Adams and Weld counties · Apartment and common-area injuries
Northglenn Apartment Premises Lawyers
A fall in a Northglenn apartment stairwell or parking lot can be a landlord's fault. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
Who Is Responsible for a Northglenn Apartment Common Area
Apartment complexes in Northglenn near corridors like 104th Avenue and 120th Avenue often have shared stairs, entryways, breezeways, and parking areas that the landlord controls, not the individual tenant. When a landlord possesses or is responsible for maintaining those spaces, the landlord can be treated as the landowner for purposes of a premises liability claim tied to a hazard there, such as a broken stair, a loose railing, poor lighting, or an icy walkway.
That does not mean every hazard inside an apartment complex is automatically the landlord's problem. If a dangerous condition existed entirely inside a tenant's own unit and the landlord had no control over it and no responsibility to fix it, the analysis is different. Who actually controlled the area and the condition is the central question we look at before deciding who can be held responsible.
Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, still applies in common areas the same way it applies elsewhere. Whether the injured person was there as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser affects what duty the landlord owed and what has to be proven. We evaluate that status early because it shapes the entire claim.
Building Evidence in an Apartment Common-Area Case
These claims often turn on maintenance and control records: who was assigned to clear ice from walkways, who inspected stairwells and railings, and whether the property manager had received prior complaints about the same hazard. Lease agreements and property management contracts can help establish which party had responsibility for a given area, which matters directly to the landowner question under Colorado law.
We also look at photos of the condition, incident reports filed with the property office, and witness accounts from other residents. If the injury required treatment, records from a provider such as HCA HealthONE North Suburban Medical Center can help connect the fall to the specific hazard and the harm that followed.
- Report the incident to the property manager or landlord in writing
- Photograph the stairs, railing, lighting, or surface involved
- Get contact information for any witnesses nearby
- Keep records of any medical treatment you received
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with us
Handling Apartment Injury Claims in Northglenn
Northglenn has a substantial rental housing stock along corridors near I-25, 104th Avenue, and 120th Avenue, and bordering Thornton, with older multi-family properties that can have aging stairwells, railings, and parking lot surfaces. We work with clients living in these communities to identify which entity, whether an owner, management company, or maintenance contractor, controlled the area where the injury happened.
Depending on where the property sits, a claim may involve Adams County or Weld County, and litigation is typically handled through the Adams County Justice Center. We manage that process for clients while they focus on recovering.
Damages We Pursue
- Medical bills related to the fall or injury
- Future medical care if needed
- Lost income from missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage, where applicable
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Northglenn — 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.
Northglenn Apartment and common-area injuries FAQ
Is my landlord responsible for a fall on the apartment stairs?
It depends on who controlled and maintained that stairwell. If the landlord possessed or was responsible for the common area where you fell, they can potentially be held liable under Colorado's premises liability law. We look at lease terms and maintenance responsibility to answer this for your specific situation.
What if I fell inside my own apartment unit, not a common area?
That is a different analysis. A landlord is not automatically responsible for every hazard inside a tenant's own unit, especially if the landlord had no control over the condition and no duty to repair it. We would need to look closely at who was responsible for the specific problem that caused your fall.
Does it matter why I was at the apartment complex when I was hurt?
Yes. Colorado law classifies injured persons as invitees, licensees, or trespassers, and that status affects the duty the landlord owed you. This applies in common areas just as it does elsewhere on the property.
What kind of common-area hazards can lead to a claim?
Broken or uneven stairs, loose or missing railings, inadequate lighting in entryways or parking areas, and unaddressed ice or snow on walkways are common examples. The key factor is whether the landlord controlled or was responsible for maintaining that area.
What should I do right after falling in my apartment complex's parking lot?
Report the fall to the property manager in writing, take photos of the condition that caused it, and get contact information for any witnesses. Then reach out to us for a free consultation before speaking further with any insurance adjuster.
Discuss a Northglenn premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.