Jefferson County · Colorado premises liability law
Lakewood Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone else's property in Lakewood? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Classifies Your Visit
Colorado does not use one general negligence standard for property injuries. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, the landowner's duty depends on why you were on the property when you got hurt. That classification often decides whether a claim moves forward, so it's one of the first things we sort out when a Lakewood client calls us.
If you were an invitee, meaning you were there for a reason connected to the property owner's business, such as shopping at a store along Wadsworth Boulevard or Kipling Street, the landowner owes you reasonable care against dangers they actually knew about or should have known about. That is the broadest duty under the statute, and it's the standard that applies to most customers and paying visitors.
If you were a licensee, such as a social guest at a private home, the duty is narrower. The landowner has to unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for dangers they created and actually knew about, or fail to warn of unusual dangers they knew about but didn't create. That is not the same inspection obligation owed to a customer, and we're careful not to overstate it when we evaluate a licensee claim.
Building the Record Under the Right Standard
Because your legal status on the property changes what the landowner had to do, we gather evidence aimed at that specific question. For an invitee claim, that means documenting what the landowner knew or should have known about the hazard, incident reports, maintenance records, and photos of the condition. For a licensee claim, we focus on what the landowner actually knew and whether they created the danger themselves.
Even a trespasser claim, though limited to damages caused willfully or deliberately by the landowner, requires evidence of intent or deliberate conduct rather than ordinary carelessness. We don't assume every trespasser is barred from recovery, and we don't assume every visitor is an invitee. Sorting that out early, with witness statements and property records, shapes the rest of the case.
- Photos of the hazard and surrounding area before it's fixed or removed
- Names and contact information for anyone who saw what happened
- Any incident report filed with the property owner or manager
- Medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or your treating provider
- Notes on why you were on the property that day
Handling Claims Around Lakewood
We work with clients injured at properties throughout Lakewood, from retail corridors along West Colfax Avenue to businesses near Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling Street. We also handle cases involving property owners in Golden and Wheat Ridge, since incidents near the Lakewood border often involve overlapping jurisdictions.
Lawsuits arising from these injuries are frequently filed in Jefferson County Courts in Golden. Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly represent Jefferson County residents and visitors, meeting with clients as needed to review property records, photographs, and medical documentation.
What You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing care or rehabilitation costs
- Property damage connected to the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lakewood — 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.
Lakewood Colorado premises liability law FAQ
What's the difference between an invitee and a licensee in Colorado?
An invitee is generally someone on the property for a purpose tied to the owner's business, like a customer, and is owed reasonable care against known or discoverable dangers. A licensee, like a social guest, is owed a narrower duty limited to dangers the owner created and actually knew about, or unusual dangers the owner knew about but didn't create.
Can a trespasser ever recover damages after an injury on someone's property?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. Colorado law allows a trespasser to recover only for damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused, not for ordinary carelessness.
Am I automatically considered an invitee if I'm injured on someone's property?
No. Your status depends on the reason you were there, and Colorado law treats invitees, licensees, and trespassers differently under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115. We review the facts of your visit to determine which category applies.
Where would a Lakewood premises liability case be filed?
Many premises liability claims arising in Lakewood are filed in Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We can explain what to expect based on where the property is located and where the owner resides or operates.
What should I do first after getting hurt on someone else's property in Lakewood?
Seek medical care, document the scene with photos if you can, and get contact information for any witnesses. Then reach out to us for a free consultation so we can evaluate your status on the property and the landowner's likely duty.
Discuss a Lakewood premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.