Jefferson County · Apartment and common-area injuries
Golden Apartment Premises Lawyers
Injured on stairs, ice, or a broken railing at a Golden apartment complex? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Landlord Responsibility for Common Areas
Apartment complexes in Golden often have shared stairways, entries, parking lots, and walkways that the landlord or property manager controls rather than any individual tenant. When a landlord possesses or is responsible for those common areas, the landlord can be treated as a landowner under Colorado premises law for injuries that happen there. That distinction matters because it determines who we look to for the hazard that caused the fall or injury.
We do not assume a landlord is automatically liable for every hazard inside a tenant's own apartment unit. Responsibility depends on who actually controlled the area or condition involved. A loose interior stair rail in a shared hallway is a different question than a hazard confined entirely to a tenant's leased space, and we sort out that control issue early.
Even in a common area, the injured person's status under Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. section 13‑21‑115, still applies and affects what the landlord owed. We evaluate why the person was on the property and how that status shapes the landlord's duty before we build the claim.
Building What Happened
Common-area falls at apartment complexes near Washington Avenue or West Colfax Avenue often come down to lighting, ice, worn stair treads, or a railing that was not maintained. We look at maintenance records, work orders, prior complaints, and who was assigned to inspect or repair the area. Photos of the condition, weather at the time, and any statements from neighbors or on-site staff all help establish what the landlord knew or should have known.
We also look at lease terms and property management agreements to confirm who was responsible for the space where the injury occurred. That paperwork often settles disputes about whether a hazard was in a tenant's private unit or in a common area under the landlord's control.
- Photograph the stairs, railing, lighting, or ice where you were hurt
- Report the injury to the landlord or property manager in writing
- Get the names of any staff or neighbors who saw the condition
- Keep copies of any prior complaints about the same hazard
- Save medical records from any treatment you received
Handling Claims in Golden and Jefferson County
We handle apartment and common-area injury claims for residents throughout Golden, including complexes near Washington Avenue, West Colfax Avenue, and along Colorado Highway 93, as well as nearby Lakewood and Arvada. These claims typically proceed in Jefferson County Courts, and we prepare accordingly from the start.
People hurt in Golden apartment complexes sometimes receive treatment at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. We can request those records as part of building your claim while we work with landlords, property managers, and their insurers.
What These Claims May Cover
- Medical bills for treatment of the fall or injury
- Future medical care if the injury requires ongoing treatment
- Lost income from missed work
- Pain and suffering from the injury
- Out-of-pocket costs related to recovery
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Golden — 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.
Golden Apartment and common-area injuries FAQ
Can I sue my landlord for a fall on the apartment stairs?
You may have a claim if the stairs were part of a common area the landlord controlled and the landlord knew or should have known about the hazard. We look at maintenance history and who was responsible for that area before advising you further.
What if I was hurt inside my own apartment, not a common area?
Responsibility inside a tenant's own unit depends on who controlled the condition that caused the injury, not just where it happened. We review the lease and the specific hazard to determine whether the landlord had any responsibility.
Does it matter why I was at the apartment complex when I was hurt?
Yes. Colorado's premises liability statute considers the injured person's status on the property, and that status affects what the landlord owed. This applies in common areas just as it does elsewhere on the property.
What evidence helps in a common-area fall claim?
Photos of the hazard, maintenance and repair records, prior complaints about the same condition, and witness accounts from neighbors or staff all help. We gather this evidence as part of building your claim.
Where would my claim be handled if I was hurt in Golden?
Claims arising from injuries in Golden typically proceed in Jefferson County Courts. We prepare your claim with that venue in mind from the outset.
Discuss a Golden premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.