Boulder County · Snow and ice falls
Lafayette Snow and Ice Fall Lawyers
Lafayette snow and ice fall on a sidewalk or entrance? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Snow and Ice Claims Work in Lafayette
A snow or ice fall in Lafayette is a property condition case under Colorado law, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. That statute looks at your legal status on the property and what the landowner knew or should have known about the ice before deciding what duty was owed to you.
Your status matters. A customer walking into a business along Baseline Road or South Boulder Road is often treated as an invitee, which generally means the landowner owed a higher duty to address known hazards. Someone crossing private property for their own purposes may be treated differently, and we do not assign a status until we know the facts of your visit.
We also look at what the property owner or manager knew, and when. Whether they had cleared or treated the area, whether they had been told about the ice, and what their usual snow removal practice was all factor into whether they are responsible for your fall.
Evidence That Supports a Snow and Ice Claim
Photos of the ice or snow at the scene, taken as soon as possible after the fall, are some of the strongest evidence in these cases. We also gather local weather records for the Lafayette area to show what conditions existed before and at the time you fell, and whether the property owner had a reasonable opportunity to address them.
We look at whether the walkway, entrance, or parking area was plowed, shoveled, or treated with salt or ice melt, and how that compares to the property's normal maintenance routine. Witness accounts from other customers, employees, or passersby along corridors like South Boulder Road or U.S. Highway 287 can also help establish how long the hazardous condition had been there before your fall.
- Photograph the ice or snow, the surrounding area, and your footwear if possible
- Report the fall to the property owner, manager, or employee on site
- Get contact information from anyone who saw the fall or the condition beforehand
- Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing without cleaning them
- Follow up with medical care and keep records of what you're told about your injuries
Snow and Ice Falls Around Lafayette
Lafayette sees real winter weather, and property owners along Baseline Road, South Boulder Road, and near U.S. Highway 287 are expected to manage snow and ice on walkways and entrances used by the public. Falls happen at store entrances, parking lots, and sidewalks throughout the city and into neighboring Louisville and Boulder.
If you were treated for injuries from a fall, records from providers such as Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital can help document what happened. A Boulder County District Court case, filed out of the Boulder County Justice Center, may follow depending on the facts of your fall.
Damages We Pursue in Snow and Ice Cases
- Medical expenses related to the fall
- Future medical care if injuries require ongoing treatment
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering from the injury
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to your recovery
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lafayette — 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.
Lafayette Snow and ice falls FAQ
Does it matter how long the ice was there before I fell?
Yes, how long a hazardous condition existed can affect whether the property owner knew or should have known about it. We gather weather records, maintenance logs, and witness statements to help establish this, but we don't assign a specific time period without reviewing the facts.
I was a customer at a store when I fell. Does that help my claim?
Customers are often treated as invitees under Colorado law, which can mean the property owner owed a higher duty to address known hazards. We'll look at the specific circumstances of your visit before determining your legal status.
What if the property owner says they plowed the area?
Plowing or treating a walkway doesn't automatically clear a property owner of responsibility, especially if ice re-formed or spots were missed. We look at the timing and thoroughness of any snow removal efforts compared to the conditions at the time of your fall.
Do I need to report the fall to the business or property owner?
Reporting the fall creates a record that can support your claim later. Ask that the report include the date, time, and location, and try to get a copy or the name of who took the report.
What should I do with the shoes I was wearing when I fell?
Keep them without cleaning or altering them. They can help show the type of surface and condition involved in your fall.
Discuss a Lafayette premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.