Douglas County · Colorado premises liability law
Lone Tree Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone else's property in Lone Tree? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Classifies Your Visit to the Property
Colorado premises liability claims turn on why you were on the property when you got hurt. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, the landowner's duty depends on whether the law treats you as an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser. That classification shapes what the landowner had to do to keep you safe, and it shapes what we have to prove.
If you were an invitee, such as a customer at a Lone Tree business, the landowner owed you reasonable care against dangers it actually knew about or should have known about through reasonable inspection. If you were a licensee, such as a social guest in a private home, the duty is narrower. The landowner had to avoid unreasonable failure to exercise reasonable care for dangers it created and actually knew about, and had to warn of unusual dangers it did not create but actually knew about. That is not the same broad inspection duty owed to a customer, and we do not treat it that way when we build a case.
A trespasser's path to recovery is limited by statute to damages willfully or deliberately caused by the landowner. That does not mean every trespasser is automatically barred from recovery, and we do not assume that outcome without looking at the facts. We evaluate where you fall under the statute early, because it drives every other decision in the claim.
Building the Record for Your Classification
Because your legal status on the property changes what we must prove, we start by pinning down the facts of your visit: why you were there, what the property owner knew, and when they knew it. That means gathering incident reports, photographs of the condition, maintenance records, and witness statements from anyone who saw the hazard or your fall. We also look for prior complaints or repair history that shows the landowner had actual or constructive knowledge of the danger.
For injuries in Lone Tree, medical records from providers such as HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge help connect the incident to your treatment and losses. We also document the physical scene near where the incident occurred, whether that is a retail property along Lincoln Avenue, a home near Yosemite Street, or a business closer to C-470. Solid documentation early on makes it harder for a property owner or insurer to dispute what happened or claim they had no knowledge of the hazard.
- Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or occupant
- Photograph the hazard, the surrounding area, and your injuries
- Get contact information for any witnesses on scene
- Seek medical evaluation and keep all treatment records
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with us
Handling Premises Cases Around Lone Tree
Lone Tree sits in Douglas County, and premises liability lawsuits filed here typically proceed through the Douglas County Justice Center. We're familiar with how these cases move through that courthouse and what local judges and juries expect to see in terms of evidence and documentation.
We handle premises cases arising throughout the area, from retail and commercial properties near Lincoln Avenue and C-470 to residential incidents in Highlands Ranch and Parker. Wherever the fall or injury happened, we build the record needed to show what the landowner knew and what duty applied to you under Colorado law.
Losses We Pursue in Premises Cases
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing rehabilitation or therapy 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 Lone Tree — 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.
Lone Tree Colorado premises liability law FAQ
Does it matter why I was on the property when I got hurt?
Yes. Colorado law under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115 sets the landowner's duty based on whether you were an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. That classification affects what the property owner had to do to keep you safe and what we need to prove.
What if I was a guest at someone's home rather than a paying customer?
As a licensee, you're owed a narrower duty than a customer would be. The landowner has to avoid unreasonably failing to use reasonable care for dangers it created and knew about, and must warn of unusual dangers it knew about but didn't create.
Can a trespasser ever recover damages in Colorado?
It's limited, but not automatically barred. A trespasser may recover only for damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused, so the facts of how the injury happened matter a great deal.
Is everyone on a property automatically considered an invitee?
No. Colorado law distinguishes between invitees, licensees, and trespassers, and each category carries a different duty of care. We look closely at the purpose of your visit before evaluating the strength of a claim.
What should I do after getting injured on someone else's property near Lone Tree?
Report the incident, document the scene and your injuries, get witness information, and seek medical care. Then talk with us before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company.
Discuss a Lone Tree premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.