what a property owner owes based on why you were there, and it applies whether the stairs are inside a College Avenue building, a Harmony Road retail center, or an apartment stairwell off Mulberry Street.
Your status on the property still controls the case. If you were an invitee, we look at what the landowner knew about the hazard or what they should have known through reasonable inspection. A dark stairwell that hides a broken step is often the kind of hazard a property owner should have caught before someone got hurt.
We build these cases around the specific defect, not general building standards. We do not rely on a citation to a particular building code section. Instead we focus on the condition itself, how long it likely existed, and what the owner knew or should have known.
What We Look For After a Stairway Fall
Photos of the step, the handrail, and the lighting are the core proof in these cases, and they need to be taken before anything gets repaired or replaced. Once a property manager fixes a broken step or swaps out a burned-out light after a fall, that evidence is gone. We move quickly to document the scene, the specific defect, and the lighting conditions as they existed when you were hurt.
We also gather maintenance records, prior complaints about the same stairwell, and any inspection history the property may have. If you fell near College Avenue, Harmony Road, or in an apartment complex out toward Loveland or Wellington, we identify who owned and managed the property and what they knew about the stairs before your fall.
- Photograph the step, handrail, and lighting immediately, before repairs happen
- Note the time of day and how dark the stairwell was when you fell
- Get medical care and keep records of your treatment
- Write down what you remember about the stairs and any prior complaints you heard about
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the property's insurer before speaking with us
Handling Stair Injury Cases in Fort Collins
We handle stairway and lighting cases throughout Fort Collins and Larimer County, from commercial buildings along College Avenue and Harmony Road to residential stairwells near Mulberry Street. We're familiar with the mix of older buildings and newer developments in this area and how that affects stair and lighting conditions.
If your case needs to be filed, it would proceed through the Larimer County Justice Center. If you were treated for a stair fall injury at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or another local provider, we help gather those records to support your claim, whether the fall happened in Fort Collins proper or out toward Loveland or Wellington.
Damages We Pursue in Stair Injury Cases
- Medical expenses for treatment of fall-related injuries
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering from the fall and recovery
- Costs of ongoing care or physical therapy
- Permanent impairment from serious fall injuries
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 Stairs and poor lighting FAQ
Do I need to prove a specific building code was violated?
No. We focus on the actual condition of the stairs, rail, and lighting and what the property owner knew or should have known. Colorado's premises liability statute looks at the hazard and the owner's knowledge, not a citation to a particular code section.
What if the stairwell light was burned out for a while before I fell?
How long a hazard existed is important because it speaks to whether the owner should have discovered it through reasonable inspection. Evidence like prior complaints or maintenance records can help show the owner had time to notice and fix the problem.
The property fixed the step right after my fall. Is my case over?
No, but it makes documentation more urgent. If you have photos from before or shortly after the fall, or witnesses who saw the condition, we can still build a strong case even after repairs are made.
Does it matter whether I was a customer, tenant, or guest?
Yes. Your status on the property affects what the owner owed you under Colorado law. We evaluate your specific relationship to the property to determine the right legal standard for your case.
What should I do right after falling on stairs?
Take photos of the step, handrail, and lighting as soon as you safely can, get medical attention, and avoid discussing fault with the property's insurer. Contact us for a free consultation before repairs erase the evidence.
Discuss a Fort Collins premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.