Douglas County · Colorado premises liability law
Highlands Ranch Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone else's property in Highlands Ranch? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Status-Based Premises Liability Law
Colorado does not use a one-size-fits-all rule for property injuries. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, the duty a landowner owes depends on why the injured person was on the property in the first place. We start every Highlands Ranch premises case by figuring out whether our client was legally an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser, because that classification shapes the whole case.
An invitee, like a shopper at a Highlands Ranch Parkway retail center or a customer at a business near University Boulevard, is owed reasonable care. The landowner has to protect against dangers it actually knew about or should have discovered through reasonable inspection. A licensee, such as a social guest in someone's home, is owed a narrower duty. The landowner has to use reasonable care for dangers it created and actually knew about, and has to warn of unusual dangers it did not create but actually knew about. That is not the same standard as the inspection duty owed to a customer, and we do not treat it that way.
A trespasser generally can only recover if the landowner willfully or deliberately caused the harm. We do not tell clients every trespasser is barred from recovery, because Colorado law does allow a claim in that narrow circumstance. Figuring out which category applies, and building the record to support it, is often the difference-maker in these cases.
Building the Record for a Highlands Ranch Fall or Injury
Because the landowner's duty turns on status and knowledge, we focus early on what the property owner actually knew or should have known about the hazard. That means photos of the condition, incident reports, maintenance logs, and witness statements from people who were in the area when the injury happened, whether that is near C-470, Highlands Ranch Parkway, or a business in Lone Tree or Littleton.
We also work to document the injury itself and connect it to the hazard. If our client was treated at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital or another facility, those records help establish the nature and extent of the harm caused by the fall or unsafe condition. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can request surveillance footage and other evidence before it disappears.
- Photos of the hazard from multiple angles, taken as soon as possible
- Names and contact information for any witnesses on scene
- The clothing and shoes worn at the time of the fall
- Any incident report filed with the property or business
- Medical records and bills from care related to the injury
Handling Premises Cases Around Douglas County
We represent people injured on properties throughout Highlands Ranch, from retail and commercial spaces along Highlands Ranch Parkway and University Boulevard to residential and business properties near C-470, Littleton, and Lone Tree. Premises cases here often involve a mix of property owners, management companies, and tenants, so identifying who actually controlled the property and knew about the hazard is part of our early work.
When litigation is necessary, these cases are typically filed in Douglas County at the Douglas County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly handle claims and court appearances for Highlands Ranch clients without asking them to manage the legal process alone.
What Damages May Be Available
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing rehabilitation or therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to recovery
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Highlands Ranch — 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.
Highlands Ranch Colorado premises liability law FAQ
Does it matter why I was on the property when I was hurt?
Yes. Colorado law bases the property owner's duty on whether you were an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. That status affects what the owner had to do to keep you safe and what we need to prove.
I was a guest at a friend's home in Highlands Ranch. Am I owed the same duty as a store customer?
No. As a social guest you are typically a licensee, which is a narrower duty than what a business owes its customers. The owner generally has to address dangers they created and actually knew about, or warn of unusual dangers they actually knew about.
Can I recover anything if I was technically trespassing?
It is possible in limited situations. A trespasser generally can only recover if the landowner's conduct was willful or deliberate, so these cases require a close look at the facts.
What if I was hurt at a business near University Boulevard or Highlands Ranch Parkway?
As a customer, you would typically be considered an invitee, which means the business owed you reasonable care against dangers it knew about or should have discovered. We look at inspection and maintenance practices to see if that duty was met.
Where would my case be handled if it goes to court?
Premises liability cases arising in Highlands Ranch are typically filed in Douglas County at the Douglas County Justice Center. Our office is in Denver, and we handle the court process for clients throughout the area.
Discuss a Highlands Ranch premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.