Jefferson County · Premises injuries
Lakewood Premises Liability Lawyers
Hurt by an unsafe condition on Lakewood property? We investigate and recover damages on contingency—no attorney fee unless we win.
How Premises Liability Works in Lakewood
Colorado premises-liability law holds property owners and managers accountable when dangerous conditions cause injury. Your right to recover depends partly on your legal status on the property—whether you were a customer, tenant, licensee, or trespasser—and what the landowner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard. A business on U.S. Highway 6 or West Colfax Avenue, a residential landlord in Lakewood, or a property manager in Golden has a duty to keep common areas reasonably safe or warn visitors of known dangers.
The landowner's knowledge is central to your claim. Did they know about the icy parking lot, the broken stair, the inadequate lighting? Or should they have discovered it through regular inspection and maintenance? These questions determine whether negligence exists. Evidence often disappears within days—snow melts, floors dry, video is deleted. Acting quickly protects your right to sue.
What Evidence Matters in Lakewood Premises Cases
Incident reports filed with the property manager or the Lakewood Police Department are a starting point. Surveillance video from the parking area, entrance, or hallway where you fell can show the condition, how long it existed, and whether warnings were posted. Inspection logs, cleaning schedules, and maintenance records reveal what the owner knew or failed to learn. Weather records prove whether it rained or snowed on the day of your fall—critical context for slip-and-fall claims on U.S. Highway 6 or Wadsworth Boulevard.
Photographs of the hazard, your injuries, and your medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital document the harm. Witness statements from other visitors or employees strengthen your account. Prior complaints from other injured people show the owner had notice of a recurring problem. We gather these materials quickly before they vanish, and we file requests with the Lakewood Police Department and property management to preserve crucial evidence.
Local investigations may involve Lakewood Police Department, scene conditions at businesses, parking lots, or sidewalks near Golden or Wheat Ridge.
Unsafe conditions—ice, spills, stairs, lighting, parking areas—can cause serious falls and injuries. Colorado premises-liability law holds property owners accountable only if they knew or should have known about the danger. Evidence disappears fast. Secure these items immediately:
- Photographs or video of the exact spot where you fell or were injured, including the hazard, lighting, and surrounding area
- Your own incident report or written account of what happened, when, and how
- Names, phone numbers, and contact details of anyone who saw the fall or injury
- Incident report filed with the property manager, store, or business
- Medical records and bills from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or your provider
- Clothing or shoes you wore; preserve damage or debris
- Weather records for the date (rain, ice, temperature)
- Prior complaints or reports you know of about the same hazard
- Inspection, cleaning, and maintenance logs for that area
- Surveillance video from nearby cameras (request from management immediately)
- Documentation of your identity and reason for being on the property (employee, customer, visitor, tenant)
- Incident report from Lakewood Police Department if law enforcement responded
Medical Treatment and Your Injury Claim
Emergency care at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or urgent care after a Lakewood property injury creates a medical record that ties your injury to the fall or hazard. Document all treatment: X-rays, physical therapy, follow-up visits, and ongoing pain or limitation. Medical providers' notes about how the injury occurred become evidence in your case.
Even if you did not go to the hospital immediately, see a physician or urgent-care provider within days of the injury. Delays weaken the connection between the accident and your symptoms. Keep records of all out-of-pocket costs, missed work, and treatment expenses. We use medical records and expert testimony to establish the severity of your injury and its effect on your life.
Official Lakewood hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages You May Recover
- Medical expenses: hospital bills, emergency room visits, imaging, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment related to your injury
- Lost wages: income lost while you recovered and unable to work, plus reduced earning capacity if the injury causes long-term disability
- Pain and suffering: compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the injury
- Scarring and disfigurement: damages for permanent marks, scars, or other visible effects of your injury
- Loss of enjoyment: compensation for inability to participate in hobbies, exercise, or daily activities you enjoyed before the injury
- Property damage: cost to repair or replace personal items damaged in the fall or accident
Jefferson County Courts in Golden apply Colorado law to calculate fair compensation, and we pursue every avenue—settlement negotiation and litigation—to recover what you deserve.
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 Premises injuries FAQ
What is my legal status, and does it matter in a Lakewood premises claim?
Yes, it matters. Colorado premises-liability law treats property owners differently depending on whether you were an invited guest, a customer, an employee, or a trespasser. Customers and tenants are owed a higher duty of care than trespassers. Your status affects what the property owner must have done to keep you safe. Document your reason for being there—employment agreement, lease, receipt, or witness to your presence as a customer—to establish your legal relationship to the property.
How long do I have to file a premises-liability claim in Jefferson County?
The deadline depends on the type of claim and who is responsible. If the property is owned or controlled by a public entity, Colorado requires written notice within a short timeframe—sometimes as little as 182 days. If it is private property, you have a longer window. Delays can forfeit your claim entirely. Contact our office immediately for a case-specific review of your deadline.
What happens if surveillance video from the incident disappears?
Businesses often record over security footage on a rolling schedule, sometimes within days or weeks. Request video preservation from the property owner or manager right away. If video is lost, we can pursue evidence of negligence through inspection logs, maintenance records, prior complaints, witness statements, and expert analysis of the hazard itself. Early action is critical—do not wait.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a premises injury case?
We handle premises-liability claims on a contingency fee basis. We earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won at trial. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Advanced case costs—such as medical record retrieval, expert reports, and court filing fees—are separate from the attorney fee and are your responsibility, though we discuss those costs with you upfront.
Can I sue if I slipped on ice or snow on a Lakewood property?
Colorado premises-liability law treats 'natural accumulations' of ice and snow differently than other hazards. Owners are not automatically liable for ice or snow that falls naturally, but they may be liable if they created an unreasonable hazard through negligence—for example, by blocking drainage, failing to warn, or using defective de-icing materials. The property owner's knowledge and maintenance practices matter. Gather photographs, witness statements, weather records, and maintenance logs to support your claim.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss your Lakewood claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.