Adams and Jefferson counties · Colorado premises liability law
Westminster Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone else's property in Westminster? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Colorado Law Classifies Your Visit
Colorado premises liability claims are governed by C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, which sets the landowner's duty based on why you were on the property when you got hurt. This is not a one-size-fits-all rule. The law separates people into invitees, licensees, and trespassers, and the duty owed changes depending on which category applies to you.
If you were on the property for a commercial purpose, such as shopping at a store or visiting a business open to the public, you are generally an invitee. Invitees are owed reasonable care against dangers the landowner actually knew about or should have known about. If you were a social guest, you're generally a licensee, and the duty is narrower: the landowner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for dangers it created and actually knew about, or fail to warn of unusual dangers it didn't create but actually knew about. That is a different, more limited duty than what a business owes its customers.
Trespassers face the toughest standard. A trespasser can only recover for damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused. Not every trespasser is automatically barred from recovery, but the bar is high. We look closely at why you were on the property and what the landowner knew before we tell you what kind of claim you have.
Building the Case Around Westminster
Because your legal status on the property changes the entire analysis, we start by pinning down exactly why you were there and what the property owner knew or should have known. That means gathering incident reports, photos of the condition that caused your injury, maintenance and inspection records, and any prior complaints about the same hazard. Witness statements matter too, especially anyone who saw the condition before you were hurt.
Westminster sits across Adams and Jefferson counties, and premises cases here can end up in either the Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts depending on where the property is located. We handle that jurisdictional question early so there's no delay in building your case. If you were treated at CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital or another facility, we also work to secure those medical records to connect your injuries to the fall or incident.
- Photos of the hazard and surrounding area
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Any incident report filed with the property or business
- Clothing or footwear worn at the time
- Medical records from any treatment you received
Westminster Properties We See
Westminster's commercial corridors along U.S. Highway 36, I-25, Federal Boulevard, and 120th Avenue bring heavy retail, restaurant, and business traffic, and that means more foot traffic across parking lots, entryways, and store floors where hazards can develop. We've also seen cases tied to properties near Broomfield, where the city's growth has added new shopping centers and mixed-use developments.
Because Westminster straddles both Adams and Jefferson counties, where your case gets filed can depend on the exact property location. We sort out that detail so you don't have to worry about it, and we focus on gathering the evidence that supports your specific claim, whether you were a customer, a guest, or someone else on the property.
What You May Be Able to Recover
- Medical expenses related to your injury
- Lost income if you missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care if needed
- Property damage in some cases
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Westminster — 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.
Westminster Colorado premises liability law FAQ
What if I was a social guest at someone's home in Westminster?
As a licensee, you're owed a narrower duty than a store customer. The property owner must not unreasonably fail to use reasonable care for known dangers it created, or fail to warn you of unusual dangers it actually knew about but didn't create. We'll look at what the homeowner knew and when.
Does it matter which county the property is in?
Yes. Westminster spans Adams and Jefferson counties, and your case may be handled in the Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts depending on the property's exact location. We determine that early in the process.
I was hurt at a store off 120th Avenue. What duty did they owe me?
If you were there as a customer, you were likely an invitee, meaning the store owed you reasonable care against dangers it knew about or should have discovered. That's a higher duty than what's owed to a social guest or trespasser.
Can I recover anything if I was technically trespassing?
It's difficult, but not automatically barred. A trespasser can only recover for damages the landowner willfully or deliberately caused. We'd need to evaluate the specific facts of what happened.
What should I do right after a fall or injury on someone else's property?
Take photos of the condition that caused your injury, get contact information for witnesses, and seek medical care if needed. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and keep a copy of any report filed.
Discuss a Westminster premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.