Weld County · Colorado premises liability law
Greeley Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone's property in Greeley? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Sets the Landowner's Duty
Colorado premises liability claims are governed by C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, a statute that ties the landowner's duty to the reason the injured person was on the property. This is not a one-size-fits-all rule, and the first question in any Greeley premises case is which category the injured person falls into: invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
An invitee, like a customer at a store or business, is owed reasonable care against dangers the landowner actually knew about or should have known about through reasonable inspection. A licensee, such as a social guest, is owed a narrower duty: the landowner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for dangers the landowner created and actually knew about, or fail to warn of unusual dangers the landowner did not create but actually knew about. That is a different, more limited standard than what a business owes its customers.
A trespasser generally can recover only for injuries the landowner caused willfully or deliberately. Not everyone on a property is automatically an invitee, and the category matters. We evaluate the facts of how and why someone was on the property before we can tell a client what duty applied and whether it was breached.
Building the Case in a Greeley Premises Claim
Because the landowner's duty depends on the injured person's status, we look closely at the circumstances of the visit: was it a commercial visit, a social one, or something else. That classification shapes what we need to prove about what the landowner knew and when. We gather photographs of the condition, incident reports, maintenance records, and witness statements to establish actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard.
We also work to identify who controlled the property and whether that party had notice of the danger before the injury occurred. Property conditions change quickly, and businesses and homeowners in Weld County do not always preserve records voluntarily, so timely documentation matters. We handle that evidence-gathering so our clients can focus on their recovery.
- Photograph the hazardous condition and the surrounding area before it changes
- Get contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident
- Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or business
- Seek medical evaluation and keep records of treatment
- Avoid giving recorded statements to an insurer before speaking with us
Serving Greeley and Weld County
We represent people injured on properties throughout Greeley, including areas along 10th Street, 47th Avenue, and near U.S. Highway 34, as well as neighboring communities like Evans and Windsor. Premises liability cases arise at retail stores, apartment complexes, private homes, and other properties across these areas, and the applicable duty depends on the specific facts of each visit.
Greeley premises liability claims are typically filed in Weld County Combined Courts. Injured clients often receive treatment at Banner North Colorado Medical Center, and we coordinate with local providers as needed while building the claim.
What May Be Recovered
- Medical treatment related to the injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing care or rehabilitation needs
- Property damage connected to the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Greeley — 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.
Greeley Colorado premises liability law FAQ
Does it matter why I was on the property when I got hurt in Greeley?
Yes. Colorado law sets a different duty of care depending on whether you were an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. That classification affects what the landowner had to do and what we need to prove.
Am I automatically considered an invitee if I was injured on someone's property?
No. Not everyone on a property is an invitee. Whether you were there for business, as a social guest, or without permission changes the legal duty owed to you.
What duty does a landowner owe a social guest in Colorado?
A social guest is typically treated as a licensee, which is a narrower duty than what a business owes a customer. The landowner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for known dangers they created, or fail to warn of unusual dangers they actually knew about.
Can a trespasser recover damages after a premises injury?
Recovery for a trespasser is limited to injuries the landowner caused willfully or deliberately. This is a narrow path, but it is not an automatic bar in every case.
What should I do after a premises injury in Greeley before contacting a lawyer?
Document the condition with photographs, get witness contact information, report the incident, and seek medical evaluation. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company until you have spoken with us.
Discuss a Greeley premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.