Boulder and Weld counties · Colorado premises liability law
Longmont Premises Liability Lawyers
Longmont premises liability claims turn on Colorado's status-based duty law. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado's Landowner Duty Law Applies
Colorado does not treat every injury on someone else's property the same way. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, the duty a landowner owes depends on why the injured person was there. That single fact often decides whether a claim succeeds, so getting the classification right matters from the start.
If you were an invitee, someone on the property for business purposes such as a customer at a Longmont retail store or restaurant, the landowner owes you reasonable care to protect against dangers it actually knew about or should have known about. That is the broadest duty under Colorado law. If you were a licensee, such as a social guest at someone's home, the duty is narrower. The landowner must use reasonable care for dangers it created and actually knew about, and must warn of unusual dangers it did not create but actually knew about. That is not the same as an inspection duty owed to a customer, and we do not treat it that way in building a claim.
A trespasser occupies the narrowest category. Recovery is limited to damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused. That does not mean every trespasser is barred from recovery, but it does mean the legal bar is higher. We evaluate where a client falls on this spectrum before we can tell them what the property owner owed them and whether that duty was breached.
Building the Case Under Colorado's Framework
Because the duty owed depends on status, evidence in a Longmont premises case has to establish two things: why the person was on the property, and what the owner knew or should have known. That might mean records showing a customer visit, an invitation to a private residence, or the circumstances of how someone entered a property. We also gather evidence of the hazard itself and any notice the owner had of it, since actual or constructive knowledge is central to invitee and licensee claims alike.
Medical records from providers such as UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital help connect the incident to the injuries claimed. We also look at where the incident happened, whether along Hover Street, near Ken Pratt Boulevard, along Colorado Highway 119, or at a property in the surrounding Boulder or Erie areas, since the type of property and its use often bears on what the owner knew about conditions there.
- Note why you were on the property: customer, invited guest, or other purpose
- Get medical care and keep records from your treatment
- Photograph the hazard and the surrounding area before it changes
- Identify any employees, witnesses, or property staff present
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with us
Longmont Courts and Property Types
Depending on where a Longmont incident occurred, a premises case may be handled through the Boulder County Justice Center or the Weld County Combined Courts, since Longmont sits across both counties. We handle filings and appearances in either venue.
Longmont includes a mix of retail corridors along Hover Street and Ken Pratt Boulevard, through-traffic areas near Colorado Highway 119, and residential neighborhoods stretching toward Boulder and Erie. The type of property involved, whether a commercial store, a private home, or another setting, affects which duty category applies and what evidence we prioritize.
Damages We Pursue
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care if injuries are ongoing
- Other out-of-pocket losses tied to the incident
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Longmont — 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.
Longmont Colorado premises liability law FAQ
Does it matter why I was on the property when I got hurt in Longmont?
Yes. Colorado law bases the landowner's duty on your status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Each category carries a different standard, so establishing why you were there is one of the first steps in any claim.
What duty does a store owner owe customers in Longmont?
A business customer is generally an invitee, and the landowner owes reasonable care against dangers it actually knew about or should have known about. This is the broadest duty category under Colorado's premises statute.
I was a guest at someone's home when I was hurt. Does the same rule apply?
Not exactly. A social guest is typically a licensee, and the duty is narrower than what is owed to a customer. The landowner must use reasonable care for known dangers it created and warn of unusual dangers it actually knew about, but it does not have the same inspection obligation owed to invitees.
Can a trespasser ever recover for a premises injury in Colorado?
It is possible but limited. A trespasser can only recover if the landowner willfully or deliberately caused the harm, which is a higher bar than the standards applied to invitees or licensees.
Which court would handle a Longmont premises liability case?
Because Longmont spans both counties, a case may be filed in the Boulder County Justice Center or the Weld County Combined Courts depending on where the property is located. We can advise on the appropriate venue after reviewing the details of your incident.
Discuss a Longmont premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.